Moscow has been the capital of Russia for much of its history. It's an iconic, global city that continues to play a central role in the world. For many, the sight of the Kremlin complex in the center of Moscow is still loaded with symbolism and history. The most interesting tourist attractions are located on the northern bank of the Moskva River, which weaves its way through the city.

The Soviet past collides with the capitalist present everywhere in Russia, but nowhere is this contrast more visible than in Moscow, the vibrant heart of the country. Vladimir Ilich Lenin’s Mausoleum remains intact, as do many dreary five-story apartment buildings from the era of Nikita Khrushchev’s rule, which lasted from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. But glitzy automobiles and Western-style supermarkets, casinos, and nightclubs are equally visible. Many Orthodox churches, as well as some synagogues and mosques, have been restored, while Moscow’s best theaters have reclaimed leadership in the dramatic arts, and traditional markets have been revived and expanded.