25 Interesting And Amazing Facts About Russia

Explore the vast and intriguing tapestry of Russia, a land that spans across two continents and boasts a rich history, from being the birthplace of Tetris to its unexpected military collaboration with Pepsi. Delve into the depths of Lake Karachay, the most radioactive lake globally, where standing for just an hour could have astonishing consequences. From circular warships of the 1870s to the complexities of Russian superstitions, this article unravels 25 interesting facts, offering a glimpse into the diverse and sometimes eccentric facets of this enigmatic nation.

1. Largest Land Area: Russia boasts the title of the world's largest country, spanning a colossal 16,377,742 square kilometers. It sprawls across 11 time zones, making it nearly twice the size of the United States.

2. Borders Galore: Sharing its borders with a staggering 14 countries, Russia's neighbors include Norway, China, Ukraine, and North Korea, showcasing its geopolitical significance.

3. Bigger Than Pluto: Surprisingly, Russia's landmass surpasses the size of Pluto, emphasizing the enormity of this Eurasian giant.

4. Transcontinental Presence: Extending across Europe and Asia, Russia's Ural Mountains act as the conventional boundary between the two continents.

5. Lake Baikal's Grandeur: Home to Lake Baikal, Russia hosts the largest freshwater lake globally, containing about 20% of the world's unfrozen fresh water. Its depth of 1,642 meters makes it the deepest lake on Earth.

6. Mount Elbrus Dominance: Russia claims Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe, reaching an elevation of 5,642 meters.

7. Volga River's Lengthy Flow: The Volga River, the longest in Europe, stretches for approximately 3,690 kilometers, with more than 200 tributaries contributing to its extensive network.

8. Vast Forested Lands: Russia boasts the world's largest area of forests, covering a staggering 7,762,602 square kilometers, accounting for 45.4% of the country's land area.

9. Siberia's Spacious Isolation: Siberia, constituting 77% of Russia's landmass, exhibits low population density despite its vast size.

10. Population Diversity: Russia is home to over 120 ethnic groups, speaking more than 100 languages, yet ethnic Russians constitute 81% of the population.

11. Soviet Legacy: Once a dominant force in the Soviet Union, Russia emerged post-1991, establishing itself as the Russian Federation.

12. Putin's Prowess: Vladimir Putin, a former KGB agent, serves as Russia's current president, holding both prime minister and president positions twice.

13. Tetris Triumph: Created by Russian Alexey Pajitnov in 1984, Tetris, one of the world's most popular video games, originated from Russia.

14. Bizarre Beard Tax: In a peculiar historical move, Peter the Great taxed beards, compelling individuals to carry a "beard token" as proof of payment.

15. Soviet Space Conquests: Russia achieved significant milestones in space exploration, launching the first satellite, Sputnik, in 1957, and putting Yuri Gagarin into space.

16. Trans-Siberian Railroad Marvel: The Trans-Siberian Railroad, spanning 9,289 kilometers, ranks as the longest railway line globally, connecting Moscow to the Russian Far East.

17. Dasha Retreats: Russians escape urban life in summer to "Dachas," country houses, reflecting a cultural tradition.

18. Russia's Alaskan Bargain: In 1867, the USA purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, marking a real estate deal of historical proportions.

19. Polar Extremes: Russia claims both the coldest inhabited place, Oymyakon, and the coldest city, Yakutsk, on Earth.

20. Russian Superstitions: Whistling indoors and shaking hands over a threshold are believed to bring bad luck, echoing Russia's rich tapestry of superstitions.

21. Kola Super-Deep Borehole: The deepest hole on Earth, located in Russia, is named the Kola Super-Deep Borehole and reaches an incredible depth of 12 kilometers. The borehole was created to test the limits of drilling depth.

22. Remarkable Birth Record: In the 1700s, a Russian woman named Mrs. Vasudev astonishingly gave birth to an extraordinary number of children — 16 pairs of twins, seven sets of triplets, and four sets of quadruplets. The total number of children adds up to a staggering sixty-nine, making it a remarkable and mathematically intriguing feat. The odds of having such a large number of children in multiple births are exceptionally rare, making Mrs. Vasudev's case extraordinary.

23. Lake Karachay's Toxicity: Lake Karachay in Russia is notorious as the most radioactive and polluted lake globally. The lake is said to be so radioactive that even standing next to it for just one hour could be lethal.

24. Circular Warship Blunder: In the 1870s, Russia constructed a circular warship. The ship gained a poor reputation due to its subpar performance outside calm waters. Notably, it had a peculiar habit of spinning in circles, reminiscent of bouncing balls in a pinball machine.

25. Pepsi's Unusual Deal: In 1989, the Soviet Union engaged in a unique trade, exchanging 17 submarines, a cruiser, a frigate, and a destroyer to Pepsi. The purpose was to allow the sale of Pepsi in the Soviet Union. This unexpected deal temporarily made Pepsi the world's sixth-largest military power, showcasing the quirks of international diplomacy.