Okay,
So... I am in 'synchronous rotation', which means that I rotate about my axis in the about same time it takes to orbit the Earth. This results in keeping nearly the same face turned towards you on Earth at all times!
I used to rotate at a faster rate, but early in history, my rotation slowed and became locked in this orientation as a result of frictional effects associated with tidal deformations caused by the Earth.
Small variations in the angle of which you can see me on Earth allow for you to see about 59% of my surface, but only half at any instant.
It was the Russians who were the first to take photographs of my 'far side' through the Soviet Space Program, Luna 3 in 1958.
Link:
"The Unseen Side of the Moon":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTmovPeu3GM
The side of me that faces the Earth is called the "near side", and the opposite side, is called the "far side". The far side of me is often inaccurately called the "dark side" just like Pink Floyds' 1973 concept album "The Dark Side of the Moon"- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d78K4rCEfAo&feature=related, but in fact it is illuminated exactly as often as the near side: once, per lunar day.
A distinguishing feature of my "far side" is that its almost complete lack of maria.
