ralf

Always wondered if Russia considered themselves Asian or (Eastern)European. Pls give me political and geographical views.

Geohead

Russia west of the Urals is within Europe. Russia east of the Urals is within Asia. Politically, both sectors are governed from Moscow and from provincial capitals.

Curious

Isn't Turkey also half & half? Any others?

nancy

In Turkey it's only European in Istanbul and environs (not sure what that covers). Almost all of Turkey is in Asia. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong - I know you will

Marc David Miller

It's been a debate in Russian society for the last 800 years, but most Russians consider themselves part of European culture and society. <BR><BR>As Geo pointed out, the dividing line between Europe and Asia is considered to be the Ural mountain range, but it not a perfect line--for instance the area north of the Caucus Republics (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbijan) is considered part of European Russia, but those republics are geographically considered to be in Asia (as is the area of Turkey that borders Armenia). But all three republics are now in the Council of Europe. <BR><BR>Racially the majority of Russians are of European ancestry, even those in Asian Russia (although there are sizable minorities of other races--it was surprising for me to speak with Buryats, who looked Chinese or Mongolian but have very heavy Russian accents.<BR><BR>An interesting analysis is at The Face of Russia Web site:<BR><BR>http://www.pbs.org/weta/faceofrussia/intro.html<BR>

x0x

YES!