• Area

  over 1,091 sq km

• Location

  European part of Russian Federation, between the Oka and the Volga Rivers, on the Moskva River.

• Geographic coordinates

  55 45 N, 37 37 E

• Population

  approx 10,407,000 (2005 est.)

• Foundation

  1147, by Duke Yuri Dolgorukiy

• Climate

  The climate varies from intensely cold winters to swelteringly hot summers.

• UTC/GMT Offset

  UTC/GMT + 3 hours

• Area code

  495

• Major attractions

  Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, Poklonnaya Mountain, Cathedral of Christ the Savior.