Moscow - Main Detail

This article is about the capital of Russia. For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation).

Moscow (English) Москва (Russian)
Top left: Spasskaya Tower of Moscow Kremlin, Top right: Saint Basil's Cathedral, Middle left: Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Middle centre: Kotelnicheskaya Embankment building, one of Stalin's skyscrapers Middle right: Ostankino Tower, Bottom: Moscow International Business Center skyline
Coat of Arms	Flag
City Day: The first Saturday of September
Location of Moscow in Russia
Coordinates 55°45′6″N 37°37′4″E / 55.75167°N 37.61778°E / 55.75167; 37.61778
Country	Russia
Political status Federal district Economic region	Federal city Central Central
Code	77,97,99,177,197,199
- Area	1,081 km2 (417.4 sq mi)
- Elevation	156 m (512 ft) (VVC weather station)[1]
Population - Rank - Density - Agglomeration	10,524,400 inhabitants 1st 9,735.8 /km2 (25,215.6/sq mi) 14,837,510[2].
Head	Yury Luzhkov
Legislative body	City Duma
Charter	Charter of Moscow
Founded	Before 1147
Became the capital of Russia	1327
Capital moved to Saint Petersburg	1712
Capital moved back to Moscow	1918
Postal code	101xxx–129xxx
Dialing codes	+7 495, +7 499
Official website	http://www.mos.ru

Moscow (pronounced /ˈmɒskoʊ/ in British English or /ˈmɑskaʊ/ in American English, Russian: Москва (help·info), tr. Moskva, IPA [mɐˈskva]; see also other names) is the capital and the largest city of Russia. It is also the largest metropolitan area in Europe,^[3] and ranks among the largest urban areas in the world. Moscow is a major political, economic, cultural, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the world, a global city. It is also the seventh largest city proper in the world, a megacity. The population of Moscow (as of 1 June 2009) is 10,524,400.^[4]

It is located by the Moskva River in the Central Federal District, in the European part of Russia. Moscow sits on the junction of three geological platforms.^[5] Historically, it was the capital of the former Soviet Union, Russian Empire, Tsardom of Russia and the Grand Duchy of Moscow. It is the site of the Moscow Kremlin, one of the World Heritage Sites in the city, which serves as the residence of the President of Russia. The Russian parliament (the State Duma and the Federation Council) and the Government of Russia also sit in Moscow.

Moscow is a major economic centre and is home to one of the largest numbers of billionaires in the world;^[6] in 2008 Moscow was named the world's most expensive city for foreign employees for the third year in a row.^[7] In 2009, however, Moscow moved to third after Tokyo and Osaka came in first and second, respectively.^[8]

It is home to many scientific and educational institutions, as well as numerous sport facilities. It possesses a complex transport system, that includes 4 international airports, 9 railroad terminals, and the world's second busiest (after Tokyo) metro system which is famous for its architecture and artwork. Its metro is the busiest single-operator subway in the world.

Over time, the city has earned a variety of nicknames, most referring to its pre-eminent status in the nation: The Third Rome (Третий Рим), Whitestone (Белокаменная), The First Throne (Первопрестольная), The Forty Forties (Сорок Сороков.)^[9]

A person from Moscow is called a Muscovite in English, Moskvich^[10] in Russian.