Russia is a diverse country with multiethnic culture. More than four-fifths of Russia’s population is comprised of ethnic Russians. There are more than 120 ethnic groups, speaking some 100 languages within the borders. The Russian Orthodox Church is identified as a major element of Russian culture. More than half of the country’s population (about 53.1%) follows it. In addition to this, Muslims constitute Russia’s second-largest religious group.
Russia is a federal republic and, a multi-party representative democracy. The President is the head of state. The President is also the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The Prime Minister is the head of government. The legislature of the country is the bicameral Federal Assembly of Russia (parliament). It consists of the State Duma (lower house), and the Federation Council (upper house). The Chairman of the Federation Council (speaker) is the head of the legislature.
Russia has an upper-middle-income economy. Market reforms in the 1990s led to the privatization of much of Russia’s industry and agriculture. The economy of Russia is based on oil, gas, precious metals, agriculture, and arms exports. Russia relies primarily on energy revenues. 65% of Russia’s exports and 25% of its total revenue comes from energy.