Written by a diverse group of Russian scholars, this comprehensive cultural exploration of Russia serves as a compelling source of information appropriate for all readers interested in the region.Ten years after the United States attempted to “reset” its relationship with Russia, American and Russian relations remain fragile and incomplete, and—by some accounts—are deteriorating politically. Yet however challenging understanding Russia may be, the country is unquestionably an indispensable partner in the responsible stewardship of the global environment and in the maintenance of a safe and peaceful world. This volume synthesizes Russia’s complex history, culture, environment, and politics in such a manner that readers following current events concerning Russia will be better prepared not only to answer what is happening in Russia but also to explain why. Sixteen narrative chapters, structured into general overviews and topical entries, cover Russia’s geography, history, government, economy, education system, cuisine, literature, art, popular culture, and more. Each entry concludes with Further Readings and cross-references. Sidebars, a timeline, and numerous appendices round out the work. This new addition to the Understanding Modern Nations series addresses a breadth of topics and depth of information that both curious readers and more advanced specialists will find of interest and assistance, whether reading for pleasure or using for research.• Includes "Day in the Life" features that portray specific daily activities of various people in the country, from high school students to working class people to professionals, providing readers with insight into daily life in the country• Defines key terms related to the reading in a glossary• Highlights interesting facts and figures, including information on the military, industry and labor, and finances, in an appendix• Provides at-a-glance information about Russia's festivals and feast days with a chart of national holidays• Illuminates the text with photos and sidebars, helping to illustrate key topics and allowing students to dive more deeply into ideas