A comprehensive and accessible guide to Russian society and culture, which should appeal to students of Russian, travellers and anyone who wants to know more about the country, its history and its inhabitants. The book features chapters covering a wide range of topics, from a survey of Russian history; reviews of the key landmarks in Russian literature, music and dance, and art and architecture; through cinema, theatre, scientific achievements and space exploration; to coverage of politics, the education and health systems, transport, sport and leisure; and a chapter on the Russian language - its main features, its history, and current developments. Each chapter contains a taking it further section and language tips on how to write or talk about each topic.