Russia has long been shrouded in mystery. Both outsiders and insiders alike strive to comprehend it all.
There’s much to know about Russia – from Eastern Europe to Northern Asia and 14 time zones! Even Laika the street dog who went into space! There’s so much more than meets the eye about this remarkable nation!
1. Russia is the largest country in the world
Russia is the largest country in the world, stretching across Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Spanning over an impressive 17,098,242 square kilometers – 11% of Earth’s total landmass – Russia boasts an extremely varied landscape from world-famous Moscow to remote wildernesses in Siberia.
Most of India’s population resides in urban areas; however, the country also features stunning natural attractions like volcanoes, snow-capped mountains, and endless stretches of forest.
Russia boasts over 100,000 rivers that flow through it and Lake Baikal holds one-fifth of all liquid freshwater supply in the world, as well as being home to Mount Elbrus and several arctic islands.
Russia is home to one of the fastest-growing economies due to its abundant oil and gas reserves, yet is still plagued by corruption, ranking 127 out of 177 nations on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.
Russia is home to some of the most breathtaking natural wonders, from glaciers and volcanoes, to forests. Geographically and culturally diverse, its culture boasts traditions such as folk dancing and an appreciation of vodka.
Russia is home to some of the world’s most beloved condiments – mayonnaise being one of them – making it no secret that Russia produces most of it. Additionally, they’re well known producers of vodka, meat products such as caviar and sausages as well as being home to world renowned cuisine such as blinis. One such food staple in Russia are thin pancakes often filled with salmon or other seafood and served with vodka and sour cream for optimal enjoyment.
2. It is home to the largest lake in the world
Russia’s Lake Baikal is one of the world’s most astounding natural wonders. At 16,000 meters (5,387 feet deep), this incredible freshwater lake stands as one of the deepest freshwater bodies ever encountered on Earth.
Lake Baikal is one of the oldest lakes on Earth, having formed 25 million years ago. Surrounded by mountains and taiga forests, its beauty is unparalleled. And when winter hits, its transformation into an incredible fairy-tale landscape becomes truly captivating – something which you simply must experience first-hand!
This lake, listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1996, is an invaluable natural resource. Unfortunately, environmental pollution and overfishing threaten its existence.
Lake Baikal boasts over 1,000 species of endemic plant life and fish, such as its famed Baikal seal and unique Baikal sturgeon, making for an unparalleled ecosystem.
Most continents on Earth are divided by tectonic plates, and Lake Baikal lies along one of these continental rifts that is relatively young and active – hence why its area is widening at an extraordinary rate of two centimeters annually, far faster than any other lake on the planet.
Scientists predict this process will eventually transform Lake Baikal into an ocean, although that process could take many decades. Meanwhile, scientists are working hard to preserve this precious lake and its surrounding taiga while protecting its ecosystem from pollution and overfishing – this is crucial as Lake Baikal remains unique among large high-altitude lakes in being capable of supporting its original wildlife; all other large bodies have since been covered by glacial ice cover at some point during geological periods.
3. It has the largest population in the world
Russia, as the largest country on earth, spans across both Asia and Europe with some of the most captivating cities on the globe occupying its expansive land mass.
Russia boasts 12 cities with populations exceeding one million inhabitants, 201 that boast between 100,000 and 1 million, and 1,294 with 100,00 or less residents. Moscow alone ranks as one of the world’s most populous cities with over 12.3 million residents.
As the northernmost large and populous country in the world, much of Russia lies north of the Arctic Circle. Comprising eleven time zones and covering an area nearly as big as that of the US, Russia boasts nearly an area as big as America itself.
Russia had an estimated population peak in the early 1990s of over 148 million; however, soon afterwards its population started declining due to various factors – economic setbacks and the uncertainty created by Soviet dissolution being among them. High mortality rates and an absence of births also played a part in this population decline.
Russia currently boasts an estimated population of approximately 143 million, making it the second most populous nation after China. Russia is predominantly urban with 75% of its citizens residing in cities; most ethnicities represent within its population (ethnic Russians account for approximately 67%). Russian is officially used throughout Russia – used by literary giants such as Pushkin, Dostoevsky, Chekov Pasternak Solzhenitsyn. Other languages may also be widely spoken across Russia.
4. It has the longest river in the world
Russia boasts both the world’s biggest lake and Europe’s highest mountain, but did you know it also boasts one of the longest rivers worldwide? Siberia occupies nearly 9 percent of Russia’s landmass and boasts three of its 10 longest rivers: Lena, Yenisei and Ob.
Yenisei River or Enisei in Siberia drains an area twice the size of Alaska. At its mouth in Laptev Sea in Arctic Ocean lies one of the world’s largest deltas; depending on its source it ranges between 1,577-3442 miles long.
The Lena River in Siberia, flowing north towards the Arctic Ocean, is one of several epic Siberian rivers that form its part in that journey. As its easternmost river and the longest entirely within Russia’s borders, it covers over 2,700 miles – the world’s eleventh longest. Lined with forests and tundra along its banks are drinking sources that supply drinking, transportation and agriculture water needs.
Russia boasts one of the world’s 10 longest rivers: Volga is Europe’s longest river with an expansive drainage basin covering more than one million square kilometers and it carries two thirds of Russian waterborne cargo as well as providing power and irrigation for nearly one fourth of its population; plus it serves as home to over 130 fish species including one with one of the world’s biggest sturgeon.
5. It has the shortest day
Today is the shortest day of the year – also known as Winter Solstice and an occasion for old legends, divination, and celebrating new light. Because sun’s path varies according to its distance from equator, sunsets and sunrises vary between countries – for instance in Moscow the sun takes longer to set as its path is further from its path than London horizon.
This phenomenon is especially prominent in countries near the Arctic Circle, like Saint Petersburg in Russia. Residents here often experience “belye nochi”, or White Nights – not entirely dark but just not completely light! For the true “midnight sun”, please find latitudes above 66 degrees north where there are actual Arctic Nights! (This includes all Scandinavian countries as well as large sections of Canada.)