Located on the western coast of

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Russia
Peterhof Palace in Saint Petersburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
According to the World Tourism Organization, Russia was the sixteenth-most visited country in the world, and the tenth-most visited country in Europe, in 2018, with over 24.6 million visits.^[440] According to Federal Agency for Tourism, the number of inbound trips of foreign citizens to Russia amounted to 24.4 million in 2019.^[441] Russia's international tourism receipts in 2018 amounted to $11.6 billion.^[440] In 2019, travel and tourism accounted for about 4.8% of country's total GDP.^[442]
Major tourist routes in Russia include a journey around the Golden Ring of Russia, a theme route of ancient Russian cities, cruises on large rivers such as the Volga, hikes on mountain ranges such as the Caucasus Mountains,^[443] and journeys on the famous Trans-Siberian Railway.^[444] Russia's most visited and popular landmarks include Red Square, the Peterhof Palace, the Kazan Kremlin, the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius and Lake Baikal.^[445]
Moscow, the nation's cosmopolitan capital and historic core, is a bustling megacity. It retains its classical and Soviet-era architecture; while boasting high art, world class ballet, and modern skyscrapers.^[446] Saint Petersburg, the Imperial capital, is famous for its classical architecture, cathedrals, museums and theatres, white nights, criss-crossing rivers and numerous canals.^[447] Russia is famed worldwide for its rich museums, such as the State Russian, the State Hermitage, and the Tretyakov Gallery; and for theatres such as the Bolshoi and the Mariinsky. The Moscow Kremlin and the Saint Basil's Cathedral are among the cultural landmarks of Russia.^[448]

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of Russia, Russians, List of cities and towns in Russia, and List of cities and towns in Russia by population