People and Society

RUSSIA

RUSSIAOfficial Name: Russian FederationForm of Government: FederationCapital: MoscowPopulation: 141,377,752Official Language: RussianMoney: RubleArea: 6,592,772 square miles (17,075,200 square kilometers)Major Mountain Ranges: Ural, AltayMajor Rivers: Amur, Irtysh, Lena, Ob, Volga, YeniseyFAST FACTSMoscow

Geography

The largest country in the world11 time zones2x larger than Canada

The Russian landscapes: desertfrozen tall mountains giant marshesSteppestaigas.

Economy

Transportation & EnergyBy: Aurora Hernandez

Transportation HistoryContinental climate causes long, cold winters affecting road conditions (roads are the least-used form of transport)Early-mid 1900s major political influence on production of private vehicles and road construction Post-dissolution of Soviet Union in 1991, market forces shifted demand among various transportation servicesContinuing dominance of the use of railways

Energy History

One of the most energy-dependent countries Dramatic changes in the 1980s with exploitation of large natural gas deposits By mid-1990s natural gas accounted for more than half of Russias energy consumption (expected to increase in next decades)Russia ranks third in the world for oil production

Cultural Influence & Affects on Population High demand for public transportation (majority does not rely on private vehicles)Originally used for freight and cargo, railroad traffic has plummeted with the use of public transportation Cost of transport very cheap on average less than $1 for daily commutes on bus, trolley, electronic trolley, or trainEnergy has central role in Russian economyPetroleum and natural gas are most important export (foreign exchange)Influences industrial, agricultural, commercial, and government sectors Self-sufficiency in fuels and power generation sets good position for future economic growth and development

3/26/2015Russia13Russian Armed ForcesPrepared by: Christopher A. Rodriguez

The Armed Forces of the Russian FederationEstablished after dissolution of the Soviet Union. (May 7th, 1992)Divided into 3 separate categoriesThe commander-in-chief of the armed forces is the president of Russia.

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HistoryAs the Soviet Union officially dissolved on 31 December 1991.Move the new Russian leadership made before March 1992 was to announce the creation of a 'National Guard. By end of September 1991, in Moscow the National Guard was about 15,000 strong.After signing of Belavezha Accords on 21 December 1991, new CIS countries signed a protocol temporary appointment of Marshal of Aviation Yevgeny Shaposhnikov as Minister of Defence and commander of the armed forces.

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History (Cont.)On 16 March 1992 a decree by Boris Yeltsin created The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Finally, on 7 May 1992 Yelsin signed a decree establishing the armed forces. Yeltsin assumed the duties of the Supreme Commander.On 7 May 1992, Yeltsin appointed himself as the new Russian Minister of Defence.

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History (Cont.)In the next few years, Russian forces withdrew from central and eastern Europe.A new military doctrine, promulgated in November 1993, acknowledged the contraction of old Soviet military into a regional military power without global ambitions.Significant reforms were announced in late 2008 under Defence Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov, and major structural reorganisation began in 2009.

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Weapons of Mass DestructionIn 2013, Russia possessed an estimated 8,500 total nuclear warheads of which 1,800 were strategically operational.

In addition to nuclear weapons, Russia declared an arsenal of 39,967 tons of chemical weapons in 1997, of which 57% have been destroyed.Russia has a number of factories for destruction of its chemical weapons arsenal.

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3/26/2015Russia19Russias Government

Prepared by: Christopher A. Rodriguez

StructureFederal semi-presidential republicThe President of Russia is head of state, and of a multi-party system with executive power exercised by the government, headed by the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the President with the parliament's approval.

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Legislative BranchThe Federal Assembly, consists of two houses, the 450-member State Duma (the lower house) and the 166-member Federation Council (the upper house).The two chambers of the Federal Assembly possess different powers and responsibilities, with the State Duma the more powerful.The legislative process in Russia includes three hearings in the State Duma, then approvals by the Federation Council, the upper house and sign into law by the President.21

Judicial BranchThe Judiciary of Russia is defined under the Constitution and law of Russia with a hierarchical structure.Governed by the All-Russian Congress of Judges and its Council of Judges. Arbitrate disputes between the executive and legislative branches and between Moscow and the regional and local governments.22

People and Society

According to Census: Estimated population 144,978,570 *Birth rate:9.7/1000 Death rate : 13.1/1000*Male Life expectancy:62Female life expectancy 64

Languages Speak Russian- 3 dialects*Most widely spoken languagesRussian influenced by other language*

FoodLove meats Most common food is bread* Love Vodka and wine

Breakfast- a quick snack of coffee or tea with bread and sausage or cheese. Lunch - a hot meal, with soup, potatoes, macaroni, rice or buckwheat kasha, ground meat cutlets, and peas or grated cabbageSupper consist of boiled potatoes, soured cabbage, and bread or simply bread and sausage

EtiquetteBehavior Females must be clean/reservedPushing and shoving is a norm Verbal markers of social status* Elders Close friends/coworkers Distant relationships

Table manners Hospitality to all guest Must toast Drink together

Communications

Non-verbal languageHandshakes are taken more seriously in Russia. If you have gloves on you must take them off.Touching is seen as beingfriendly.Flicking your chin with your index finger =lets drink or he is drunk.Eye contact during conversations is very important.Stand very close when talking.

Non-verbal language

USARussia

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Commonly seen in RussiaHugs and kisses are common within friendsKissing of the same sex is very also very common (on the cheek).conversations include peace, the current changes taking place in Russia, and their current economic situation.It is common to stand very close to the person you're having a conversation with.

Gestures to avoid in Russia

Speaking and laughing really loud.Wearing your coat or boots inside a public place.Whistling in a indoor place.Never call someone by their first name ,its always by their full name until told that it is acceptable.Topics to avoid are changes in Russia, the holocaust, the czar and the monarchyIn Russian culture Smiling at a stranger is unusual and suspicious.

Communication in businessPunctuality is very relaxed.Face-to-face meetings.Patience.No contract no agreement.

Geert Hofstede Value Orientation Theory

Questions Is Russia a low or high context culture?What is Russia's main language?What is the most common food?Who is the president of Russia?What is the capital of Russia?

Links & ResourcesRussia Youtube channel for extended uncut interviews: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCstpOE1gvkgiUj-yvcyeewA/videos Russia Blog for details of this presentation: http://dobropozhalovatrussia.blogspot.com/

!Do Svidaniya!(goodbye!)

Works CitedBalkhi, Syed. Top 25 Most Dangerous Roads in the World. List25.com. Web. 11

March 2013.

OECD Publication Services. European Conference of Ministers of Transport:

Regulatory Reform of Railways in Russia. Organization for Economic

Cooperation and Development (OECD). Web. ECTM 2004.

Library of Congress. Country Studies Handbook: Russia. Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress. Web. 1986-1998.

http://www.russianlife.com/blog/why-dont-russians-smile/

https://www.rpi.edu/dept/advising/american_culture/social_skills/nonverbal_communication/reading_exercise.htm

http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Russian-Business-Communication-Style.html

http://www.communicaid.com/cross-cultural-training/blog/challenges-of-doing-business-in-russia/#.VQX9PvRDtWo