Russia is the largest state in the world in area. It is located on the continent of Eurasia, has access to three oceans - the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic. Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is a member of the Group of Eight, a group of eight of the most developed and influential states.
Instruction manual
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The name "Russia" comes from the word "Rus", first met in the writings of the Byzantine emperor Konstantin Bagryanorodny, who ruled in the X century. The origin of the term "Rus" and the nationality of the legendary Prince Rurik is still debated by historians. This can only be judged with varying degrees of certainty. Sources are ancient chronicles, for example, the famous "Tale of Bygone Years", created by the monk of the Kiev-Pechersky Monastery in the beginning of the XII century.
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According to the annals, in 862, the Varangian prince Rurik was called to reign by the inhabitants of North-Western Russia. And in 882, Prince of Novgorod Oleg, an associate of Rurik, who had died by then, having seized power in Kiev, united the lands of the northern and southern Slavs under his authority and laid the foundation for a powerful state - Kievan Rus. As a result of successful military and diplomatic activities, Kievan Rus became the largest state in Europe. Alas, then it fell apart into separate principalities.
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The onset of feudal fragmentation was accompanied by frequent and bloody feuds. And as a result of the devastating Mongol-Tatar invasion, part of the principalities fell under the power of the Golden Horde, and part - under the rule of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Novgorod lands were able to maintain and defend their independence.
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From the beginning of the 14th century, a new center of power began to take shape - the Principality of Moscow. Conducting a skillful and cautious policy, the Moscow princes gradually became more influential. The victory of Prince Dmitry Donskoy on the Kulikovo field in 1380 over the army of Khan Mamaia showed the weakness of the Golden Horde. And after "Standing on the Ugra" in 1480, the Mongol-Tatar yoke officially ceased.
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In 1547, Grand Duke Ivan IV, who went down in history with the nickname "Terrible", adopted the title of Tsar. Under him, the borders of the state expanded significantly, the Kazan and Astrakhan Khanates were conquered, the development of Siberia began.
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In Europe, the Russian state was called Muscovy. This continued until the era of Peter the Great. Having achieved his main goal (access to the Baltic Sea), Peter renamed the state into the "Russian Empire". It happened in the year 1721. Since then, the term "Russia" has become international.
