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Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 12.4 million residents within the city limits, over 17 million residents in the urban area, and over 20 million residents in the metropolitan area. The city covers an area of 2,511 square kilometres (970 sq mi), while the urban area covers 5,891 square kilometres (2,275 sq mi), and the metropolitan area covers over 26,000 square kilometres (10,000 sq mi). Moscow is among the world's largest cities, being the largest city entirely in Europe, the largest urban area in Europe, the largest metropolitan area in Europe, and the largest city by land area on the European continent.

First documented in 1147, Moscow grew to become a prosperous and powerful city that served as the capital of the Grand Duchy that bears its namesake. When the Grand Duchy of Moscow evolved into the Tsardom of Russia, Moscow still remained as the political and economic center for most of the Tsardom's history. When the Tsardom was reformed into the Russian Empire, the capital was moved from Moscow to Saint Petersburg diminishing the influence of the city. The capital was then moved back to Moscow following the October Revolution and the city was brought back as the political centre of the Russian SFSR and then the Soviet Union. In the aftermath of the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Moscow remained as the capital city of the contemporary and newly established Russian Federation.

As the northernmost and coldest megacity in the world, and with a history that dates over eight centuries, Moscow is governed as a federal city that serves as the political, economic, cultural, and scientific centre of Russia and Eastern Europe. As an alpha world city, Moscow has one of the world's largest urban economies. The city is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world, and is one of Europe's most visited cities. Moscow is home to the third-highest number of billionaires of any city in the world, and has the highest number of billionaires of any city in Europe. The Moscow International Business Center is one of the largest financial centres in Europe and the world, and features some of Europe's tallest skyscrapers. Muscovites enjoy public digital services more than anywhere else in Europe, and the best e-government services in the world. Moscow was the host city of the 1980 Summer Olympics, and one of the host cities of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

As the historic core of Russia, Moscow serves as the home of numerous Russian artists, scientists, and sports figures due to the presence of its various museums, academic and political institutions and theatres. The city is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and is well known for its display of Russian architecture, particularly its historic Red Square, and buildings such as the Saint Basil's Cathedral and the Moscow Kremlin, of which the latter serves as the seat of power of the Government of Russia. Moscow is home to many Russian companies in numerous industries, and is served by a comprehensive transit network, which includes four international airports, nine railway terminals, a tram system, a monorail system, and most notably the Moscow Metro, the busiest metro system in Europe, and one of the largest rapid transit systems in the world. The city has over 40 percent of its territory covered by greenery, making it one of the greenest cities in Europe and the world.

Foods in Moscow :
(1) Borscht :

Borscht is the first dish that comes to mind for many when they think of Russian cuisine. Did you know that borscht is actually Ukrainian? All Russians know this, but the historical closeness of Russia and Ukraine lead borscht to become just as much a Russian dish as it is Ukrainian. 

(2) Beef Stroganoff : 

Another dish that is always mentioned among the best Russian foods is beef stroganoff. Typically, the dish is a saute of beef with a sauce made from sour cream and beef broth. Beef stroganoff is usually served atop macaroni, rice, mashed potatoes, or buckwheat. Most Russian restaurants serve this dish over mashed potatoes. 

(3) Pelmeni : 

If you ask a Russian what their favorite Russian food is, many will say pelmeni. It is also one of the most time-consuming dishes to make. Pelmeni is a Russian version of dumplings or ravioli. They are small meat-filled dumplings that are boiled and served with sour cream. When it comes to Russian food, pelmeni is another must-try while visiting Moscow. You don’t have to go to an expensive restaurant to have them either. One of the highest-rated restaurants in all of Moscow only serves different types of pelmeni. 

(4) Solyanka :  

So you’ve tried borscht and are looking for another popular Russian soup to try? Look no further than solyanka, a bowl of sour and spicy soup that is common all around Russia and the former Soviet Union.Solyanka is typically made with various smoked meats, pickles, capers, and olives. Some brine from these ingredients is also usually included. Russians always top their solyanka with a dollop of sour cream. The taste of solyanka is a bit more complex than most Russian food because it is sour and spicy. Two tastes that aren’t terribly popular among Russians, but solyanka is definitely a favorite food in Russia.

(5) Golubtsi : 

Minced meat wrapped in leaves is a common dish around the world. In Russia, golubtsi are made with ground beef wrapped inside of a cabbage leaf. They are also usually in a tomato sauce and lightly spiced.Golubtsi is probably the quintessential dish that all Russians ask their grandmothers to make. As with a number of other Russian foods on this list, the best version of golubtsi is probably with a Russian friend at their grandmother’s house.

(6) Olivier Salad : 

The most Russian food of them all is olivier salad. It is one of the Russian foods that almost every single Russian eats at New Year. It is a salad made from diced vegetables and meat (typically ham or bologna) and then mixed with mayonnaise. The origins of the dish come from a Russian chef in the late 1800s of Belgian and French descent. He created the dish with lavish ingredients and it subsequently became famous all around Russia. During Soviet times, the recipe was adapted for regular people to make at home. 

Weather & geography in  Moscow :

Moscow has a humid continental climate with long, cold (although average by Russian standards) winters usually lasting from mid-November to the end of March, and warm summers. More extreme continental climates at the same latitude- such as parts of Eastern Canada or Siberia- have much colder winters than Moscow, suggesting that there is still significant moderation from the Atlantic Ocean despite the fact that Moscow is far from the sea. Weather can fluctuate widely, with temperatures ranging from −25 °C (−13 °F) in the city and −30 °C (−22 °F) in the suburbs to above 5 °C (41 °F) in the winter, and from 10 to 35 °C (50 to 95 °F) in the summer.Petrovsky Palace on Leningradsky Avenue in winter.Typical high temperatures in the warm months of June, July and August are around a comfortable 20 to 26 °C (68 to 79 °F), but during heat waves (which can occur between May and September), daytime high temperatures often exceed 30 °C (86 °F), sometimes for a week or two at a time. In the winter, average temperatures normally drop to approximately −10 °C (14 °F), though almost every winter there are periods of warmth with day temperatures rising above 0 °C (32 °F), and periods of cooling with night temperatures falling below −20 °C (−4 °F). These periods usually last about a week or two. The growing season in Moscow normally lasts for 156 days usually around May 1 to October 5.

The highest temperature ever recorded was 38.2 °C (100.8 °F)[63] at the VVC weather station and 39.0 °C (102.2 °F) in the center of Moscow and Domodedovo airport on July 29, 2010 during the unusual 2010 Northern Hemisphere summer heat waves. Record high temperatures were recorded for January, March, April, May, July, August, November, and December in 2007–2014. The average July temperature from 1981 to 2010 is 19.2 °C (66.6 °F). The lowest ever recorded temperature was −42.1 °C (−43.8 °F) in January 1940. Snow, which is present for about five months a year, often begins to fall mid October, while snow cover lies in November and melts at the beginning of April.

On average, Moscow has 1731 hours of sunshine per year, varying from a low of 8% in December to 52% from May to August.[65] This large annual variation is due to convective cloud formation. In the winter, moist air from the Atlantic condenses in the cold continental interior, resulting in very overcast conditions. However, this same continental influence results in considerably sunnier summers than oceanic cities of similar latitude such as Edinburgh. Between 2004 and 2010, the average was between 1800 and 2000 hours with a tendency to more sunshine in summer months, up to a record 411 hours in July 2014, 79% of possible sunshine. December 2017 was the darkest month in Moscow since records began, with only six minutes of sunlight.

Moscow is situated on the banks of the Moskva River, which flows for just over 500 km (311 mi) through the East European Plain in central Russia. 49 bridges span the river and its canals within the city's limits. The elevation of Moscow at the All-Russia Exhibition Center (VVC), where the leading Moscow weather station is situated, is 156 metres (512 feet). Teplostanskaya highland is the city's highest point at 255 metres (837 feet).[59] The width of Moscow city (not limiting MKAD) from west to east is 39.7 km (24.7 mi), and the length from north to south is 51.8 km (32.2 mi).

Per day Cost in Moscow :

The average price of a 7-day trip to Moscow is $1,416 for a solo traveler, $2,543 for a couple, and $4,768 for a family of 4. Moscow hotels range from $30 to $152 per night with an average of $52, while most vacation rentals will cost $170 to $570 per night for the entire home.

History of Moscow :

The first known reference to Moscow dates from 1147 as a meeting place of Yuri Dolgoruky and Sviatoslav Olgovich. At the time it was a minor town on the western border of Vladimir-Suzdal Principality. The chronicle says, "Come, my brother, to Moskov".In 1156, Knyaz Yury Dolgoruky fortified the town with a timber fence and a moat. In the course of the Mongol invasion of Kievan Rus', the Mongols under Batu Khan burned the city to the ground and killed its inhabitants.

The timber fort na Moskvě "on the Moscow River" was inherited by Daniel, the youngest son of Alexander Nevsky, in the 1260s, at the time considered the least valuable of his father's possessions. Daniel was still a child at the time, and the big fort was governed by tiuns (deputies), appointed by Daniel's paternal uncle, Yaroslav of Tver.

Daniel came of age in the 1270s and became involved in the power struggles of the principality with lasting success, siding with his brother Dmitry in his bid for the rule of Novgorod. From 1283 he acted as the ruler of an independent principality alongside Dmitry, who became Grand Duke of Vladimir. Daniel has been credited with founding the first Moscow monasteries, dedicated to the Lord's Epiphany and to Saint Daniel.