Moscow climate is continental, though mild. There are no severe frosts or excessive heat, although deviations from normal seasonal temperatures are quite frequent. December, for example, might bring along long-run thaws. In summer, periods of heat might be alternated with the sudden cold weather and protracted rains. On average Moscow has 194 days of above-zero and 103 days of below-zero temperature every year.
The Moscow Region is located in the basin of the Volga, Oka, Klyazma, and Moscow rivers and covers an area of 46 000 square km, which is considerably larger than Denmark, Switzerland, or Belgium.
Forests cover a third of the territory of Moscow Region. They are home to elk [the European moose], wild boar, deer, foxes, weasels, lynx, and martens, as well as all kinds of birds.
