Russia is the largest country in the world, spanning two continents and
11 time zones and bordering three oceans, with a population of more than
143 million people. This book considers the dramatic changes in Russia's
political system, from monarchy through communism to democracy. It looks
at how the present government is structured and at the role of the
president, the most powerful person in the country, and asks what the
key challenges are for Russia today, both nationally and
internationally.