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The Russian Federation consists of 89 federal subjects. A federal subject can be a republic, oblast, krai,<ref>The word "krai" has the same root origin as ''u kraya'' or "Ukraine", historically referring to the vast territories located along the periphery of the Russian state. The word ''krai'' means "border" or "edge", literally "cut off" or the end.</ref> cities of federal status, autonomous districts, and one Jewish autonomous region. Each subject has an equal status. Each subject has a chief leader who may be a governor, mayor, or head of the region. Each region has its own legislature or parliament which can adopt local laws that do not contradict the federal law. There is almost no difference between an oblast and krai, the only difference is that krai can include oblasts, and an oblast has no further subdivisions.   

The Russian Federation consists of 89 federal subjects. A federal subject can be a republic, oblast, krai,<ref>The word "krai" has the same root origin as ''u kraya'' or "Ukraine", historically referring to the vast territories located along the periphery of the Russian state. The word ''krai'' means "border" or "edge", literally "cut off" or the end.</ref> cities of federal status, autonomous districts, and one Jewish autonomous region. Each subject has an equal status. Each subject has a chief leader who may be a governor, mayor, or head of the region. Each region has its own legislature or parliament which can adopt local laws that do not contradict the federal law. There is almost no difference between an oblast and krai, the only difference is that krai can include oblasts, and an oblast has no further subdivisions.   

A republic has its own Constitution and can establish its own State languages. As a general rule, the language of the ethnic group that dominates in that republic is the official language. Dagestan for example, has over 40 languages, and 14 are official languages.  

A republic has its own Constitution and can establish its own State languages. As a general rule, the language of the ethnic group that dominates in that republic is the official language. [[Dagestan]] for example, has over 40 languages, and 14 are official languages.  

There are 193 ethnic groups living in these federal subjects, and according to the Institute of Linguistics, there are 277 languages and dialects in Russia. The common element that unites these diverse groups is the Russian language. There are two different words to distinguish between an ethnic Russian, and a non-ethnic Russian speaker, ''Russkia'' and ''Rossiyane''.  Ethnic Russians make up about 75% of the population. A poll conducted in 2022 by Interfax found:

There are 193 ethnic groups living in these federal subjects, and according to the Institute of Linguistics, there are 277 languages and dialects in Russia. The common element that unites these diverse groups is the Russian language. There are two different words to distinguish between an ethnic Russian, and a non-ethnic Russian speaker, ''Russkia'' and ''Rossiyane''.  Ethnic Russians make up about 75% of the population. A poll conducted in 2022 by Interfax found: