Russia’s population is very diverse. The Slavs, who originated in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, represent the largest ethnic group. People of Turkish descent, originating from Central Asian regions constitute the second largest. Other groups include Armenians, Georgians, Germans, people of Iranian origin and nationalities within the Finno-Ugrian group. The whole population (99.6%) can read and write and is well educated.

Ethnic groups	Russian 81.5%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian 3%, Chuvash 1.2%, Bashkir 0.9%, Belarusian 0.8%, Moldavian 0.7%, other 8.1% (1989)
Religions	Russian Orthodox, Muslim, other
Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.7% female: 99.5% (2003 est.)

Source: CIA World factbook, 2004

------------

 

In the Soviet Union, the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic (RSFSR) contained thirty-one autonomous, ethnically based administrative units.

Today, Besides the Slavs (Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians), who constitute about 85 % of the population, three main ethnic groups (Altaic, Uralic, Caucasus) and a handful of isolated smaller groups reside within the Federation.

Chuvash woman in traditional costume.

A traditional dance of Buryat Mongolian shumanism

 

Other useful sections of the website

 

The Russian population