Dagestan Republic, the war with Chechyna and the battle for ancient Islamic homeland.

Check current conditions and forecasts for several Russian cities.

Part II of this feature

The origins, persecution and emigration to Canada of the Russian religious sect known as the Doukhobors. A direct result of Nikon's reforms and resulting Church schism, learn about their beliefs and culture.

The term Shaman is both a noun and a verb. It is from the Tungus language and is seen as saman or haman. The actions of the Shaman are, what western explorers referred to as, Shamanism. It is the oldest known demonstration of human spirituality.

Unique and enchanting folk art from the region of Transvolga.

Russia and Japan have yet to sign a WWII peace treaty. At the center of the dispute are four ancient volcanic islands, part of the Kuril Islands help by Russia and known to Japan as the Northern Territory.

Special report from the scene of the devastating May 28, 1995 quake on Sakhalin Island.

How the situation in Russia looks from a village in the very remote and very Far East.

A few starting points for exploring and understanding the rich culture of Sogdia, homeland of the protagonist in The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas.

The string of islands that is the Kurils – perched between Sakhalin and Japan – had a not insignificant role in the history of the past century. Long closed to outsiders, its future in this century may depend on tourism.

Russia is pushing ahead with a new drive to populate the country’s remote and unpopular fringes. Starting this year, Russians can claim a hectare (about 2.5 acres) of land in the Arctic zone – absolutely free.