Moscow is the capital of Russia, founded in 1147 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Initially, it was a small town on the banks of the Moskva River, which gradually became an important political and commercial center. In the 14th century, Moscow became the capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow, and then the center of the unification of Russian lands. In 1547, Ivan IV the Terrible was crowned as the first Russian tsar, which consolidated the city's status as the political and cultural heart of the country. In 1712, the capital was moved to St. Petersburg, but Moscow retained its importance as a historical and religious center.
In 1812, Moscow survived the invasion of Napoleon and a fire that destroyed most of the city, but quickly recovered. In 1918, after the October Revolution, Moscow again became the capital of Soviet Russia, and then of the USSR. During the Great Patriotic War, the city survived the battle of Moscow, which became a turning point in the war. In modern history, Moscow continues to be the main economic, cultural and political center of Russia, as well as one of the largest megacities in the world with a rich historical heritage.