Moscow is the capital of Russia, its political, economic, commercial and cultural centre. It was founded 8 centuries ago by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Historians have accepted the year of 1147 as the start of Moscow’s history. Gradually the city became more and more powerful. In the 13th century Moscow was the centre of the struggle of Russian lands for the liberation from the tartar yoke. In the 16th century under Ivan the Terrible Moscow became the capital of the new united state. Though Peter the Great moved the capital to St Petersburg in 1712, Moscow remained the heart of Russia. After the October revolution Moscow became the capital again.
Now Moscow is one of the largest cities in Europe. Its total area is about nine hundred square kilometers. The population of the city is over 9 million.
Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities in the world . the heart of Moscow is Red Square. The Kremlin and St Basil’s Cathedral are masterpieces of  ancient Russian architecture. The main Kremlin tower, the Spasskaya Tower, has become the symbol of the country. There are a lot of  beautiful places, old mansions, cathedral, churches in Moscow.
There are more than 100 museums in Moscow. Moscow is famous for its theatres. The best-known of them is the Bolshoi Opera House. Moscow is a city of students. There are over 100 higher educational institutions in it.
Moscow is the seat of the Russian Parliament (the Duma) and the centre of political life of the country.