Useful information about Russia and the Urals

Money
All payments in Russia are officially made in rubles (1 ruble = 100 kopecks). Currency can be easily exchanged at banks. Some money exchange offices are open 24 hours.

Credit cards
Most banks and shopping centers accept Visa, MasterCard and Union cards. Cash machines are common and convenient in towns and cities only.

Public Holidays
January 1 (New Year)
January 7 (Russian Orthodox Christmas)
February 23 (Men's Day)
March 8 (International Women’s Day)
May 1 (The Day of Spring and Peace)
May 9 (Victory Day)
June 12 (Independence Day)
November 4 (National Unity Day)

Electricity
Electricity is 220volt/50hz.

Crime and Safety
It is enough safe in Russia. Following some simple rules will help you to avoid most dangers. When traveling in Russia never leave your bags unattended. Try to exclude night walks along through remote districts and parks. Don’t flaunt your valuables. In bars, pubs and trains never drink alcohol with unknown people.

Climate
Climate ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along the Arctic coast.

Passport & Visas
Citizens of most countries must obtain a visa prior to arriving to Russia. When you go through passport control into Russia, you will give the border official a filled-in migration card. You should be given the card back, and it should be stamped. You must carry this card with you at all times in Russia, and you may be asked for it when you leave. Also take a copy of your passport and visa to carry them with you.

Russian Cuisine
Russia has a rich culinary history and offers a wide variety of soups, dishes made from fish, cereal based products and drinks. In addition to meat culinary, vegetables, fruit, mushrooms, berries and herbs also play a major part in the Russian diet. Primordial Russian products such as caviar, smetana, buckwheat, rye flour, etc. have had a great influence on world-wide cuisine.

Russian specialities include: Pelmeni (ravioli), Blini (crêpes), Borshtsh (red soup/beetroot soup), Shtshi (cabbage soup), Manti (meat stuffed pasta), Vareniki (dumplings), Russian salads

Drinks
Vodka, imported liquors (rum, gin, etc), international soft-drinks, local soft drinks, distilled water. Beer in Russia is cheap and the varieties are endless of both Russian and international brands. Traditional Russian drinks: kvas (sour-sweet non-alcoholic naturaly carbonized drink made from fermented dark bread) and mors (traditional wild berry drink). Almost all Russian traditional drinks are original and are not present in other national cuisines.

Emergency numbers
Fire 01, Police 02, Ambulance 03.