Russia is one of the largest countries in the world and vodka is one of its signature beverages; but did you know there are also numerous interesting facts about this fascinating nation that you might not be aware of?
Russia used rugs on walls as an effective way of soundproofing rooms back then; while their word pochemuchka perfectly describes someone who asks too many questions.
1. Russia is the largest country in the world
Russia is one of the world’s largest countries, covering more than half of Europe and 40% of Asia. Its vast lands contain diverse landforms and environments from Arctic deserts to lush forests; rivers and lakes such as Lake Baikal provide freshwater sources; while animals such as snow leopards, polar bears, and Siberian tigers call Russia home.
Russia is blessed with natural beauty as well as abundant resources, making it an energy superpower. With vast deposits of natural gas and oil reserves, Russia serves as a major provider for these commodities worldwide; indeed it boasts one of the largest proven reserves worldwide.
Russia is also renowned for its space program, producing most of the satellites and rockets used worldwide. Soyuz rockets provide access to space for humans; additionally, Russia boasts the world’s largest nuclear arsenal.
Russia may be vast in terms of size, but its population remains relatively small due to harsh climate and many citizens having left due to war or economic hardship.
Russia, with a relatively small population, remains a significant player in global politics. While its military might may often go underappreciated, its culture and history make for fascinating study. If you are eager to know more about this intriguing nation, here are some interesting Russian facts that should get the ball rolling!
2. It has the most cats
Felines have long been beloved companions around the world, but perhaps no country is more dedicated to felines than Russia. According to research conducted by Enjoy Russian Language School, an incredible 59 percent of Russians own one or more feline friends – the highest percentage in any country worldwide! Additionally, cats outshone other types of pets including dogs and birds as favored companions in Russia.
Cats have always been seen as symbols of Russian culture and history, while many Russians believe cats can provide protection from harmful spirits.
Since centuries ago, cats have been prized as pets both by royalty and commoners in Russia. Today, you don’t need to live in an old palace to own one; cats can be found all across Russia!
Russian breeds that are particularly beloved include Siberian, Ladakhi, and Donskoy cats. These cats feature thick coats with bobbed tails. Furthermore, these active and affectionate felines have gained widespread acclaim worldwide.
The Kurilian bobtail cat breed can only be found in Russia. As it’s an ancestral landrace breed, its traits developed naturally to meet its environment’s demands. These cats feature sharp claws resembling fishhooks for climbing trees or hunting mice or birds.
Toybob cats first appeared in Russia during the 1980s. These short, kinked tail cats can easily be confused with other bobtail breeds. Although rare, Toybob cats make excellent companions for children and other pets. Furthermore, their curious nature allows them to explore their surroundings freely while being affectionate towards humans while purring during snuggle sessions.
3. It has the coldest climate
Russia boasts the coldest climate on earth due to its geographic position and weather patterns. Surrounded by mountains and frozen lakes that create wind tunnel effects that make the temperature extremely chilly and snowy; yet Russians have long since developed strategies for dealing with their harsh winters.
Russia offers numerous ways to keep warm in winter; one way is wearing layers of clothes and covering up as much as possible, another way is eating lots of meat and fish which helps people remain toasty, or taking hot baths or drinking vodka as ways of keeping themselves cosy. If you are searching for an amazing and different experience then Russia should definitely be on your travel bucket list.
Recent extreme cold has been fuelled by an exceptionally strong polar vortex – an expanse of frigid air that wraps itself around Arctic regions like a blanket – that has kept much of it trapped there and prevented escape into mid-latitudes, thus keeping extreme cold from moving too far south into northern Europe and Russia.
At its coldest on Tuesday, Yakutia (about 3,300 miles east of Moscow) registered the lowest temperatures, where some areas reached temperatures as low as minus 67 degrees Fahrenheit – with mercury even falling through to the bottom of thermometers in Oymyakon – one of Earth’s infamous cold spots.
Yakutsk, Russia is home to the coldest major city in Russia. With an average winter temperature of -7.6 Fahrenheit (-22 Celsius), Yakutsk stands out as being home to one of the largest areas located within continuous permafrost.
4. It has a lot of trees
Russian forests cover an expansive area of the continent and are home to various tree species – including the tallest larch in the world! Additionally, Russia contains several notable ecoregions such as eastern Siberian taiga which contains one of the largest expanses of untouched boreal forest globally and provides habitat for various animals like brown bears, reindeer, moose and wolves.
Birches, another widely distributed tree in Russia, have long been held up as symbols of national pride and beauty by Slavic peoples, with famous Russian poets such as Marina Tsvetaeva, Alexander Pushkin, Anna Akhmatova all paying homage to them as symbols of spring, purity, natural beauty and healing power. Even its branches and berries can be used medicinally.
Russia boasts not only an abundance of trees but also boasts a large forest industry that produces valuable timber and wood products. Russia ranks among the leading global forest economies and accounts for 22% of total world forest coverage.
An annual selection process takes place for Moscow’s Sobornaya Ploshchad to find its New Year’s tree, taking several weeks and including experts who carefully consider shape, color and needle characteristics; size as well as disease or insect infestation issues before it is carefully transported by truck to its final destination at Kremlin’s Sobornaya Ploshchad home where it will be placed on an appropriate framework to preserve its ideal appearance and prevent any possible damage during travel.
5. It has a lot of superstitions
Though not all Russians practice superstition, some do follow traditional beliefs which may seem strange to foreigners. For instance, seeing multiple black cats at once is often taken as a bad omen; breaking mirrors is believed to bring seven years of bad luck; to combat this effect Russians bury them or place them in running water to wash away any bad fortune caused by breaking them.
Russian superstitions hold that shaking or kissing someone across their home’s threshold will bring bad luck, as doing so would scare off its spirit – so they typically avoid shaking hands or kissing anyone near doorways for this reason.
Russia believes that whistling at home will cause financial issues, while knocking on wood when hearing or saying positive words or thoughts could jinx positive outcomes.
Russians believe that gazing upon a dead animal will bring good luck. This belief stems from its fur and meat being harvested, signifying that it had been well fed prior to its demise.
Attractive Russian superstitions include the tradition of rubbing different parts of public sculptures. While this practice may be popular among tourists, locals should refrain from doing this as statues could sustain damage as a result. When visiting museums in Russia it would be wise not to rub any parts such as noses, shoes, or hands of statues; doing so might awaken ghosts who were murdered and bring them back into living existence.