The Russian Federation extends over much of northern Europe and Asia. With an area of 17 million square kilometres, Russia is by far the largest country in the world, covering almost twice the total area of the next-largest country, Canada, and has enormous mineral and energy resources. Russia has the world's ninth-largest population, at approximately 143 million. Russia shares land borders with fourteen countries.

The Russian Federation was formed following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991. After the Soviet era, the area, population, and industrial production of the Soviet Union that were located in Russia passed on to the Russian Federation.

Russia is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. It is also one of the five recognised nuclear weapons states. Russia is the leading nation of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a member of the G8 as well as other international organisations.