Russian President Vladimir Putin handed over power to his successor Dmitry Medvedev at the Kremlin on Wednesday, completing his eight years in office.
The popular Russian head of state's two terms in office were characterized by tight schedules, a booming economy, political stability at home, as well as worse relations with the West.
On average, Putin held about 145 meetings with foreign officials every year since he took office in 2000. In addition, Putin had more than 100 phone conversations with foreign leaders every year.
Putin has made 192 foreign visits to 74 countries and 187 regions. Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Germany, Belarus, China and the United States topped the destination list, Kremlin figures show.
He attended international events frequently, including 64 summits of the Commonwealth of Independent States, 17 Russian-European Union summits, seven Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summits and three sessions of the United Nations General Assembly.
During his terms, Putin made 206 trips on Russia's vast land, including visits to 212 cities, towns and settlements.
The Kremlin's official website contains the president's almost 5,000 speeches, statements, verbatim reports and articles.
Thanks to soaring oil prices during Putin's presidency, the inflow of petro-dollars boosted the economy of the energy-rich country.
In the last five years, the Russian economy grew at an annual rate of over 7 percent, except for 2005, when its GDP expanded 6.4percent. The economic growth reached 8.1 percent in 2007.
Unemployment in Russia stood at 6.1 percent as of last December and the real monetary incomes of citizens rose 10.4 percent in 2007 compared with 2006, the Federal State Statistics Service said.
Source: Xinhua
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