USSR

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics[u] (USSR),[v] commonly known as the Soviet Union,[w] was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until its dissolution in 1991. During its existence, it was the largest country by area, extending across eleven time zones and sharing borders with twelve countries,[x] and the third-most populous country. A diverse multinational state, it was organized as a federal union of national republics, the largest and most populous being the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.[y] In practice, its government and economy were highly centralized. As a one-party state governed by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), it was the flagship communist state. Its capital and largest city was Moscow. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Союз Советских Социалистических Республик (Russian) Soyuz Sovetskikh Sotsialisticheskikh Respublik[a][1] 1922–1991 Flag of Soviet Union Flag (1955–1991) State Emblem (1956–1991) of Soviet Union State Emblem (1956–1991) Motto: Пролетарии всех стран, соединяйтесь! "Workers of the world, unite!" Anthem: Интернационал "The Internationale" (1922–1944) Duration: 1 minute and 15 seconds.1:15 Государственный гимн Союза Советских Социалистических Республик "State Anthem of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics" (1944–1991) Duration: 1 minute and 32 seconds.1:32 The Soviet Union during the Cold War The Soviet Union during the Cold War Capital and largest city Moscow 55°45′N 37°37′E Official languages Russian[b] Recognised regional languages UkrainianBelarusianUzbekKazakhGeorgianAzerbaijaniLithuanianMoldavian[c]LatvianKyrgyzTajikArmenianTurkmenEstonian Ethnic groups (1989) 70% East Slavs 17% Turkic 13% other Religion Secular state (de jure) State atheism (de facto) Demonym Soviet Government Federal communist state Leader ? 1922–1