Background: Russia

Independence: August 24, 1991 (from Soviet Union);

Adjacent Countries: Click Here for a map

Government: Federation; Capital: Moscow
Chief of State:
President Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN (acting since 31 December 1999, president since 7 May 2000)
Head of Gov't:
Premier Mikhail Mikhaylovich KASYANOV (since 7 May 2000)

Population (July 2001 est.):
145,470,197

Infant mortality rate (2001 est.):
20.05 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth (2001 est.):
Total Population: 67.34 years
Male: 62.12 years
Female: 72.83 years

Ethnic groups:
Russian - 81.5%
Tatar - 3.8%
Ukrainian - 3%
Chuvash - 1.2%		 Bashkir - 0.9%
Byelorussian - 0.8%
Moldavian - 0.7%
other - 8.1%

Religions:
Russian Orthodox, Muslim, other

Languages:
Russian, other

Literacy: (definition: age 15 and over can read and write)(1989 est.)
Total Population: 98%
Male: 100%
Female: 97%