Quick answerMoscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, with 13,010,112 people inside the city limits in 2021. The wider metropolitan area had about 21.5 million people in 2021. It is best known for the Kremlin, the Red Square and Saint Basil's Cathedral. Its official language is Russian, and its currency is the Russian ruble.
Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, with 13,010,112 people inside the city limits and about 21.5 million in the metropolitan area (2021 Census). It stands on the Moskva River in western Russia and is home to the Kremlin, Red Square and Saint Basil's Cathedral.
Key facts
| Country | Russia |
|---|---|
| Population (city) | 13,010,112 (2021) |
| Population (metro) | 21,534,777 (2021) · Moscow metropolitan area (city + Moscow Oblast), 2021 Census |
| Time zone | Europe/Moscow |
| Language | Russian |
| Currency | Russian ruble (RUB, ₽) |
| Coordinates | 55.75583° N, 37.61722° E |
Overview
Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, on the Moskva River in the western part of the country. The city proper covers 2,561.5 square kilometres and had 13,010,112 people in the 2021 Census, while the wider metropolitan area, including Moscow Oblast, held about 21.5 million, making it the largest metropolitan area in Europe. Moscow uses Moscow Time, three hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time.
Moscow was founded in 1147 and became the seat of Russian rulers, first as the capital of the Grand Principality of Moscow and later of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. Its historic heart is the Kremlin, a fortified citadel beside Red Square, with Saint Basil's Cathedral, the GUM department store and the Bolshoi Theatre nearby. The city is also famous for its deep, richly decorated Metro stations, often called underground palaces.
Today Moscow is Russia's political, economic and cultural capital. It hosts the national government, the headquarters of the country's largest companies and banks, and museums such as the Tretyakov Gallery and the Pushkin Museum. The city is a transport hub for the whole country, and the Trans-Siberian Railway begins at its Yaroslavsky station.
What Moscow is known for
- Kremlin
- Red Square
- Saint Basil's Cathedral
- Bolshoi Theatre
- Moscow Metro
- Tretyakov Gallery
Landmarks
- Kremlin
- Red Square
- Saint Basil's Cathedral
- Bolshoi Theatre
- Tretyakov Gallery
- GUM
- Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
- Moscow Metro
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Moscow?
About 13.0 million people live inside the Moscow city limits (13,010,112 in the 2021 Census). The wider metropolitan area, which includes Moscow Oblast around the city, had about 21.5 million people in 2021. That makes Moscow by far the largest city in Russia and in Europe.
What is Moscow famous for?
Moscow is famous for the Kremlin, Red Square and Saint Basil's Cathedral, as well as the Bolshoi Theatre, the Tretyakov Gallery and its richly decorated Metro stations. It is also known as Russia's political and business centre and as the starting point of the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Where is Moscow located?
Moscow is in western Russia, on the Moskva River, about 400 kilometres east of the border with Belarus. It is the capital of Russia and of Moscow Oblast. Its coordinates are 55.76° N, 37.62° E, and its time zone is Moscow Time (UTC+3).
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Keep exploring
- Russia — the country Moscow is in
- Saint Petersburg — another city in Russia
- Novosibirsk — another city in Russia
- Yekaterinburg — another city in Russia
- All cities in Russia
- All countries — the full list
Sources & last updated
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.