Moscow

Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia.

It sits in Central Russia along the Moskva River. The city is a vital political, economic, and scientific center for Russia and Eastern Europe.

Moscow is a massive megacity. It is the northernmost and coldest megacity on Earth. It is also the largest city in Europe by land area.

It holds the title of the most populous city located entirely within the European continent.

The scale of Moscow is truly enormous. Over 13 million people live within the city limits. The urban area holds over 19.1 million residents. The wider metropolitan area reaches over 21.5 million people.

The city covers 2,511 square kilometers of land. The metropolitan area spans over 26,000 square kilometers. Despite this density, Moscow is one of the greenest cities in the world. More than 40 percent of the territory is covered by greenery.

The name "Moscow" likely comes from the Moskva River. Linguists believe the name has Proto-Balto-Slavic roots. The root *mŭzg- or *muzg- relates to the Proto-Indo-European word *meu-, meaning "wet." This suggests the river might sit in a wetland or marsh. Other theories suggest a Finno-Ugric origin. Some believe the Merya and Muroma people called the river Mustajoki, or "Black river." The modern Russian name, Moskva, evolved from older Slavic forms.

Moscow's history began long before its official documentation. Prehistoric hunters and gatherers lived on the site during the Neolithic period. Around 950 AD, Slavic tribes like the Vyatichi and Krivichi settled there. The city was first mentioned in chronicles in 1147. It was a minor town in the Rostov-Suzdal principality. By the 1150s, it became a fortified stronghold called a gorod. The first walls of the Kremlin were built during this era.

The Grand Principality of Moscow rose to power in the 13th and 14th centuries. Prince Daniel was the first prince of Moscow. His descendants expanded the territory to include the entire Moskva River. This river network helped Moscow become self-sufficient through trade. In 1380, Dmitry Donskoy won a major victory over the Mongols at the Battle of Kulikovo. This victory increased the prestige of Moscow's rulers. By the late 15th century, Ivan III united nearly all Russian states under Moscow. He even rebuilt the Kremlin using Italian Renaissance architects.

Political power in Moscow has shifted several times. In 1712, Peter the Great moved the capital to Saint Petersburg. This caused a decline in Moscow's importance during the imperial period. However, the capital moved back to Moscow in 1918 after the Russian Revolution. Moscow became the center of the Soviet Union. It saw massive population growth during the Soviet era. After the Soviet Union dissolved, Moscow remained the capital of the Russian Federation.

Today, Moscow is a global financial powerhouse. It has one of the world's largest urban economies. The city has the second-highest number of billionaires, tied with Hong Kong.

The Moscow International Business Center is a major financial hub. It contains many of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe. The city also hosts major global events. Moscow hosted the 1980 Summer Olympics and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Visitors find a mix of ancient and modern landmarks. Red Square is a famous historic site.

Saint Basil's Cathedral and the Moscow Kremlin are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Kremlin remains the seat of the Russian government. To move through the city, people use a massive transit network. This includes four international airports and ten railway terminals. The Moscow Metro is the busiest metro system in Europe.

The city also features a monorail and a tram system.