Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia and the country's principal political, economic, financial, educational, and transportation center. It is located on the Moskva River in the Central Federal District, in the European part of Russia. The name of the city is usually pronounced in British English, and either or in American English. The city's population of 10.4 million constitutes about 7% of the total Russian population. Likewise, it is the most populous city in Europe. Historically, its position was central in the Russian homeland. It was the capital of the former Soviet Union and Muscovite Russia, the pre-Imperial Russian state. It is the site of the famous Kremlin, which now serves as the ceremonial residence of the President.