Russia spans 11 time zones, from UTC+2 to UTC+12. There is a wide range: Cities like Moscow operate at UTC+3 year-round and Vladivostok at UTC+10.

No, Russia discontinued DST in 2011. Clocks remain consistent throughout the year.

The country’s vast expanse means significant variations. For example, Moscow (UTC+3) is 7 hours behind Vladivostok (UTC+10), and 5 hours ahead of Kaliningrad (UTC+2).

Russia is typically 2 to 12 hours ahead of most European countries and 8 to 16 hours ahead of the United States, depending on the region and DST in those countries.

Russia's economy is supported by diverse industries:

Energy: One of the largest global exporters of oil and natural gas.

Mining: Rich in resources like gold, diamonds, coal, and rare earth metals.

Agriculture: A leading producer of wheat, barley, and sunflower oil.

Technology: Growth in IT, aerospace, and defense sectors.

Manufacturing: Includes heavy machinery, automotive production, and chemicals.

Interesting aspects include:

Geography: The largest country in the world by land area, it spans Europe and Asia, featuring diverse landscapes such as tundra, taiga, mountains, and plains.

Trivia: Lake Baikal in Siberia is the world’s deepest freshwater lake, holding about 20% of the planet’s unfrozen freshwater.

Cultural highlights include:

Language: Russian is the official language, but over 100 minority languages are spoken throughout the regions.

Traditional Arts: Ballet, classical music, and literature hold significant cultural importance, with figures like Tchaikovsky, Tolstoy, and Dostoevsky being globally renowned.

Customs: Hospitality is valued, with traditions like offering bread and salt to guests as a symbol of welcome.

Food: Dishes like borscht, pelmeni, and blini reflect the country’s rich culinary heritage.