द्वितीय विश्व युद्ध के प्रमुख घटनाएँ
World War II | Facts, Summary, History, Dates, Combatants, & Causes
World War II began in Europe on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. Great Britain and France responded by declaring war on Germany ...
Moscow
By the early part of 1939 the German dictator Adolf Hitler had become determined to invade and occupy Poland. Poland, for its part, had guarantees of French and British military support should it be attacked by Germany. Hitler intended to invade Poland anyway, but first he had to neutralize the possibility that the Soviet Union would resist the invasion of its western neighbour. Secret negotiations led on August 23–24 to the signing of the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact in <anchor>Moscow</anchor>. In a secret protocol of this pact, the Germans and the Soviets agreed that Poland should be divided between them, with the western third of the country going to Germany and the eastern two-thirds being taken over by the U.S.S.R.
Moscow | History, Geography, Population, & Map | Britannica
Moscow \| History, Geography, Population, & Map \| Britannica

[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](/)

Search BritannicaClick here to search

[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](/)

Search BritannicaClick here to search

[Subscribe  Now](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav&utm_campaign=evergreen)

[Subscribe](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav-mobile&utm_campaign=evergreen)

Login

- [Home](/)
- [History & Society](/History-Society)
- [Science & Tech](/Science-Tech)
- [Biographies](/Biographies)
- [Animals & Nature](/Animals-Nature)
- [Geography & Travel](/Geography-Travel)
- [Arts & Culture](/Arts-Culture)
- [Money](/money)

- [Games & Quizzes](/quiz/browse)
- [Videos](/videos)
- [On This Day](/on-this-day)
- [One Good Fact](/one-good-fact)
- [Dictionary](/dictionary)
- [New Articles](/new-articles)

[History & Society](/History-Society)

- [Lifestyles & Social Issues](/browse/Lifestyles-Social-Issues)
- [Philosophy & Religion](/browse/Philosophy-Religion)
- [Politics, Law & Government](/browse/Politics-Law-Government)
- [World History](/browse/World-History)

[Science & Tech](/Science-Tech)

- [Health & Medicine](/browse/Health-Medicine)
- [Science](/browse/Science)
- [Technology](/browse/Technology)

[Biographies](/Biographies)

- [Browse Biographies](/browse/biographies)

[Animals & Nature](/Animals-Nature)

- [Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates](/browse/Birds-Reptiles-Vertebrates)
- [Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates](/browse/Bugs-Mollusks-Invertebrates)
- [Environment](/browse/Environment)
- [Fossils & Geologic Time](/browse/Fossil-Geologic-Time)
- [Mammals](/browse/Mammals)
- [Plants](/browse/Plants)

[Geography & Travel](/Geography-Travel)

- [Geography & Travel](/browse/Geography-Travel)

[Arts & Culture](/Arts-Culture)

- [Entertainment & Pop Culture](/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture)
- [Literature](/browse/Literature)
- [Sports & Recreation](/browse/Sports-Recreation)
- [Visual Arts](/browse/Visual-Arts)

- [Companions](/stories/companion)
- [Demystified](/stories/demystified)
- [Image Galleries](/gallery/browse)
- [Infographics](https://www.britannica.com/study/infographics)
- [Lists](/list/browse)
- [Podcasts](/podcasts)
- [Spotlight](/stories/spotlight)
- [Summaries](/summary)
- [The Forum](/stories/the-forum)
- [Top Questions](/question)
- [#WTFact](/stories/wtfact)

- [100 Women](https://www.britannica.com/explore/100women/)
- [Britannica Kids](https://kids.britannica.com/)
- [Saving Earth](https://www.britannica.com/explore/savingearth/)
- [Space Next 50](https://www.britannica.com/explore/space/)
- [Student Center](https://www.britannica.com/study/)

[Ask the Chatbot](/chatbot) [Games & Quizzes](/quiz/browse) [History & Society](/History-Society) [Science & Tech](/Science-Tech) [Biographies](/Biographies) [Animals & Nature](/Animals-Nature) [Geography & Travel](/Geography-Travel) [Arts & Culture](/Arts-Culture) [Money](/money) [Videos](/videos)

[Moscow](https://www.britannica.com/place/Moscow)

Table of Contents


- [Introduction](/place/Moscow)

- [Character of the city](/place/Moscow#ref275526)

- [Landscape](/place/Moscow/Landscape)



- [City site](/place/Moscow/Landscape#ref275528)

- [Climate](/place/Moscow/Landscape#ref275529)

- [City layout](/place/Moscow/Landscape#ref12529)

  - [The Kremlin](/place/Moscow/The-Kremlin)

  - [The Kitay-gorod](/place/Moscow/The-Kremlin#ref275530)

  - [The inner city](/place/Moscow/The-inner-city)

  - [The middle zone](/place/Moscow/The-inner-city#ref275532)

  - [Outer Moscow](/place/Moscow/Outer-Moscow)

  - [Outlying areas](/place/Moscow/Outer-Moscow#ref275534)

- [People](/place/Moscow/People)

- [Economy](/place/Moscow/People#ref275536)



- [Manufacturing](/place/Moscow/People#ref275537)

- [Finance and other services](/place/Moscow/Finance-and-other-services)

- [Transportation](/place/Moscow/Finance-and-other-services#ref12540)

  - [Rail](/place/Moscow/Finance-and-other-services#ref12543)

  - [Waterways](/place/Moscow/Finance-and-other-services#ref275539)

  - [Air](/place/Moscow/Finance-and-other-services#ref275540)

  - [Intercity transport](/place/Moscow/Finance-and-other-services#ref275541)

- [Administration and society](/place/Moscow/Administration-and-society)



- [Government](/place/Moscow/Administration-and-society#ref275543)

- [Municipal services](/place/Moscow/Administration-and-society#ref275544)

- [Health](/place/Moscow/Administration-and-society#ref275545)

- [Education](/place/Moscow/Administration-and-society#ref12548)

- [Cultural life](/place/Moscow/Cultural-life)

- [History](/place/Moscow/History)



- [The early period](/place/Moscow/History#ref12565)

  - [Foundation and medieval growth](/place/Moscow/History#ref12566)

  - [The rise of Moscow as capital](/place/Moscow/History#ref12567)

- [Evolution of the modern city](/place/Moscow/Evolution-of-the-modern-city)

  - [The 18th and 19th centuries](/place/Moscow/Evolution-of-the-modern-city#ref12569)

  - [Moscow in the Soviet period](/place/Moscow/Evolution-of-the-modern-city#ref12570)

  - [Post-Soviet Moscow](/place/Moscow/Post-Soviet-Moscow)

[References & Edit History](https://www.britannica.com/place/Moscow/additional-info) [Related Topics](/facts/Moscow)

[Images & Videos](https://www.britannica.com/place/Moscow/images-videos)

[![Moscow](https://cdn.britannica.com/57/144557-004-18505CD8/Moscow.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/57/144557-050-00422BA6/Moscow.jpg)[![Moscow, Russia](https://cdn.britannica.com/99/64499-004-3A7E2EE4/Moscow.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/99/64499-004-3A7E2EE4/Moscow.jpg)[![Moscow: Kremlin](https://cdn.britannica.com/31/141331-004-7FE97A53/Kremlin-Moscow-River.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/31/141331-050-437B6696/Kremlin-Moscow-River.jpg)[![Moscow](https://cdn.britannica.com/10/110310-004-0B65C376/Moscow.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/10/110310-004-0B65C376/Moscow.jpg)[![State Historical Museum, Moscow](https://cdn.britannica.com/56/80456-004-33E9C4D2/State-Historical-Museum-Red-Square-Russia-Moscow.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/56/80456-050-237A814C/State-Historical-Museum-Red-Square-Russia-Moscow.jpg)[![The historical significance of the Kremlin](https://cdn.britannica.com/07/179907-138-6B077CD1/Overview-Kremlin-Moscow.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](/video/179907/Overview-Kremlin-Moscow)[![Kremlin: Cathedral of the Annunciation](https://cdn.britannica.com/03/177903-004-88993C26/Cathedral-of-the-Annunciation-Kremlin-Moscow.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/03/177903-050-4443E462/Cathedral-of-the-Annunciation-Kremlin-Moscow.jpg)[![Palace of the Facets in the Kremlin](https://cdn.britannica.com/02/177902-004-5A98E1C2/hall-Facets-Palace-Moscow-Kremlin.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/02/177902-050-3CBA0481/hall-Facets-Palace-Moscow-Kremlin.jpg)[![Moscow: Kremlin](https://cdn.britannica.com/29/10829-004-5128912C/Iconostasis-Archangel-Cathedral-Kremlin-Moscow.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/29/10829-004-5128912C/Iconostasis-Archangel-Cathedral-Kremlin-Moscow.jpg)[![St. Basil the Blessed](https://cdn.britannica.com/48/5848-004-C9C4B761/Cathedral-of-St-Basil-the-Blessed-Moscow.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/48/5848-050-6292F88D/Cathedral-of-St-Basil-the-Blessed-Moscow.jpg)

For Students


[![Red Square, Moscow.](https://cdn.britannica.com/83/84883-050-053834E9/Red-Square-Moscow.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/summary/Moscow)

[Moscow summary](/summary/Moscow)

Quizzes


[![Top of Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany](https://cdn.britannica.com/31/94531-131-A6E89842/Brandenburg-Gate-Berlin.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/quiz/european-capitals-quiz)

[European Capitals Quiz](/quiz/european-capitals-quiz)

[![Kentucky Capitol in Frankfort; photo dated 2015. (state capitols)](https://cdn.britannica.com/97/91497-131-C397C5DB/Kentucky-Capitol-Frankfort.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/quiz/50-capital-cities-at-random-quiz)

[50 Capital Cities at Random Quiz](/quiz/50-capital-cities-at-random-quiz)

[![A woman with a brightly-colored feather headdress and costume, during a Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro. Rio Carnival. Brazil Carnival.](https://cdn.britannica.com/62/150762-131-841863E7/woman-feather-headdress-costume-Carnival-parade-Rio.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/quiz/world-cities)

[World Cities](/quiz/world-cities)

[![Catedral at night on Plaza de Armas (also known as plaza mayor) Lima, Peru.](https://cdn.britannica.com/05/124605-131-977A8DEB/Cathedral-Plaza-de-Armas-Lima-Peru.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/quiz/capital-cities-of-the-world-quiz)

[World Capitals Quiz](/quiz/capital-cities-of-the-world-quiz)

[![Cathedral of Brasilia, Brazil, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, built in the shape of a crown of thorns. Its bell tower is at the left.](https://cdn.britannica.com/59/142159-131-D4259F45/Oscar-Niemeyer-shape-Cathedral-of-Brasilia-crown.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/quiz/39-of-the-most-challenging-world-capitals-across-history)

[39 of the Most Challenging World Capitals Across History](/quiz/39-of-the-most-challenging-world-capitals-across-history)

Read Next


[![Famous house of architect Melnikov on Arbat street in Moscow Russia](https://cdn.britannica.com/79/219379-131-B16F9169/house-Melnikov-Arbat-Street-Moscow-Russia.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/8-notable-buildings-in-moscow)

[8 Notable Buildings in Moscow](/list/8-notable-buildings-in-moscow)

[![Taken at sunset, St. Basil's Cathedral towers over Red Square, Moscow, Russia.](https://cdn.britannica.com/83/84883-131-1A166B57/Red-Square-Moscow.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/7-accomplished-paintings-in-moscow)

[7 Accomplished Paintings in Moscow](/list/7-accomplished-paintings-in-moscow)

[![Union Jack flag of Great Britain, united kingdom](https://cdn.britannica.com/43/193443-131-17ABE1C9/Union-Jack-flag-Great-Britain-united-kingdom.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/story/whats-the-difference-between-great-britain-and-the-united-kingdom)

[What’s the Difference Between Great Britain and the United Kingdom?](/story/whats-the-difference-between-great-britain-and-the-united-kingdom)

[![B-52G with cruise missiles, USAF, short range attack missiles SRAMs; guided missile](https://cdn.britannica.com/49/106949-131-0783F166/US-Air-Force-cruise-missiles-attack-B-52G.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/11-of-the-worlds-most-famous-warplanes)

[11 of the World’s Most Famous Warplanes](/list/11-of-the-worlds-most-famous-warplanes)

[![Communism - mosaic hammer and sickle with star on the Pavilion of Ukraine at the All Russia Exhibition Centre (also known as VDNKh) in Moscow. Communist symbol of the former Soviet Union. USSR](https://cdn.britannica.com/45/195145-131-784B0AED/hammer-sickle-star-Ukraine-Pavilion-All-Russia.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/story/why-did-the-soviet-union-collapse)

[Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse?](/story/why-did-the-soviet-union-collapse)

Discover


[![A group of diverse individuals, who represent various occupations, stand with their arms raised in the air. labor day; laborers; construction worker; teacher; nurse; doctor; assistant; office staff; blue collar; workforce](https://cdn.britannica.com/40/239640-131-052DF02A/diverse-group-occupations-workforce.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/story/why-is-labor-day-celebrated-in-september)

[Why Is Labor Day Celebrated in September?](/story/why-is-labor-day-celebrated-in-september)

[![Aladdin and the Efrite, jinn, genie.](https://cdn.britannica.com/07/186707-131-EE0952B0/Efrite-Aladdin-jinn.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/5-creepy-things-from-the-thousand-and-one-nights)

[5 Creepy Things from _The Thousand and One Nights_](/list/5-creepy-things-from-the-thousand-and-one-nights)

[![United States Electoral College votes by state](https://cdn.britannica.com/68/220368-131-C835E48E/United-States-electoral-college-votes-by-state.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/story/how-many-electoral-college-votes-does-each-us-state-have)

[How Many Electoral College Votes Does Each U.S. State Have?](/story/how-many-electoral-college-votes-does-each-us-state-have)

[![Ice Sledge Hockey, Hockey Canada Cup, USA (left) vs Canada,  2009. UBC Thunderbird Arena, Vancouver, BC, competition site for Olympic ice hockey and Paralympic ice sledge hockey. Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver Olympics](https://cdn.britannica.com/13/134913-131-D9520745/Ice-Sledge-Hockey-Canada-Cup-USA-ice-2010.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/10-best-hockey-players-of-all-time)

[10 Best Hockey Players of All Time](/list/10-best-hockey-players-of-all-time)

[![Clouds of smoke rise from fires at the World Trade Center Towers as a result of terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. Photographed 9:54 am in Lower Manhattan.](https://cdn.britannica.com/24/199824-131-8B2223A9/smoke-rise-Clouds-fires-result-terrorist-attack-September-11-2001.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/timeline-of-the-september-11-attacks)

[Timeline of the September 11 Attacks](/list/timeline-of-the-september-11-attacks)

[![Bakers Dozen of Donuts, or Paczki's](https://cdn.britannica.com/78/194478-131-980A335B/Bakers-Dozen-of-Donuts-Paczki.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/story/why-is-a-bakers-dozen-13)

[Why Is a Baker’s Dozen 13?](/story/why-is-a-bakers-dozen-13)

[![Encyclopaedia Britannica First Edition: Volume 1, Plate XLIII, Figure 1, Astronomy, Solar System, Equation of Time, Precession of Equinoxes, Earth, orbit, ecliptic, apogee, perigee, line of apsides, mean anomaly, tropical year, Sydereal, Julian](https://cdn.britannica.com/30/119830-131-D828BB6C/Encyclopaedia-Britannica-First-Edition-Volume-1-Figure.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/story/first-day-of-fall)

[First Day of Fall](/story/first-day-of-fall)


Contents


[Geography & Travel](/browse/Geography-Travel)[Cities & Towns](/browse/Cities-Towns)[Cities & Towns M-O](/browse/Cities-Towns-M-O)

# Moscow

national capital, Russia



Actions




Share



Share


Share to social media

[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/) [X](https://x.com/britannica)

URL

[https://www.britannica.com/place/Moscow](https://www.britannica.com/place/Moscow)



Share



Share


Share to social media

[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/) [X](https://x.com/britannica)

URL

[https://www.britannica.com/place/Moscow](https://www.britannica.com/place/Moscow)

Also known as: Moskva


Written by


[Kathleen Berton Murrell\
\
Researcher on the history of Moscow. Author of _Moscow: An Architectural History; Moscow Revealed;_ and others.](/contributor/Kathleen-Berton-Murrell/2090)

Kathleen Berton Murrell,

[Richard Antony French\
\
Senior Lecturer in Geography, University College, 1972–94, and School of Slavonic and East European Studies, 1972–91, University of London. Author of _The U.S.S.R. and Eastern Europe._](/contributor/Richard-Antony-French/984)

Richard Antony French• [All](https://www.britannica.com/place/Moscow/additional-info#contributors)

Fact-checked by

[The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica\
\
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.](/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419)

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated:

Sep 13, 2024
• [Article History](https://www.britannica.com/place/Moscow/additional-info#history)


Table of Contents


Russian: Moskva_(Show more)_

[See all related content →](/facts/Moscow)

## Recent News

Sep. 13, 2024, 12:05 PM ET (AP)


[Russian central bank hikes rates to fight inflation fuelled by military spending](/news/393409/7aeaed4f26b8ce34eb91d16e46226d16)

Sep. 13, 2024, 11:38 AM ET (AP)


[Biden and Starmer are set to meet as Ukraine pushes to ease weapons restrictions](/news/393409/8fec11abca0245d92a03291ab2d6b3fa)

Sep. 13, 2024, 9:32 AM ET (AP)


[Russia expels 6 British diplomats it accuses of spying. The UK calls it 'completely baseless'](/news/393409/7845e3554c753388e8c952733589fb7f)

Sep. 12, 2024, 2:58 PM ET (AP)


[Ukraine says Russia has started a counteroffensive in its Kursk border region](/news/393409/c086bef7cf8846ca5b0a5227b9fc775d)

Sep. 12, 2024, 8:49 AM ET (AP)


[A trial begins for lawyers who once represented the Kremlin's late foe Alexei Navalny](/news/393409/7cbefa1795e8c7a378e716841c6baed4)

**Moscow**, city, capital of Russia, located in the far western part of the country. Since it was first mentioned in the chronicles of 1147, Moscow has played a vital role in Russian history. It became the capital of Muscovy (the Grand Principality of Moscow) in the late 13th century; hence, the people of Moscow are known as Muscovites. Today Moscow is not only the political centre of Russia but also the country’s most populous city and its industrial, cultural, scientific, and educational capital. For more than 600 years Moscow also has been the spiritual centre of the Russian Orthodox Church. ...(100 of 12181 words)

[Access the full article\
\
Help support true facts by becoming a member.\
\
Subscribe today!](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=gist&utm_campaign=evergreen)

**History at your fingertips –**
Sign up here to see what happened On This Day, every day in your inbox!


Enter your email

Subscribe

By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Click here to view our [Privacy Notice](https://corporate.britannica.com/privacy-policy). Easy unsubscribe links are provided in every email.


Thank you for subscribing!

Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox.

Stay Connected

[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/) [X](https://x.com/britannica) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/encyclopaediabritannica) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/britannica/)

- [About Us & Legal Info](https://corporate.britannica.com)
- [Contact Us](https://corporate.britannica.com/contact/)
- [Privacy Policy](https://corporate.britannica.com/privacy-policy)
- [Terms of Use](https://corporate.britannica.com/termsofuse.html)
- [Diversity](https://corporate.britannica.com/diversity)

©2024 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.