Spanning the largest piece of land on the planet, Russia also includes its long history with cultural assets and geographical diversity. Covering two continents, it is bursting with engrossing information that highlights its special qualities. The 20 striking facts about Russia that follow reveal various dimensions of the country’s rich character.
1. World’s Largest Country
Measuring at more than 17 million square kilometers (roughly 6.6 million square miles), Russia takes the position as the biggest nation globally. It covers greater than one-eighth of the inhabited land on our planet and extends across 11 different time zones. The large scale emphasizes a heterogeneity of landscapes, climates, and ecosystems stretching from the Arctic tundra to southern subtropical areas.
2. Diverse Population
Russia is home to above 190 ethnic groups. The Russians are the largest segment, yet important populations of Tatars, Ukrainians, Bashkirs, Chechens, and others are part of its cultural diversity. Russia showcases a rich multicultural landscape enriched by the unique languages, rules, and traditions of all ethnicities.
3. Lake Baikal: The Deepest Lake
Right now, Siberia’s Lake Baikal is the world’s top freshwater lake, as it lies 1,707 meters (5,577 feet) deep. It is additionally the first lake, approximated to be 25 million years old. Lake Baikal’s singular ecosystem, with the Baikal seal, is the only freshwater seal species on Earth and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
4. Trans-Siberian Railway
Reaching a length of about 9,289 kilometers (5,772 miles), the Trans-Siberian Railway connects Moscow with Vladivostok. The trip’s itinerary takes about seven days, enabling sightseeing of mountainous, forested, and steppe areas. This recognizable railway has acted as an important tie for both commerce and travel across Russia.
5. The Kremlin: A Symbol of Power
Home to the Kremlin, Moscow also features a protectable site that serenely plays the part of the President of Russia’s official residence. It includes amazing architecture, especially the celebrated St. Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries of being the center of Russian political authority have led the Kremlin to rank as a UNESCO World Heritage site that draws millions of tourists annually.
6. Cultural Heritage
Signal a rich cultural legacy are these: literature, music, and ballet from Russia. Those famous agricultural writers, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Chekhov, have made their mark on world literature. Together with Igor Stravinsky, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky has made a key contribution to the world of classical music. Throughout the world, Russian ballet attracts praise, mainly because illustrious dancers and shows come from the Bolshoi Ballet.
7. Vodka: The National Drink
Russians usually think of vodka as their national drink, and there’s a long history associated with vodka production and consumption in the country. “Vodka” is a term derived from the Slavic word for “water,” and production has occurred in Russia since the 8th century. Typically people enjoy vodka straight alongside standard snacks, such as pickles or cured fish.
8. Trans-Siberian Wildlife
The plentiful and miscellaneous ecosystems of Russia are sources of a rich array of wildlife. As the top cat species on Earth, Siberian tigers make their home in the woods of the Russian Far East. Also among the important species are the Amur leopard, the Baikal seal, and the Russian brown bear. Several national parks and reserves in the nation are committed to the cause of wildlife conservation.
9. The Coldest Inhabited Place
Located in Siberia, Oymyakon is the village that holds the title for the coldest humanity can live in, globally. Temperatures fell to an incredible -67.7 degrees Celsius (-89.9 degrees Fahrenheit) back in 1933. The tiny community in Oymyakon is not only thriving, but living in cold conditions, even though it can feel extremely cold.
10. Unique Alphabet
Russia began with the alphabet of Cyrillic during the 9th century when Saint Cyril and Methodius developed it. Capitalizing on years of evolution, the alphabet consists of 33 letters at present. differential than other countries using Cyrillic, Russia stands as the foremost user of this script.
11. Ballet and The Nutcracker
The talent and beauty exhibited by Russian ballet have resulted in acknowledgment. A Christmas ritual worldwide, the ballet composed by Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker, is now famous. The account highlights a young girl who starts her incredible journey with companions, revealing a world rich in dancing dolls and incredible beings. Shows of this classic by the Bolshoi Ballet have strengthened Russia’s reputation as a leading ballet country.
12. Russian Space Exploration
Thanks to their history, Russia stands out with proud claims in space exploration, given that they beat everyone to send a person into space. Circling Earth from the Vostok 1 in 1961, Gagarin achieved an important feat during the Space Race. China has executed a range of Moon missions that have been successful, and Russia is crucial for space exploration, working alongside international partners on the Soyuz program at the International Space Station.
13. Matryoshka Dolls
often called Russian nesting dolls are a famous example of Russian folk art, the Matryoshka dolls. Each wooden doll is shaped in diminishing sizes and usually decorated with elaborate designs. Tradition holds that the largest doll includes many smaller dolls which honor family and recent themes. Souvenirs for tourists in Russia have increasingly become Matryoshka dolls.
14. The Hermitage Museum
Being one of the earliest and largest in the world, the Hermitage Museum is located in St. Petersburg. The museum, founded by Catherine the Great in 1764, owns a large collection of art pieces that features pieces from Rembrandt, Da Vinci, and Van Gogh and others. The museum complex, which gets millions of visitors each year, includes multiple buildings, which include the Winter Palace.
15. Cultural Festivals
Russia stages a number of cultural festivals which pay homage to its rich heritage. Known traditionally as Butter Week, the Maslenitsa Festival celebrates both the winter’s close and the arrival of spring. The event features fun pancake meals, music from the community, and fabulous festivities. The summer solstice honors cultural festivities, presentations, and fireworks at the White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg.