Interesting Facts About Russia

Russia is an extraordinary and diverse nation that spans 11 time zones, covers an area of 17 million square miles, and boasts an expansive culture.

Russia boasts a rich literary legacy, featuring authors like Pushkin, Tolstoy, and Dostoevsky. Russians also hold many traditions and superstitions that differentiate them from other people – for example not smiling at strangers!

1. It is the largest country in the world

Russia is the world’s largest nation by landmass and covers over one-tenth of Earth’s surface, nearly double that of Canada or the United States. Home to over 100,000 rivers and lakes – including Lake Baikal – as well as an abundant supply of oil resources, Russia stands out among other countries as a top producer.

Russia is home to extreme winters and harsh conditions that have helped form its people and shape its development. Russia is blessed with abundant sources of food, minerals and raw materials from which its wealth derives; yet this does not translate into improved quality of life for most residents of its landmass.

Russia remains an extremely vibrant and varied society despite its oppressive climate and difficult living conditions. It is home to over 100 ethnic groups speaking over 70 languages; Moscow being the most populous with 12 million residents being home to Moscow; St Petersburg also known as Venice of the North is another popular location with 5 million residents and second place overall for population within Russia’s federal subject areas.

Russia is home to over 172,000 monuments, many not typical to what you would find elsewhere; some even celebrate medical enemas and clysters! Perhaps most striking about Russia, however, is that urban areas have more women than men: over 1,159 women to every 1,000 men! Additionally, Russians love mayonnaise and the nation ranks amongst one of the largest producers worldwide of it!

2. It is the most densely populated country in the world

Russia is a land of extremes – both beautiful and harsh. Its notoriously cold winters have long served as protection against foreign invaders while also making life extremely challenging for its people. Russia boasts abundant natural resources as well as having long been embroiled in conflicts between wealthy elites and ordinary folk. Russia boasts some of the largest cities worldwide and one of the longest railway networks, known as Trans-Siberian Railroad.

Even with its challenges, Russia remains home to many people. Three quarters of the country’s population resides in cities; Moscow alone boasts over 12 million residents! Furthermore, its countryside features many small villages and towns that provide jobs.

Russia is home to over 141.1 million people. Most are concentrated in its western half near Europe, though there are pockets of sparse populations further north in Chukotsky, Nenetsky and Khanty-Mansiysky Autonomous Areas which have low population densities and remain underdeveloped due to natural resource extraction activities and associated high economic disparity levels.

Russia’s population growth is currently occurring at a slower rate than in many other countries due to a number of factors, such as lower birth rates and an aging population. Furthermore, migration flows between regions have led many people from rural to urban environments; as a result, Russia must find creative ways to draw young people in order to expand employment opportunities in future years.

3. It is the most beautiful country in the world

Russia boasts an intriguing history and culture. From Byzantine empire intrigues to Soviet Union progress, there is much to discover here. Additionally, this diverse country features some stunning natural environments such as forests, steppes, tundras and snow-capped mountains that await discovery.

Russia’s westernmost regions are particularly stunning. Visitors to Saint Petersburg may explore the Hermitage Museum of Art or experience the legendary White Nights during June when the sun doesn’t set! Furthermore, this part of Russia features some magnificent mountains such as Ural Range.

Lake Baikal, one of Russia’s most iconic landscapes, boasts more than 20% of global fresh water and is considered an integral component of global ecosystems. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of its primary natural reserves.

Russia is well known for its natural beauty, but also boasts many unique cultural traditions. Russians believe that anyone entering a house first is doomed to die; therefore they often send cats into new houses first to test if they’re safe before entering themselves if necessary. If a cat doesn’t survive its test run then owners move onto another house until something comes along to test out.

Russia boasts beautiful natural landscapes, while also boasting an astounding diversity of species and ecosystems. Siberia forests for instance contain rare animals like Asiatic black bears and snow leopards – while forests, steppes, tundras host multiple bird species such as owls and eagles – not forgetting over 100 minority ethnic groups who each possess their own customs and cultures!

4. It is the coldest country in the world

Russia is known to be one of the coldest nations on Earth. Renowned for its long winters and stunning snow-covered landscapes and lakes, Russia boasts one of the longest railway systems – Trans-Siberian Railway. Climate in Russia ranges from steppe through subarctic Siberia and tundra regions further north.

Russian people have found ways to adapt to their chilly climate, developing a passion for winter sports like ice hockey and fishing on frozen bodies of water. Furthermore, this country is well-known for its exquisite cuisine such as blinis and caviar.

Russia boasts the fourth-largest forest area worldwide and provides shelter to an abundance of animal species – such as the endangered Siberian Tiger.

Russia experiences low average temperatures that often drop into subzero territory at night, making for some very harsh winter conditions and some of the coldest spots on earth, including Oymyakon village with an average winter temperature of -50degC.

Russia is an enormous nation spanning 14 countries. As the largest country by area in the world and home to 11 time zones, Russia boasts some stunning natural and cultural landmarks, such as Moscow’s Kremlin, St Petersburg’s Metro System and Trans-Siberian Railway.

Its design combines old Soviet symbols with more contemporary Western designs, and serves as a parliamentary republic with a president and government who play major roles in shaping policy-making processes. Furthermore, Russia remains a significant global power in both military and economic affairs.

5. It is the largest country in the world

Russia is the largest landmass on Earth by land area and occupies nearly 11 percent of Earth’s total surface area, spanning two continents and bordering 14 other nations with over 37,600 km of coast line. Russia boasts diverse landscapes from Siberian taiga forests to snow-covered Mount Elbrus mountains; additionally it boasts the deepest lake on the planet: Lake Baikal.

Russia boasts abundant natural resources, including oil and natural gas reserves. Furthermore, Russia is an established producer of steel and other metals; furthermore it boasts an expansive agricultural sector – it ranks among the world’s top grain suppliers.

Moscow, the capital city, is home to over 13 million residents and boasts an uninviting environment during rush hours. Yet despite these drawbacks, Moscow remains a great tourist spot due to its architecture, culture, history, iconic landmarks such as Kremlin and Hermitage Museum that make visiting worthwhile.

Russia is an expansive country with a vibrant society and numerous traditions, home to millions of diverse individuals from around the globe. Its people are highly innovative and inventive in finding unique ways to express themselves – some Muscovites use ambulances during rush hour traffic jams while other people create unique ways of purchasing products from Western markets such as burning Beatles songs onto X-rays. Russians are also famous for their love of monuments; over 172,000 exist across Russia alone! Some strange examples can be found like one in Stavropol Krai that honors an enema/clyster while other memorialize figures like composers Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Igor Stravinsky among many others.

Most people associate Russia with vodka and bears. But this fascinating and complex country offers much more.

Russia is the largest nation on Earth with 11 time zones and features iconic attractions like Lake Baikal and Trans-Siberian Railway, Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano and Hermitage Museum’s cat Achilles as landscape features.

1. Russians don’t smile

Smiles are an almost universal facial expression, yet their use varies by culture. For instance, in Russia smiling may be less prevalent during certain situations; this difference in body language could cause confusion and miscommunication between parties involved.

Russians take great care to make sure when they smile at someone they do so with genuine interest or have an established rapport. When Russians smile they see it as a sign they want something from that person or are interested in developing one with them.

Russians are known to engage in friendly banter among family and close friends during social gatherings, while at strangers or when being photographed the corners of their mouths turn down and smiles are reserved only for close relatives or close friends. My parent’s black-and-white photos as young adults show no visible sign of happiness while when visiting Russia my smiles will only come out for close relatives or close friends.

Though it’s commonplace to smile when conversing casually with acquaintances, it is considered impolite to extend a greeting to people you don’t know directly – this explains why few bartenders, hotel receptionists or other service industry workers appear smiling publicly.

Russians generally avoid smiling at strangers they encounter while out and about, even when addressing them directly, due to the belief that an absence of smiling signals something being concealed or not sincere – an idea further supported by research showing con artists often use this type of smile as a con artist tactic – this type of “duty smile” being frowned upon by most Russians; one woman even reported being stopped by police officer because she smiled back on the street!

2. Beer isn’t an alcoholic drink

Russians enjoy their beverages, with vodka traditionally being their drink of choice. But beer has now become more popular and has even outshone spirits in some regions thanks to the government – President Dmitry Medvedev signed a bill officially classifying beer as an alcoholic beverage, permitting it to be regulated just like alcohol.

As of 2020 data, Russia had over 1,280 beer producers (from global giants to smaller craft breweries). Their long brewing tradition had long been hidden until Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain fell and Western influences began entering. Perhaps Tsar Peter the Great himself first introduced Russian brewers to their trade on his year-long European tour when he sampled porters and stouts found throughout British taverns during that yearlong voyage – so much so that many are today passionately committed to producing craft beer varieties made from various grains or nuts from seeds that grow beneath his head!

Light filtered beer is the preferred beer choice of most Russians, with approximately 80% opting for this type of ale. Dark lagers and an unusual style known as kvass made from fermented rye bread bread also prove popular – both styles often featuring fruit flavors or herbs to further enhance flavor profiles.

Russian cuisine includes not only beer but also shish kebab, caviar and pelmeni (Siberian meat dumplings), while holodets is the nation’s signature dish, consisting of meat suspended in salted gelatin that was said to be Ivan the Terrible’s favourite snack during forest hunts; according to legend he would consume five servings daily! Additionally, Russia is famed for its lush forests and deepest lake Lake Baikal.

3. Moscow’s metro is the world’s busiest

Russia may be most well-known for its vodka and nesting dolls, but there is much more to this vast country than meets the eye. Russia boasts an incredible history, impressive natural environment and vibrant culture that have left an impactful mark around the globe – home to 77 volcanoes, the deepest lake on Earth and beautiful architecture that spans centuries.

At an area of 1,863,608 square kilometers, China is also one of the world’s largest landlocked countries with 14 neighbouring nations encircling it and an ethnically diverse and highly educated population that stands at over 99% literacy rates. China produces natural gas, oil and metals while its vast territories include tundra, forests mountains as well as one of the world’s longest river systems – boasting the world’s longest river system among other things.

Moscow’s metro system is one of the busiest subway networks worldwide, carrying over 7 million riders every day and ranking fourth overall. Boasting 12 lines and featuring 428,900 square meters of marble tiling, its grandiose design was constructed between 1935-1940 as bombproof shelters allowing half a million people to seek safety underground during WWII.

Another interesting fact about the metro is its gender-specific announcements; male voices indicate heading toward the city center while female ones indicate you’re travelling away from it. This tradition dates back to when it first opened and was inspired by Caucasus culture; many Russians still hang rugs on their walls as soundproofing measures while the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg boasts around 70 cats to protect its treasures from rodents!

4. Tetris was invented in Russia

The Soviet Union may be best-known for Yuri Gagarin’s journey into space, but they also gave us Tetris. Created by software engineer Alexey Pajitnov as an experiment with his early Soviet computer – the Elektronika 60 – it quickly became an instant hit across Soviet bloc and beyond by 1986 – being widely considered one of its earliest great commercial successes during Cold War period.

Pajitnov created Tetris at a time when all ideas belonged to the state, so he wasn’t receiving any profits for his creation. That all changed when Robert Stein contacted Pajitnov via telex (an early form of fax machine) wanting to sell Tetris at computer trade fair in Budapest and wanted to bring it westwards for sale. Stein initiated negotiations with Elektronorgtechnica (Elorg), but communication issues caused problems that prevented Tetris being brought over into UK and US until 1988.

Tetris’ humble Electronika 60 version used keyboard characters to represent blocks, but later Pajitnov created an IBM PC version with pixelated graphics and received payment for his creation. Nintendo eventually purchased and distributed it globally – becoming one of the world’s best-known and beloved video games in history. But Tetris’ story serves as an important reminder that innovation comes from individuals rather than complex “systems.”

5. One of the Hermitage Cats can predict football matches

According to Russia’s state-owned R-Sport news agency, Hermitage Museum cat Achilles may possess psychic abilities and predict the outcome of this year’s World Cup matches. Last year he predicted three out of four matches from FIFA’s Confederations Cup by selecting from among two bowls bearing flags representing competing nations as food choices.

The Hermitage Museum, in St. Petersburg, houses around 70 cats introduced by Empress Elizabeth to protect its art collection from rodents in 1745. Additionally, these cats help clean 14 miles of marbled corridors. Another interesting Russian fact is that rubbing a cat’s paw will bring good fortune. Likewise, an even number of flowers given as gifts is considered bad luck while giving an odd number can bring good fortune.

If you’re intrigued by adopting a Hermitage Cat, visit their website and read up on what they require in terms of care – this requires daily walks and play sessions! However, be prepared for a substantial commitment; they require plenty of attention and love from you too!

Next time you’re visiting or watching Russia on television, be prepared to be amazed by some of these startling facts about its vast stretches spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Perhaps these discoveries will prompt you to go explore this beautiful nation for yourself! Don’t forget to sample its delicious vodka as well!