Capital: Moscow (Moskva).Major Cities (in order of population): St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, NizhniyNovgorod, Omsk, Samara, Kazan', Chelyabinsk, Rostov-na-Donu, Ufa, Volgograd, and Perm.Independence: Russia officially marks its independence on June 12, 1991, the date of theRussian Republic's declaration of sovereignty from the Soviet Union.Public Holidays: Official holidays are New Year's (January 1-2), Orthodox Christmas (January7), Women's Day (March 8), Orthodox Easter Monday (variable date in April or early May),May Day (May 1-2), Victory Day (May 9), Russia Day (Independence Day, June 12), NationalUnity Day (November 4), and Constitution Day (December 12).