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Tips for Russia
(Rossiiskaya)
Contents:
Tips for
the Traveler
Visas
Health Issues and Risks
Time
Electricity, Weights
and Measures
At a Glance...
Capital People
Climate
Language
Religion
Government
Helpful Tidbits...
Links... |
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Tips
for the Traveler |
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Visas : |
Requirements are subject to change.
You need to carry ID at all times. See visa link below. |
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Health
issues and risks: |
Cholera, polio, rabies and typhoid.
Water
quality varies widely in Russia. Your best bet is to
drink and brush your teeth only with bottled water which
is widely available in supermarkets. Be careful to avoid
ice and raw foods and vegetables. Remember to bring
any medications you may need. Check with your health
insurer before you depart to ascertain your coverage in
the event of emergency. |
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Time: |
Time is GMT +3 for both Moscow &
St. Petersburg. |
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Electricity: |
220V, 50Hz.
The plug is
the two-pin thin European standard. Be sure to bring your
own converter as most places in Russia do not carry them. |
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Weights
& Measures: |
Metric |
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At
a Glance... |
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Capital: |
Moscow (Moskva) |
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People: |
Huge population where the majority
of people are ethnic Russians. |
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Climate: |
Winters in Russia (Dec-Feb) are
severely cold and summers are generally quite warm.
Spring and autumn are brief temperate periods between
these two extremes. |
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Language: |
Russian, English, French and German
are varyingly spoken. |
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Religion: |
Russian Orthodox, Muslim, Animist. |
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Government: |
Federal multi-party republic with a
bicameral legislative body. |
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Helpful
Tidbits... |
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In Russia, taxi fees
are usually negotiated with the driver ahead of time. Do
not use gypsy cabs or accept rides in cabs that already
have a rider. |
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Tipping is
increasingly expected at restaurants. Tip 10-15%
depending on service. It is typical to round up the
amount due to the next round figure. |
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Despite the recent rapid
improvements in the telecommunications infrastructure,
telephoning in Russia can be difficult and expensive.
Best bet is to use the phone at your hotel or use AT&T,
Sprint or MCI's USA direct services. Tokens or calling
cards are required for street pay phones, which can be
purchased at news stands, in some stores, and many kiosks. |
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Links |
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Travel
Diseases |
- a helpful
guide to all travel diseases |
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Russian Visa Link |
-
visa information from the Russian National Tourist Office |
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Destination Russia |
-
complete guide to Russia |
