Facts About Russia – 6 Fascinating Things You Should Know
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Facts about Russia 1) The Longest Railway in the world
Facts about Russia: The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway in the word, and certainly one of the most iconic. The train lines cover the length of Russia and across 8 time zones. Construction began in 1891 and was completed in 1916. There are 3 routes, connects Moscow to Vladivostok (5771 miles), and the Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian routes, which extend to Beijing (4735 miles. The Moscow to Beijing journey takes 7 days and 7 nights. The train stops every few hours allowing passengers to get off the train and stretch their legs. Often, food vendors are waiting on the platform for the train’s arrival, selling traditional local cuisine. The trans-Siberian train plays an important role in the Russian economy, and it is also a significant tourist attraction.
Facts about Russia 2) Biggest Country in the World
Russia is the biggest country in the world with 6.6 million square miles, covering 11 time zones stretching from Europe to Asia. For context, the US is the fourth biggest country in the world with an area of 3.8 million square miles. The population of Russia is 144 million people making it one of the least densely populated countries on the planet. There are 11 time zones and Russia shares its border with 16 countries. Large areas uninhabitable, but the country has huge natural resources including oil, natural gas, phosphate, minerals and timber.
Facts about Russia 3) What is the Capital of Russia?
Moscow is the capital of Russia with a population of 13 million people, making it the biggest city in Europe. Moscow covers 970 square miles, New York covers 470 square miles. Famous landmarks include the Kremlin, Red Square, and St Basil’s Cathedral, famous for its 9 brightly colored spires. The city boasts some huge parks and green spaces, with Gorky Park being perhaps the most famous. There are several magnificent museums including The Pushkin Museum and The State Tretyakov Gallery. The suburbs consist of huge numbers of Soviet style apartment blocks, a throwback to its communist past. Modern Moscow has modern shopping malls and is renowned for its vibrant nightlife.
Facts about Russia 4) Caviar.
Russia is famous for caviar, a delicacy which comes from the salted roe (eggs) of the Sturgeon fish, caught in the Caspian Sea. Originally, caviar was enjoyed by royalty and aristocrats, before becoming more mainstream over time. There are 27 varieties of sturgeon, resulting in various types of caviar. Amongst the most popular are Beluga, Osetra and Sevruga. Beluga caviar has large eggs with a mild taste. Osetra caviar consists of smaller eggs with a nutty flavor, and Sevruga has the most intense flavor of the three. Caviar is traditionally served chilled on blinis (small pancakes), crackers or as an accompaniment to smoked salmon and champagne. Caviar is best served chilled and can also be used as an accompaniment for vodka.
Facts about Russia 5) Russian Language.
The Russian language is the 8th most spoken language in the world and is a Slavic Language, sharing similarities with Polish, Czech and Serbian. It uses the Cyrillic Alphabet which consist of 33 letters. Russian is the official language in Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, and is also spoken in former Soviet countries, such as Ukraine and Armenia. Russia has produced many world-renowned writers including Alexander Pushkin, Nikolai Gogol, Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky and Ivan Turgenev.
Facts about Russia 6) Matryoshka Dolls.
These iconic dolls symbolise Russian Culture. Typically, there are 4-6 dolls in each set, of declining size, which fit inside each other. Authentic dolls are handmade from Linden word and then hand painted. Traditionally they represent Russian culture, although nowadays they represent many different themes and genres. Matryoshka dolls make very popular souvenirs for tourists and are widely available across Russia. They also have worldwide appeal with collectors and children alike. Many people know that Russia is the biggest country in the world, but there is so much more to know besides. These 6 facts about Russia are merely a brief introduction into this vast and fascinating country.
