Russia

Spanning the easternmost part of Europe and the northernmost part of Asia, Russia's vast landmass extends across the entire continent. It has the fourth-longest coastline in the world, over 37,653 km, and straddles the northernmost edge of Eurasia. The country has a wide variety of ecosystems, including polar deserts, tundra, forest tundra, taiga, mixed and deciduous forests, forest steppe, steppe, semi-desert and subtropical regions. Approximately half of Russia's territory is covered by forests, and it has the world's largest forest area. The biodiversity of Russia comprises 12,500 species of vascular plants, 2,200 species of bryophytes, approximately 3,000 species of lichens, 7,000-9,000 species of algae, and 20,000-25,000 species of fungi. The fauna of Russia consists of some 320 species of mammals, more than 732 species of birds, 75 species of reptiles, around 30 species of amphibians, 343 species of freshwater fish, about 1,500 species of saltwater fish, 9 species of cyclostomes, and about 100-150,000 invertebrates. The Russian Red Data Book contains about 1,100 rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. Russia's diverse geography and climate have given rise to a rich cultural heritage, with a blend of European and Asian influences. The country is home to over 180 ethnic groups, each with their own distinct culture, language, and traditions. The Russian language is the official language, but many other languages are also spoken across the country, including Tatar, Bashkir, and Chuvash. The country has a long history of cultural achievement, with famous authors like Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, composers like Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff.