Look at the map of Russia, ask and answer the questions. 1. Is Russia situated in Europe or in Asia? 2. What is it washed by in the north, in the south, in the east and in the west? 3. What mountains are situated in Russia? Which is the highest mountain in Russia and in Europe? 4. What do the Urals separate? 5. What big rivers and lakes in Russia do you know? 6. Does Russia have a sea or continental climate? 7. Which parts of Russia are the coldest (the warmest)? 8. Which places in Russia have you visited?

Russia is situated both in Europe and in Asia. It is the largest country in the world. The western part of Russia belongs to Europe, and the eastern part belongs to Asia. So Russia is a Eurasian country.

Russia is washed by many seas and oceans.
In the north, Russia is washed by the Arctic Ocean and its seas, such as the Barents Sea, the Kara Sea, the Laptev Sea and the East Siberian Sea.
In the east, it is washed by the Pacific Ocean and such seas as the Bering Sea, the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan.
In the west, Russia is washed by the Baltic Sea.
In the south, Russia is washed by the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Caspian Sea.

There are many mountains in Russia. The most famous mountain ranges are the Urals, the Caucasus Mountains, the Altai Mountains, the Sayan Mountains and the mountains of Kamchatka. The highest mountain in Russia and in Europe is Mount Elbrus. It is situated in the Caucasus Mountains and is 5,642 metres high.

The Urals separate Europe from Asia. They are often called a natural border between the European and Asian parts of Russia.

Russia has many big rivers and lakes. The most famous rivers are the Volga, the Ob, the Yenisei, the Lena, the Amur and the Don. The Volga is the longest river in Europe. The most famous lakes are Lake Baikal, Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega. Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world and contains a huge amount of fresh water.

Russia mostly has a continental climate. The country is very large, so the climate is different in different regions. In many parts of Russia winters are cold and long, and summers are warm or hot. Some areas have an arctic climate, some have a monsoon climate, and the Black Sea coast has a milder climate.

The coldest parts of Russia are in Siberia and the Far East. For example, Yakutia is one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth. The warmest parts of Russia are in the south, especially near the Black Sea coast, for example in Sochi and other places in Krasnodar Krai.

I have visited Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Moscow is the capital of Russia, and it is famous for the Kremlin, Red Square and many museums. Saint Petersburg is a very beautiful city with palaces, bridges, canals and the Hermitage Museum. These cities are among the most popular places to visit in Russia.