About Moscow
Moscow is the capital and most populous city of the Russian Federation, with 12.2 million residents within the city limits and 16.8 million within the urban area. Moscow has the status of a Russian federal city. Moscow is a major political, economic, cultural, and scientific center of Russia and Eastern Europe, as well as the largest city entirely on the European continent.
With the Moscow Kremlin located in the heart of the city, Moscow is the seat of Russia's government. Just as the tsars once ruled over Russia, so now does the Russian president. Visitors to Moscow today can see architecture that dates to Ivan the Terrible's reign (such as St. Basil's Cathedral) and gain insight into how Russia's way of life has long differed from that of the West.
The main historical core of Moscow is Kremlin, which is located in the core of the city. Tverskaya street, which is the main avenue of the city, starts from the Kremlin and heads north to become Leningradskoye Shosse, which leads directly to St. Petersburg (750km).
Moscow has a radial structure, and the Garden Ring roaddefines the center of the city. A smaller Boulevard Ring defines the city's downtown.
To be able to find the right building on any street, it's useful to know that in Moscow house numbering starts from the center. Also, the odd-number houses are located to the left, and the even-number houses - to the right. So, if you're looking for Tverskaya st., #2, for example, it will be located very close to the Kremlin (which is the most central place in Moscow), on your right-hand side (if you turn your back to the Kremlin).
Sightseeing
1. Get to the Kremlin
2. Red Square
3. Get on the metro
4. Visit a gallery
5. Hop on a river boat
6. Take a trip to the ballet
7. Go shopping
8. Then head for the baths
9. Gorky Park
10. Art Muzeon Sculpture Park
Climate
Moscow is located in the middle of the continent, so the temperature is contintal, which means hot weather in Summer and cold weather in Winter.
The hottest months are July and August, when the temperatures can reach +30-35 celcius. They are followed by mild September, which turns into Indian Summer - the last warm days of the year usually in the end of the month. October sees the Autumn starting and the temperatures can go down to zero by the end of the month.
