Moscow

Geographical location
Moscow is the capital of Russia and the country's economic, financial, educational, and transportation centre. It is located on the Moskva River in the Central Federal District, in the European part of Russia. Moscow is the most populous city in Europe, whose population constitutes about 7% of the total Russian population.
The climate is temperate continental. Moscow is exposed to cold winters, warm and mild summers, and very brief spring and autumn seasons.

Administrative division
The city of Moscow was founded in 1147.
Moscow is the seat of power for the Russian Federation. At the centre of the city, in Central Administrative Okrug, is the Moscow Kremlin, which houses the home of the President of Russia as well as many of the facilities for the national government. This includes numerous military headquarters and the headquarters of the Moscow Military District. Moscow, like with any national capital, is also the host of all the foreign embassies and diplomats representing a multitude of nations in Russia. Moscow is also designated as one of only two federal cities - Saint Petersburg being the other - within Russia. Lastly, Moscow is located within the central economic region, one of twelve regions within Russia with similar economic goals.
The entire city of Moscow is headed by one mayor (Yuriy Luzhkov). It is divided into ten administrative okrugs and 123 districts. Nine of the ten administrative districts, except the City of Zelenograd (number 1 on the map), are located within City of Moscow main boundaries.

Culture
Moscow is the biggest educational centre of the Russian Federation. There are 85 higher educational establishments - 31 Universities and 19 Academies.
Moscow is a cultural centre of Russia as well.
World-known Moscow Theatres are Bolshoy, Maly, Arts Theatre, named after Vakhtangov on Taganka. Collection of paintings, drawings and sculpture are shown in the Tretyakov Gallery and Pushkin`s Museum of Arts etc.
There are 72 theatres, 109 cinemas, 31 concert halls, 78 museums and 142 exhibition complexes.

Economy
A significant portion of Russia's profits and development is concentrated in Moscow as many multi-national corporations have branches and offices in the city. The plush offices and the lifestyles of the typical corporate employee in Moscow are often indistinguishable from any Western European city, although the average salary for the Muscovite is lower. Since the Russian financial crisis in late 1998, various business sectors in Moscow have shown exponential rates of growth. Many new business centers and office buildings have been built in recent years, but Moscow still experiences shortages in office space. As a result, many former industrial and research facilities are being reconstructed to become suitable for office use.