Under Peter I (ruled 1682-1725), Russian hegemony was extended to the Baltic Sea and the country became the Russian Empire. During the 19th century, more territorial acquisitions for Russia were made in Europe and Asia. Defeat in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 contributed to the Revolution of 1905, which resulted in the formation of a parliament and other reforms. Repeated devastating defeats of the Russian army in World War I led to widespread rioting in the major cities of the Russian Empire and to the overthrow in 1917 of the imperial household. The Communists under Vladimir Lenin seized power soon after and formed the USSR. The brutal rule of Joseph (Iosif) Stalin (1928-53) strengthened Communist rule and Russian dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of lives. The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the following decades until General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev (1985-91) introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in an attempt to modernize Communism, but his initiatives inadvertently released forces that by December 1991 splintered the USSR into Russia and 14 other independent republics. (Source: CIA World FactBook)
A nice clear map of Russia from the CIA World FactBook.
Russia's population is steadily declining. Learn about the demographics and population of Russia
In late 1991 the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics began to crumble. Learn what happened to Russia and the fourteen other former constituents of the USSR.
A political map, comprehensive data, and flag from the CIA World FactBook.
Geography of Russia's Republics: Read this article to learn information about Russia's 21 republics from Geography at About.com.
A free blank outline map of Russia to print out for educational, school, or classroom use.
A large image of Russia's flag along with a description of the flag.
A clear and detailed Western Russia map along with basic geographic facts from Merriam-Webster. The map includes many cities and major physical features.
A clear and detailed Eastern Russia map along with basic geographic facts from Merriam-Webster. The map includes many cities and major physical features.
A nice collection of large detailed maps of Russia from the PCL Map Collection.
Great data and historical information from Infoplease.com.
Comprehensive book-length information from the Library of Congress. Published in 1998.
A great profile, including political history, from the U.S. State Department.
The flag of Russia and everything you ever wanted to know about the flag.
