Translate from Russian into English.

1. Уральские горы отделяют Европу от Азии.

2. У России есть много возможностей стать одной из ведущих стран мира.

3. Россия очень богата нефтью, углем, железной рудой, природным газом, медью, никелем и другими полезными ископаемыми.

4. Волга впадает в Каспийское море.

5. Тихий океан омывает Россию на востоке.

6. Россия занимает около одной седьмой земной поверхности.

7. Экономическая ситуация в России довольно сложная.

MOSCOW

Moscow is the capital of Russia. It is its political, economic, commercial and cultural centre. Moscow was founded in 1147 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Prince Yuri Dolgoruky (Prince Long Arms) was the Russian Prince of Vladimir and Suzdal. Prince Yuri Dolgoruky had many fights with other Russian princes and soon he became Prince of Kiev. Kiev was the capital of Russia.

Gradually Moscow became more and more powerful. In the 13th century Moscow was the centre of the struggle of Russian lands for the liberation from the Tartar yoke. In the 16th century under Ivan the Terrible Moscow became the capital of the state.

In 1712 the Russian King, Tsar Peter the Great, moved the Russian capital to St. Petersburg, but Moscow remained the heart of Russia. That’s why Moscow became the main target of Napoleon’s attack. Three-quarters of the city was destroyed by fire during Napoleon’s occupation. Moscow had been completely restored by the mid-19th century. In 1918 Moscow became the capital again.

Now Moscow is one of the largest cities in the world. It is situated on seven hills. Its total area is about nine hundred square kilometres. The population of the city is over 12 million.

Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are a lot of beautiful places, 'old mansions, cathedrals, churches and monuments in Moscow. The heart of Moscow is Red Square. The main Kremlin Tower, the Spaskaya Tower, has become the symbol of Russia. There are great old cathedrals and historical monuments on the territory of the Kremlin. They are the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great, the Tzar-Cannon and the Tzar-Bell, the biggest cannon and bell in the world. St. Basil’s Cathedral was built in the mid- 16th century in memory of the victory over Kazan. There is a legend that Ivan the Terrible blinded the architects Barma and Postnik, because they didn’t want them to create another masterpiece.

There are more than 80 museums in Moscow. The largest museums are the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts and the State Tretyakov Gallery.

Moscow is famous for its theatres. The Bolshoi Opera House is one of the best theatres of the world.

Moscow is the centre of the political life of Russia. It is the seat of the Russian Parliament (the Duma).

NAMES

Prince Yuri Dolgoruky — Князь Юрий Долгорукий

Tsar Peter the Great — Царь Петр Великий (Петр I)

Napoleon — Наполеон

the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great — Колокольня Ивана Великого the

Tzar-Cannon — Царь-пушка

the Tzar-Веll — Царь-колокол

St Basil’s Cathedral — собор Василия Блаженного

Ivan the Terrible — Иван Грозный

Barma — Барма

Postnik — Постник

the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts — Музей Изобразительных искусств им. Пушкина

the State Tretyakov Gallery — Государственная Третьяковская галерея

the Bolshoi Opera House — Большой театр оперы и балета

Tartar yoke ['ta: tə 'jə ʊ k] — Татарское Иго