Russia covers one sixth of earth’s land mass and offers plenty of attractions and activities to discover. From famous gulags to its world’s longest railway, Russia holds plenty of fascinating facts for you to uncover.
Did you know that Russians do not present even numbers of flowers at once and their surnames differ depending on gender?
1. Russia is the largest country in the world
World geography boasts an eclectic variety of countries, each boasting their own history, geography, and culture. Few nations rival Russia in size or influence; its vast expanse straddling two continents will surely captivate even seasoned travelers.
What often takes onlookers by surprise is Russia’s surprisingly low population density despite being the world’s largest country. This may be attributed to various factors including its immense size and many of its citizens residing in colder regions such as Siberia.
Russian people are known for being highly patriotic and loyal, making it hard for them to leave their homeland. Many believe this loyalism stems from years of Soviet rule, yet it has long been part of their identity and helped make Russia one of the most powerful countries on earth.
Russia is an innovator in space exploration and boasts some of the most spectacular natural wonders on the planet, including Lake Baikal (the deepest lake on Earth). Russia is famous for its Red Square (Krasnaya ploshchad), but contrary to popular belief it does not take its name from brick color alone; rather its name derives from Russian word meaning beautiful (bashchka).
Russia is famed for both its geographic and cultural riches, but also for its incredible diversity. Home to over 120 ethnic groups who speak various languages, most Russians trace their ancestry back 1,500 years when the Slavs settled the area; during modern times however Russia has produced some of its greatest thinkers and artists such as Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky as writers while composers such as Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky have all come from this great nation.
Russians have long been known for their passion for exploration, contributing to scientific discovery in areas like chemistry, biology and geology. Additionally, its sports teams are widely respected due to their skill and strength – not to mention being home of one of humanity’s first astronauts, Yuri Gagarin.
2. Russia is the only country in the world to have its own currency
As far as world nations go, many have their own currency – Russia stands out among them with their ruble being backed by gold reserves larger than those held by the US; this strong economy owing to this unique economic system is why Russians can maintain such strong economies.
While Russia may no longer be as widely recognized as it was during the Cold War, it still holds great influence and relevance to global society. Bordering 14 countries and offering an abundance of cultures – many travelers travel there in hopes of being surprised at what awaits them when they get there! Many visitors want to travel through or even visit Russia themselves and are often amazed at what awaits them when they do visit.
One of the first sights you will notice upon arriving in Russia is the Kremlin, an immense medieval fortified complex and official residence of President of Russia since 2nd Century BC. Situated along Moskva River’s bank, it has long been seen as the source of power.
The Kremlin also contains Red Square, one of Russia’s most iconic landmarks and site of many significant events such as the 1917 revolution that overthrew their tsar and established an elected government; marking the beginning of communism in Russia that eventually lead to its formation into an umbrella bloc called United Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R), comprising of Russia and 11 other nations.
After the revolution, the Soviet government attempted to industrialize Russia and catch up with advanced capitalist countries of the West. To do this, machinery and manufactured goods needed to be imported, along with technicians mainly from Germany and America – making Russia the biggest international debtor by 1914.
Preceding World War I, inflation was one of the primary contributors to Russian instability; war with multiple foreign powers further compounded this issue. Beginning in 1947, they introduced a new currency known as the ruble which replaced their inflation-inflated money with one new ruble; 10 old rubles equalled 1 new ruble which helped control black markets but didn’t do much for inflation either.
3. Russia is the only country in the world to have its own language
Russia boasts its own distinct language – one of the six official world languages, Russian is currently spoken by 154 million native speakers and ranks seventh most-spoken based on Ethnologue statistics. Additionally, online, Russian is fifth-most-used (after English, Chinese Spanish and Hindi).
Many people believe Russia to have its own distinct culture. For instance, many believe vodka to have originated from Poland; however, Russians adapted and transformed this spirit into their signature drink; now known worldwide.
Russia boasts the world’s deepest lake, Baikal. Additionally, there are eleven time zones and an immense variety of climates from deserts to snowy tundra and Arctic forests – from deserts to snowy tundra and Arctic forests. One town called Oymyakon in Siberia is even considered the coldest spot in the world with average winter temperatures reaching as low as -50degC! Despite these harsh temperatures however, Russia remains an impressive nation boasting Europe’s longest river Volga as well as second-largest lake Ladoga as superlatives!
Russia is also home to many great writers, such as Leo Tolstoy – author of such classic novels as War and Peace and Anna Karenina – and Dmitri Mendeleev who created the Periodic Law.
However, Russia will likely never become the world’s dominant language due to more people speaking English and Mandarin Chinese than Russian; furthermore, learning Russian may not be as accessible.
If you want to give Russian a try for yourself, Babbel’s user-friendly language learning app might just be what you need! Available across multiple devices and with lessons tailored specifically to fit into any schedule – five minutes up to an entire day’s study! Plus if you plan to move abroad it could even give an edge as a great way of staying ahead!
4. Russia is the only country in the world to have its own religion
Orthodox Christianity is by far the most widespread faith in Russia, due to its history as part of Byzantium Empire and Czarist rulers using Christianity to legitimize their rule and mythologize it as the Third Rome – giving Russia its holy destiny that would redeem humanity.
Russians are well known to enjoy drinking vodka to cope with almost every situation; indeed, some have speculated that they chose Orthodox Christianity solely so they could continue imbibing shots! Additionally, Russians enjoy eating plenty of bread; it is customary to greet important guests with a dish of bread and salt when greeting important visitors from overseas. Prior to 2011, beer was even considered food instead of an alcoholic drink in Russia! They certainly know how to party!
Russia once enjoyed a high birthrate, with 2.5 children per woman born between 1950 and 2010, but this trend is now becoming less of an expectation as younger people opt to remain single or move out from under their parents’ roofs.
Russia boasts an astounding literacy rate, with 99.7% of its population being able to read and write. Furthermore, Russia is the only country worldwide using Cyrillic alphabet instead of Latin alphabet for writing purposes. Furthermore, nature lovers will find abundant beauty here – from frozen lakes and snowcapped mountains to lush forests; Russia truly is an amazing country.
If you’re intrigued by Russia and want to learn more, take a look at our tours! You won’t be disappointed, and any queries can always be directed at us; we would love to help plan the perfect trip; simply call or email and we will be more than pleased to assist!