Why Is Russia Generally Considered a European Country?

Although ~75% of Russia's land area lies in Asia, it is historically, culturally, politically, and demographically centered on Europe:

1. Population: ~78% of Russians live west of the Urals (European Russia); Moscow, St. Petersburg, and major cities are there.
2. History: Origins in Kievan Rus' (9th c.), Muscovy, Russian Empire—all European-centered.
3. Culture: Orthodox Christianity, Cyrillic script, literary tradition (Pushkin, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky), classical music, ballet—European roots.
4. Politics: Member of Council of Europe, OSCE; participated in European diplomatic systems (Concert of Europe).
5. Economy: Core industries, finance, infrastructure concentrated in European Russia.
6. Self-identification: Russian elites historically viewed the country as a European power; "window to Europe" (Peter the Great).

Geographically, Russia is transcontinental (Europe + Asia). But in geopolitical and cultural terms, it is predominantly European.