The Location of the Soviet Union | |
Population | 334,912,631 (2014 Census) |
Domonym | Soviet |
Government | Single-Party Marxist State |
Languages | Russian (Lingua Franca) Ukrainian , Uzbek , others |
Capital | Moscow, Russian SFSR |
Other Cities |
Kiev, Leningrad, Volgograd |
Establishment | December 30, 1922 (Creation) |
Area | |
Currency | Soviet Ruble |
Internet TDL | .su .cccp |
Calling Code | +7 |
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, commonly abbreviated to the Soviet Union or the USSR (CCCP in Russian) is a nation located in northern Eurasia. A union of many republics, the USSR is the largest nation in area and one of the few global superpowers.
Covering over 22,000,400 square kilometres, the Soviet Union is the largest nation on Earth. Extending the entirety of Northern and Central Asia, as well as much of Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union spans 10 time zones and and incorporates a wide range of environments and landforms.
As of 2014, it is the world's second largest economy by both nominal total GDP and purchasing power parity (PPP), and is also one of the world's largest producers of oil and natural gas due to its extensive mineral and energy resources. It is one of the recognized nuclear weapon states and possesses the largest stockpile of weapons of mass destruction. It also has the largest standing army and the highest defense budget. The Soviet Union is a superpower and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.