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Capital - Moscow
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Size/Area - 6,592,735 sq miles
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Population - 143.4 million
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Time Zone - 8-9 hours ahead of CST
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Language(s) - Russian
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Currency - Ruble (R)
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Type of Government - Federation
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Current Leader - President Vladimir Putin
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Compulsory Education - 6 to 17 years
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Literacy - 99%
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Religion - Russian Orthodox
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Spanning 10 time zones, Russia is the largest country on earth in terms of surface area, covering across Eastern Europe to Asia.
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When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, its shaky orphan-care system also fell.
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No country has such a severe alcohol abuse problem as Russia. Official estimates are that 40% of men and 7% of women are alcoholics.
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Over 750,000 children live in orphanages, ranging in age from newborns to 18 year olds, with another 1.2 million living on the streets
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An orphan's average life expectancy is less than 30 years.
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At age 15 to 18, children are forced to leave the orphanages (emancipated) with little or no formal schooling, very limited life skills, and no one to turn to for assistance.
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Within the first year of leaving the orphanage, over 50% are involved in prostitution or crime, another 30% are addicted to drugs or alcohol, and another 10% commit suicide.
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