Russia

The largest country in the world, Russia is 4,971 miles from west to east (at the two most widely separated points) and encompasses no fewer than nine time zones. Its landscape comprises expanses of tundra, taiga (coniferous forest), deserts and steppes. Over the past decade, Siberia and the Arctic Circle have opened up to ecotourism and bespoke hunting expeditions, while the Kamchatka Peninsula has some of the best rainbow trout fishing in the world. The 2014 Winter Olympics will be held in the Caucasus Mountains above the Russian Black Sea resort city of Sochi.

Travel Caution: Acts of terrorism, including bombings and kidnappings, have occurred in Moscow and other major Russian cities during the past several years and are expected to continue. Before departing, view the U.S. State Department's regularly updated Consular Information Sheet on Russia at www.travel.state.gov.

CLIMATE: Subfreezing temperatures are normal in Moscow from mid-October until mid-April; summers can be surprisingly warm and sunny.

TIME: Moscow is eight hours ahead of New York (EST).

CURRENCY: Ruble (RUB). Fluctuating rate valued at RUB30 = US$1.00 as of October 2012.

U.S. EMBASSY: Moscow, Tel. (495) 728-5000. There is also a consulate in St. Petersburg, Tel. (812) 331-2600.

DIRECT DIAL CODES: To phone hotels in Russia, dial 011 (international access) + 7 (Russia code) + city code and local numbers in listings.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Passport and visa. Visit www.travel.state.gov, and for travelers’ health information, www.cdc.gov

GENERAL INFORMATION: Visit www.russia-travel.com before your trip.