Russia Map
Take a look at the Russia map. In territory Rusia is the largest country in the world. Russia has 11 time zones most climate zones besides tropical (most of its territory is artic though ). Russia stretches from Europe to Japan. This is an enormous country and it shares borders with many other countries like Belarus, Norway, Ukraine, Finland, Estonia, Mongolia, China and others. There are many 11 cities with over a million-people population such as Moscow (the capital of the Russian Federation), St. Petersburg, Nizhniy Novgorod, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Kazan and others. The map of Russia below will help see the country on the World Map. Take a look at Russia map here:
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Short tour of my hometown Yekaterinburg
At the end of February till the beginning of March, a week before the Lent (Великий пост), they celebrate Shrovetide (Масленица). This is the only authentic Slavic holiday that didn't get affected by anything and that still had some traits of heathendom - they cook pancakes that resemble the Sun - and tell you about the coming Summer. Among traditions of Shrovetide week - ice slides/hills going, riding colorfully decorated with carpets sledges (сани), singing songs and family partying. The culmination of the Shrovetide week is the farewell to the Shrovetide - the burning of a saw dummy of Shrovetide dressed in old clothes as a symbol of the Winter funeral of everything that has passes away and of the birth of everything new and full of strenth.
. So I was riding a bike through a local park called "Центральный парк культуры и отдыха" in Yekaterinburg and I saw a lot of people watching squirrels. I thought it was a good idea to videotape them. The kids were funny too screaming 'Мама, там белочка!' It's interesting how kids in different countries are alike. But they speak different languages and learn very fast. So I hope you like this video.
The First Holiday in the calendar is New Year. There is hardly any other holiday that is anticipated this much every year. Children dream about New Year gifts, and adults about their dreams coming true and everybody wishes happiness to each other on the New Year's Eve. In schools they have different performances and in offices they have New Year parties. However this holiday is very family-like that's why many people choose to celebrate it at home or with friends. They decorate a New Year tree and set up the holiday table.
At the present moment there are 7 govermnent holidays in Russia. Among them are those left from previous historiс eras and those related to the modern day. There are more days off than there are government holidays. For eхample, Christmas is not a government holiday but it is a day off