Points of Russia: Exploring the Land of the Tsars

Exploring the Role of the Mafia in Russia If you've ever watched a movie or read a book about Russia, you've probably heard of the mafia or heard people discussing its role in Russia. But what exactly is the role of the mafia in Russia? Is it a powerful force to be reckoned with or is it a myth? In order to explore the role of the mafia in Russia, it's important to understand what it is and where it comes from. The origin of the word is loosely based on the Russian word for “swindler”, which is “mafiya”. The mafia is a crime organization than can involve racketeering, gambling, money laundering and other illegal activities. It is believed that the mafia originated during Czarist times and continued to flourish throughout the Soviet Union. Jakob Owens @ Unsplash The primary purpose of the mafia is to make money through illegal activities. It is estimated that the mafia earns around $150 billion each year. This money comes from activitie...

Examining Russian Regional Disparity As the largest country in the world, it should come as no surprise that Russia is a land of vastly diverse cultures and landscapes. While world travelers may focus on the magnificent cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Sochi, it's equally important to take a closer look at the many regions of the country and their unique contributions to Russian culture. In this article, we aim to do just that by taking a closer look at the dramatic differences between Russia's regions and examining the cause of these distinctions. Exploring the Regions of Russia Russia is composed of 85 federal subjects that are constituted into three basic categories: republics, oblasts, and federal cities. Although the exact separation of these regions isn't as clear cut as other countries, most Russian citizens identify with one of the main regions and consider it their region of origin. The eight federal districts of Russia help geographically divide the countr...

Understanding the Russian Economy Russia is one of the world’s leading economies and the largest country, covering an area of 6.6 million square miles. Its economy has seen its fair share of ups and downs throughout the years, from Communism to privatization and from boom-times to the economic crisis of the 1990s. But, despite this rocky road, Russia has managed to survive and rebuild, and is now an emerging economy that is on the rise. But what exactly makes up the Russian economy? Russia has a market-based economy that relies heavily on exporting oil and natural gas, which make up over 60% of the country’s total exports. Manufacturing, agriculture and construction also play an important role in the economy, accounting for more than 20% of GDP. Services make up a further 13% of GDP, with most businesses in the sector operating as small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Russia is the world’s largest exporter of natural resources, and the country’s primary export markets are Europ...