Moscow
Capital of Russia, largest city in Europe, and a historic center of power and culture.
Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, standing on the Moskva River in Central Russia. It has a population estimated at over 13 million residents within the city limits, over 19.1 million residents in the urban area, and over 21.5 million residents in its metropolitan area. Moscow is among the world's largest cities, being the most populous city entirely in Europe, the largest urban and metropolitan area in Europe, and the largest city by land area on the European continent. First documented in 1147, Moscow became the capital of the Grand Principality of Moscow, which led the unification of the Russian lands in the 15th century and became the center of a unified state. Following the proclamation of the Tsardom of Russia in 1547, Moscow remained the political and economic center for most of its history. During the reign of Peter the Great, the Russian capital was moved to Saint Petersburg in 1712. Following the Russian Revolution and the establishment of the Russian SFSR, the capital was moved back to Moscow in 1918. The city later became the political center of the Soviet Union. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Moscow remained the capital of the Russian Federation.
- Role
- Capital of Russia
- Status
- Active Metropolis
- Cultural Significance
- Imperial and Soviet Heritage Hub
Lore & Background
The city's name is thought to be derived from the Moskva River. The most linguistically well-grounded and widely accepted theory is from the Proto-Balto-Slavic root *mŭzg-/muzg- from the Proto-Indo-European meaning 'wet', so the name Moskva might signify a river at a wetland or marsh. The Old Russian form of the name is reconstructed as *Mosky, hence it was one of a few Slavic ū-stem nouns. Moscow has acquired epithets, such as the 'third Rome'. Moscow is one of twelve Hero Cities. The demonym for a Moscow resident is rendered as Muscovite in English. The site of modern-day Moscow has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Around 950 AD, two Slavic tribes, Vyatichi and Krivichi, settled here. Moscow is first mentioned in chronicles under the year 1147. The first prince of Moscow was Daniel, the youngest son of Alexander Nevsky, and in 1263 he was given Moscow as an otchina (hereditary land). The limestone walls and towers of the Kremlin were built in 1366–1368.
In Their Own Story
The wind howled through Red Square, carrying the scent of snow and roasted chestnuts. An old man in a heavy wool coat paused before the colorful onion domes of St. Basil's, his breath misting in the grey afternoon light. He remembered when this square was filled with marching boots and the roar of tanks; now, it held only the quiet shuffle of tourists and the distant hum of traffic from the Garden Ring. Inside the Kremlin walls, the golden spires caught a fleeting ray of sun, a defiant flash of color against the steel-grey sky, reminding everyone that Moscow had survived empires, wars, and winters to stand here, watching time pass.
Reader's Guide
Moscow is governed as a federal city, where it serves as the political, economic, cultural, and scientific center of Russia and Eastern Europe. Moscow has one of the world's largest urban economies. Moscow has the second-highest number of billionaires of any city (tied with Hong Kong). The Moscow International Business Center is one of the largest financial centers in the world and features the majority of Europe's tallest skyscrapers. Moscow was the host city of the 1980 Summer Olympics and one of the host cities of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The city contains several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is known for its display of Russian architecture, particularly in areas such as Red Square and buildings such as Saint Basil's Cathedral and the Moscow Kremlin, the latter of which is the seat of power of the Government of Russia. Moscow is served by a comprehensive transit network, which includes four international airports, ten railway terminals, a tram system, a monorail system, and the Moscow Metro, which is the busiest metro system in Europe and one of the largest rapid transit systems in the world. The city has over 40 percent of its territory covered by greenery, making it one of the greenest cities in the world.
Did You Know?
- Moscow is the northernmost and coldest megacity in the world.
- The Moscow Metro is the busiest metro system in Europe.
- Moscow has over 40 percent of its territory covered by greenery.
- The city's name may derive from a root meaning 'wet' or 'marsh'.
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