The introduction examines the Russian Federation as a whole, and consists of an essay written by an acknowledged expert focusing on the evolution of the relationship between the central state and the regions, followed by a chronology, demographic and economic statistics, and a review of the Federal Government. The second section comprises territorial surveys, with a chapter on each of Russia's federal subjects, each of which includes a current map. The third and fourth parts comprise a select bibliography of books and indexes, listing the territories alphabetically, with a gazetteer of alternative names, and by both Federal Okrug and Economic Area. Key features include: comprehensive overview of the Russian Federation offers an analysis and understanding of the country's regional dimension invaluable directories of important territorial contacts detailed and accurate political, economic and statistical information some eighty-five current maps extensive information from a wide variety of sources, many of which are otherwise unavailable in English.