It was three years ago. Then it was winter and I was in grade 5. My friend and I played snowballs in the school yard. We had fun. Nothing foreshadowed troubles. They threw themselves into each other's snowballs and decided to go home. But someone threw a snowball at me. I turned around and saw a classmate and whose boy I did not know. They started teasing us, and we started throwing them with snowballs. It was very funny! Soon we were tired and we said good-bye and went home. This day I will never forget.
Russia is the largest country in the world and the ninth most populous country. It covers much of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, and comprises of 83 federal subjects. The country borders with numerous countries, including Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, China, Kazakhstan, Baltic and Scandinavian countries, and some others. Due to its size, the country spans 9 time zones and incorporates a wide range of environments. That’s why there are countless natural wonders there. The capital and the largest city of the country is Moscow. Every year millions of tourists come to see the riches of Russia. The most visited destinations are Moscow, St Petersburg, Sochi, Yekaterinburg, Rostov, Krasnodar, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, and some other prominent cities.One of the top-rated tourist attractions in the country is the Trans-Siberian Railway. It is the part of the longest railway system in the world, which connects Moscow with Vladivostok – a city near Chinese and North Korean borders. This line is also known as the tsars’ route, as it was built by Alexander III and his son Nicholas II. Many visitors of Russia hope to ride by train on Trans-Siberian line. Lake Baikal in Siberia is the top-visited Russian natural wonder. It’s the deepest, oldest and largest fresh water lake in the world. People also call it the Pearl of Siberia. The lake is surrounded by mountain range and is home to numerous resorts. Moscow’s Kremlin is the place where all visitors of Moscow want to go. It is not only home to nation’s government, but also the complex of notable cathedrals and museums. One of the most interesting structures there is the Armoury, where diamond jewelries and treasures of the past are kept. Another tourist attraction in Moscow is magnificent St Basil’s Cathedral. It was built in the middle of the XVI century in the city center and boasts distinctive architecture. The building has no analogs in world architecture with its bonfire shape in full flame touching the sky.Visitors of St Petersburg tend to see the Hermitage Museum, founded by Catherine the Great in the XVIII century. It houses over three million items from every corner of the globe. The museum is presented by six historic buildings. Perhaps, the most renowned of them is the Winter Palace, which used to serve as the residence for Russian emperors.Suzdal is one of Russian jewels. This historic city belongs to the “Golden Ring” of ancient Russian cities. It’s like a living, open-air museum, presenting Russia’s cultural past. The city is full of kremlins, monasteries and cathedrals, built in distinctive old-Russian style. Mount Elbrus is an attractive place for experienced and novice mountain climbers. At 5,642 meters height it has one of the highest summits in the world. Although it was formed from a volcano, there were no eruption recordings. Kizhi islandin Karelia is also known as an open-air museum. This region borders with Finland and the White Sea. Local people have lived here for many centuries accepting cultures of the East and the West. The main attraction there is the 120-feet high church with 22 domes – the Church of the Transfiguration of our Savior. Other than that, the sight has dozens of wooden houses, chapels and windmills.
