Russia, a fascinating transcontinental country, stretching from Eastern Europe to Northern Asia, spans a distance of eleven time zones. This is an exquisite country of spacious mountains, crystal lakes, and fertile meadows that are adorned with snow-white forests of tundra and briskly moving rivers.
The distinguished history of Russia is derived from the ancient Slavic tribes combined with the impressive victories of Peter the Great and the Romanovs, which spanned until the modern development of the country in the 21st century.
The cultural heritage of Russia is even more remarkable and multifaceted than the country itself. Not surprisingly, more than twenty-nine of Russia’s cultural and natural heritage sites have been included on the UNESCO list of outstanding human values, which encompasses a significant stage in recorded history.
For centuries, the modern capital of Russia, Moscow, has been seen as a treasure trove of carefully preserved cultural traditions. Moscow, the heart of Russian tradition along with the Kremlin, which houses the executive branch of the government, is recognized by many as a fortress in the city. It has become a symbol of the country’s greatness, and its location is cherished since it overlooks the Moscow River, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square, and the unique Alexander Garden. Nowadays, Moscow remains the busiest subway system in Europe and ranks as the third busiest system in the world.
St. Petersburg has played a vital role in Russian history. As the historical capital of the great and famous Romanov Empire, it is also known as the Northern cultural Capital of Russia. It is a center of cultural, historical, and architectural landmarks. St. Petersburg is an imperial city of elegant canals and bridges, mesmerizing Neva, breathtaking white nights, and outstanding edifices.
When history recognizes the renowned cultural heritage of the world, Russian poets, scholars, musicians, and artists rightfully occupy the most honorable places in the list of those most often cited. Thus, the Golden Age of Russian classical literature presented the world such iconic writers as Alexander Pushkin, Nikolai Gogol, and Ivan Turgenev. In addition, the novels and stories by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy, and Anton Chekhov are considered to be some of the most extraordinary narratives of Russian history of their times.
Along with its unique educational system, Russia is a motherland of many eminent inventors and pioneers. Dmitry Mendeleev formulated the forecast version of the periodic table of elements. Yuri Gagarin was the first person to travel into space, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky created a musical legacy that included such classic lyrical works as Swan Lake and the Nutcracker.
Finally, the masterpieces of genius and visionary artists as Ivan Aivazovsky, Marc Chagall, Ilya Repin, Wassily Kandinsky, and Isaac Levitan complement the collection of the world’s most cherished and admired works of art.
Today, Russia is the largest country in the world. It has a unique, multicultural, and diverse population that contributes to the development and strength of the foreign policy and diplomatic affairs of the country. Islam is the second most widely professed religion (14%) in Russia. Eleven of the eighty-five federal subjects, the main administrative divisions in Russia, which includes Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, and the five Republics of the North Caucasus, are Muslim-majority regions. These regions are grouped into eight Federal Districts.
Russian Muslims have played an essential role in strengthening relations between Russia and the Islamic world. Over time, they have maintained close cultural and economic cooperation with Islamic states, especially Saudi Arabia. The history of these strong ties is rooted in the contribution of Tatar merchants to the development of Islamic civilization in Russia. The Azimov Mosque, constructed in 1887, is considered to be one of the prime examples of these efforts.
Bilateral Relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Russian Federation
The history of bilateral diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Russia dates back to 1926. At that time, the work of the government of the Soviet Union helped the country to become the first to establish full diplomatic ties with the Kingdom of Hejaz and Najd.
Over the past nine decades, this collaboration has witnessed numerous achievements, along with many periods of turmoil. However, because of the strong leadership of these two countries, in the 21st century, Saudi-Russia ties are considered to be a stable and reliable collaboration based on mutual respect and trust.
In 2017, King Salman began a new era of cooperation with Russia during his historic four-day visit to Moscow. During this visit, the leadership signed more than fifteen agreements on cooperation; in such vital areas as oil production, military preparedness, and space sectors. On this occasion, Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, noted that Saudi-Russian relations “have reached a new qualitative level.”
Saudi Arabia and Russia have taken similar positions regarding the Middle East conflict settlement based on a “two-state solution.” Therefore, the joint fight against terrorism and extremism has been one of the critical aspects of this strong bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
In 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a state visit to Saudi Arabia. The Custodian of Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed President Putin to the Al-Yamama Palace.
During this visit, twenty significant agreements were signed, worth over $2 billion. The two countries have recently entered a new phase of cooperation. Currently, the Saudi-Russian Joint Committee is at work to accomplish the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, as well as the strategic development plans of Russia. At the same time, public and private organizations in Saudi Arabia and Russia are closely cooperating to achieve the goals and objectives of the binding agreements, signed in 2019.
In September 2019, for the first time in the history, Russia was included in the list of 51 countries, whose citizens could apply for a tourist visa to the Kingdom. Furthermore, on August 30th, 2020, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the governments of Saudi Arabia and Russia to simplify the issuance of these visas. According to this agreement, both Saudi and Russian citizens would be eligible for a multiple-entry tourist visa for six months, a business visa for one year, or a long-term business visa for five years. Humanitarian visas were also included in the agreement.
Where To Go
- The Bolshoi Theatre, the largest theatre in Europe, stages outstanding operas and ballets, including Swan Lake, the Sleeping Beauty, the Nutcracker, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, and Spartacus.
- The State Tretyakov Gallery is one of the most famous art museums in the world. The gallery houses more than 100,000 unique artworks from the 12th to the 20th century, including an entire millennium of Russian cultural development.
- The State Hermitage Museum, considered the gem of St. Petersburg, houses an art collection, which comprises more than three million works. It is estimated that it would take eleven years to, even quickly, view each exhibition.
- Peterhof or Peter’s Court is one of the most popular and well-known sights in St. Petersburg. It is often called the “Russian Versailles,” which served as the inspiration for Peter the Great to construct the masterpiece.
- It is impossible to walk more than a few hundred meters without crossing the bridge in the Northern Capital of Russia. The raising bridges at St. Petersburg, connecting the marvels of the city, is a sight not to be missed.
What To Do
- Stay at the Cosmos Hotel to feel examples of the Russian spirit and hospitality. An oasis of peace and tranquility, with a wide range of leisure, business, and entertainment opportunities.
- Shop at Arbat Street. The choice of items is immense, ranging from countless souvenirs, including amber jewelry, samovar tea sets, and matryoshkas, to elegant and luxury shops.
- Traveling along the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway is one of the most incredible tourist adventures in Russia. The journey from the Mongolian steppe to Lake Baikal’s remote shores, while viewing the snow-capped Ural Mountains, will provide an unforgettable experience.
- Those who love to travel in search of the harmony and serenity of nature will enjoy Lake Baikal, the largest lake in the world.
- Travelers looking to enjoy the splendid and fabulous season of winter in Russia are encouraged to visit Rosa Khutor, which offers all of the amenities of a world-class ski resort.
