Moscow is the capital and the largest city of Russia. Moscow is one of largest city economies in Europe and it comprises approximately 20% of Russian GDP.

Russia is in Northern Asia (the area west of the Urals is considered part of Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean. The climate ranges from humid continental in much of European Russia, subarctic in Siberia, to tundra climate in the polar north.

The official language is Russian. The younger generation commonly speak English, but the language barrier can be a problem with older business people and an interpreter is generally needed. French and German are the most commonly spoken languages after English. Knowledge of the Cyrillic script is essential for reading the names of streets and metro stations. The main religions are Christianity and Islam.

The economy of Russia is the eighth largest economy in the world by nominal value and the sixth largest by purchasing power parity (PPP). Oil, natural gas, metals, and timber account for more than 80% of Russian exports abroad.

In Russia dinners often involve a series of toasts, guests are generally expected to offer a reciprocal toast. Formal business dress is considered a sign of authority.

The security risk for expatriates in Russia is medium to high, but extreme for The North Caucasus. Risks include petty crime and poor infrastructure including roads, while violent crime involving expatriates is rare. Additional risks in the North Caucasus include conflict between security forces and militants, and kidnapping.

The currency of Russia is the Russian Rouble (RUB). US dollars or Euros are best for exchange in Russia at banks, hotels and airport exchange bureaux. Most hotels, restaurants and larger shops accept credit cards. ATMs are available in most major cities.

Medical facilities vary but are generally good, however the cost of treatment for expatriates can be high. Air quality in Moscow can worsen in certain weather conditions.

The population of Moscow is 16.8 Million (2016 est.), while the inflation rate is 4.3% (Mar 2017).

The cost of living for expatriates / professional migrants in Moscow as at 1 April 2017 is very high in comparison to other places in the world.

Moscow is ranked as a high degree of hardship location.