This page contains links to various types of factual information about Russia and the other NISE states: geographical, economic, and political background notes, flags and coats of arms, and the like. Each country has its own page, so simply click the country which interests you and go from there. Clicking the title of each page will connect you with the homepage of that country (if there is one). For a more sophisticated map of any area, simply click the "Location" link for a connection with the map collection of the University of Texas at Austin.

The Newly Independent States of Eurasia

A Physical Map of Russia and the NISE Nations

This is a general map of Russia showing its relation to the NISE. For detailed maps of each NISE nation go to the University of Texas Austin map collection.

An Administrative Map of Russia

This map shows the 89 administrative oblasts of Russia. Provided by Tor Harald Munsen.

Russian Federation: Social-economic regions (Subjects)

Hypertext profiles of the 89 regions (administrative subjects) of the Russian Federation provided by Alexander Krivenyshev.

RFE/RL Daily Reports

The University of Missouri Russian Studies Program provides these news reports organized according to country. They provide a good introduction to topical issues in the Newly Independent States.

Siberia: Culture, Economy, and Business

This is a new site maintained by scholars in Novosibirsk at the Friends and Partners site. In addition to information on business and economics, it offers an ethnographical exhibition of the peoples of Siberia and some nifty arrowheads, figurines, and other artifacts from the Siberian Archeological Museum.

Language Programs in the NISE Languages

The American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages (AATSEEL) maintains a page on programs offering all the languages of the NISE and East European and Balkan languages.

The Peoples of the Russian Empire

An excellent description of the various peoples of the former USSR, their cultures and languages by the Institute of the Estonian language.

1. The Baltic Nations

   • Estonia

   • Latvia

   • Lithuania

2. The Central Asian Nations

   • Kyrgyzstan

   • Tajikistan

   • Turkmenistan

   • Uzbekistan

3. Kazakhstan

4. The Slavic Nations

   • Belarus

   • Moldova

   • Russia

   • Ukraine

5. The Transcaucasian Nations

   • Armenia

   • Azerbaijan

   • Georgia