Rus
sia: Land of Surprising Facts
Russia is a fascinating country that is full of surprising facts. From its diverse culture to its impressive landmarks, there is no shortage of interesting things to learn about Russia. Here are some of the top cold facts about Russia that you may not know:
1. Russia is the largest country in the world, covering over one-eighth of the world's land area.
2. Despite its vast size, Russia has a relatively small population of around 144 million people. This means that it has a low population density, with many areas of the country remaining sparsely populated.
3. Moscow, the capital of Russia, is the largest city in Europe and one of the most heavily populated cities in the world, with over 12 million people living in the city.
4. Russia has over 11 time zones, making it the country with the most time zones in the world.
5. Lake Baikal, located in Siberia, is the deepest lake in the world and holds around 20% of the world's unfrozen freshwater.
6. Russia is home to the world's largest active volcano, Klyuchevskaya Sopka, which stands at over 15,000 ft in height.
7. Ballet is a significant part of Russian culture and has been since the 18th century. Famous ballets such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake were created in Russia.
8. The Russian language uses a different alphabet than English. The Cyrillic alphabet has 33 letters, including several unique to the language.
9. The Moscow Metro is one of the busiest subway systems in the world, carrying over 6 million passengers per day, making it the fastest way to get around the city.
10 Russia has a rich literary history, with authors such as Anton Chekhov, Leo Tolstoy, and Fyodor Dostoevsky all hailing from the country.
11. The Russian nesting dolls, also known as matryoshka dolls, are a popular souvenir from Russia. The dolls range in size and are typically made of wood, with each doll fitting inside the next larger one.
12. Vodka is the national drink of Russia and is renowned around the world for its quality. However, contrary to popular belief, vodka is not the most commonly consumed alcoholic beverage in the country - that honour goes to beer.
13. The Russian Military has the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world.
14. St. Petersburg, one of Russia's most beautiful cities, is built on 42 islands and is often referred to as the Venice of the North.
15. Russia is home to some of the most beautiful cathedrals and churches in the world, including St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow and the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg.
In conclusion, Russia is a fascinating country with a rich culture and history. From its vast size to its impressive landmarks, there is no shortage of interesting things to learn about Russia. Whether you are planning a trip to the country or simply want to learn more about its unique features, Russia is a land of cold facts that is sure to captivate your attention.