Strengthening the Russian connection
 03 June 2009

.
MOSCOW, Russia — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her entourage which includes your columnist just arrived here in Moscow for a number of official engagements, including meeting the members of the Filipino community here.

The President is also scheduled to attend the 13th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Plenary Meeting that would tackle the global economic crisis.

But first, we will take a breather from that hectic three-day official visit to South Korea where a number of bilateral and multilateral agreements were forged between our country and Korea, and with other member-countries of the ASEAN.

The President and her group are scheduled to visit a number of famous and important sites here in Russia, including the Red Square – the seat of power and government for President Dmitry Medvedev, and the world-famous Kremlin.

Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia. It is also the largest metropolitan city in Europe and ranks among the largest urban areas in the world. It is a major political, cultural, religious, financial, educational and transportation center of Russia and the world.

This city of some 18 Muscovites possesses a complex transport system that includes three international airports, nine railroad terminals, and the world’s busiest (after Tokyo) metro systems which is famous for its architecture and artwork.

Its Metro is the busiest single-operator subway in the world.

Moscow is home to the largest number of billionaires in the world. Last year, it was named as the world’s most expensive city for foreign employees for the third year in a row.

Red Square is the most famous city square in Moscow, and arguably one of the most famous in the world. The Square separates the Kremlin, the former Royal citadel and currently the official residence of the President of Russia, President Dmitry Medvedev. All major streets of Moscow radiate from here in all directions.

The Square used to serve as Moscow’s main marketplace, as a venue for public ceremonies and site of coronation of Russian czars. A UNESCO heritage site, it is now a venue for musical concerts.

Kremlin, on the other hand, is believed to be the heart of Moscow and the seat of power of government.

The historic Kremlin wall spans an area of 275,000 square meters with more than 18 Kremlin towers, the highest of which is the Spasskaya with a height of 71 meters and built in 1625.

Kremlin is the Russian word for “fortress,” “citadel,” or castles and refers to any major fortified central complex in historic Russian cities.

[TOP] [HOME]