Moscow

Russia COUNTRY

12.537,954 CITY POPULATION

Mayor-Council GOVERNMENT TYPE

Introduction

Moscow is the capital of Russia, the largest city in the country and Europe, and one of the largest cities in the world. Moscow refers to global cities having a great influence on the world because of its high economic level and population. It is the main transport hub of Russia, its political, economic, cultural, and scientific center. The city is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and is well known for its display of Russian architecture such as the Saint Basil's Cathedral, the Red Square, and the Moscow Kremlin, of which the latter serves as the seat of power of the Government of Russia.

Data and facts

The population of Moscow in the year 2019 can be known after checking the population from the previous 5 years. It is evident that the population in the last 5 years has increased by 0.26 Million. Also, each year the population increases by 0.052 Million as per aggregate. Hence, the population of Moscow in 2019 as per estimates is 12.412 Million.
There's always something going on in Moscow: exhibitions, festivals, performances, excursions, concerts, quests, marathons among other events.
Moscow can boast of over 9.5 thousand sporting facilities, including over 4,000 gyms. The Russian capital is a frequent host of sporting events: marathons and competitions on a national and international scale.
Many international tourists are surprised at the number of parks, gardens, and garden squares they find in Moscow. There are over 120 of them here. We are mostly talking about spacious green areas with everything you could possibly need for comfortable recreation, including benches, Wi-Fi, cafes, pathways, sports facilities and much more.
The Russian State Library is the largest library in Europe. It contains over 45.5 million publications and documents in 367 languages, is located in the heart of Moscow, on Vozdvizhenka Street.
Social scientists state, that only 2% of Moscow's population of more than 12 mln people, are indigenous residents. Over the last 20 years, three million people migrated to Moscow from other regions of Russia, and the number of foreigners (excluding the CIS countries) who live here on a permanent basis is estimated to top 300,000 people. People from different countries and religions find life very comfortable in Moscow, with its Orthodox churches, synagogues, mosques, Catholic churches, Buddhist centers, and more.
Moscow has an underground river. The Neglinnaya River used to flow freely for centuries, but its western banks remained uninhabited due to constant flooding. A solution was presented in the 18th century. The Neglinnaya was diverted into a tunnel and the old portion was filled in. Now it runs underground and flows into the Moskva, and Neglinnaya Street follows the riverbed.

Administration

The Government of Moscow is the highest executive body of state authority of Moscow. The Government of Moscow is headed by the highest official of the city of Moscow, i.e. the Mayor of Moscow. The members of the Government of Moscow are the Mayor of Moscow, the Deputy Mayors of Moscow in the Moscow Government and the Moscow Government ministers. The Government of Moscow issues orders that are signed by the Mayor of Moscow. The Government of Moscow has legal personality. Structure and functioning of the Government of Moscow are established by the law of Moscow, adopted by Moscow City Duma. According to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, Moscow is an independent federal subject of the Russian Federation, a so-called city of federal importance.

Economy

Moscow has one of the world's largest urban economies, being ranked as an alpha global city, and is also one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world. Moscow is home to the third-highest number of billionaires of any city in the world, and has the highest number of billionaires of any city in Europe.

Infrastructure

The Russian government is pursuing a 6.3 trillion ruble ($96 billion) six-year modernization plan to revamp the country's highways, airports, railways, ports and other transport infrastructure through 2024. The comprehensive plan is geared toward improving the connectivity of Russian regions, as well as developing strategic routes including the Europe-Western China transport corridor and the Northern Sea Route. The plan stems from President Vladimir Putin’s ambitious domestic goals outlined after his inauguration last May. Under a presidential decree, a 3.5 trillion ruble investment fund was set up last summer to finance around 170 construction and other projects from 2019 to 2024.

Technology

Spending a few short days in Moscow is enough to see the impact technology plays in everyday life. Charging stations are available at train stations and bus stops, fares can be paid with digital wallets like ApplePay, and interactive digital maps show residents where their public transport is, and when it’s likely to arrive. It’s not just public transport benefitting from the internet of everything – government and public utility vehicles (ranging from snow ploughs to mobile street-cleaners) are also connected to a centralized system, monitoring and improving their operations. With positioning, speed, and fuel count all tracked, municipal transport can use optimized routes and minimize energy consumption – handy during cold Russian winters. The city is also ahead of the curve on many technological trends – not least of which, bitcoin, which can be deposited in over 100 one-way cryptocurrency ATMs across the city. Imagine the raised eyebrows when that development was first announced – but as recent headlines about Bitcoin’s sharply increasing share prices illustrate, the decision has since been vindicated.

Social Wellness and Human Resources

Education

Education in Russia is organized and coordinated by the state, which ensures that general education is free and available for everyone. Most schools are state schools but private schools have also been established in recent years. General education in Russia comprises three stages: primary education, which lasts for four years; basic general education lasting for five years and secondary education which lasts for two to three years. Russian general education is aimed at the intellectual, emotional, moral and physical development of the individual. It aims to develop the abilities that will allow a student to adapt to life in society as well as helping individuals to make conscious choices concerning professional education. General education normally consists of 34 weeks of study per year and 27 to 36 hours of study per week. The academic year typically runs from 1 September to the beginning of June. School examinations are in June.

Health

Healthcare in Russia is free to all residents through a compulsory state health insurance program. However, the public healthcare system has faced much criticism due to poor organizational structure, lack of government funds, outdated medical equipment and poorly paid staff. There are several private, international medical centers in Moscow where English is spoken and where the healthcare is on par with expat standards. These clinics are generally very expensive, so it is highly recommended that expats take out private medical insurance to cover medical expenses in Moscow. Most insurance coverage plans will also include evacuation cover for emergencies or life-threatening situations.