If you’d like to impress your Russian friends with your local knowledge and increase your chances of being crowned the next pub quiz champion, take a look at these 15 fun facts about Russia!
1. Russia is absolutely massive
Russia is a huge country spanning both Europe and Asia!
It is bordered by Norway and Finland to the northwest, China and North Korea to the southeast, Mongolia and Kazakhstan to the south, Azerbaijan and Georgia to the southwest and Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Poland to the west.
To find yourself in the home of vodka, head for the coordinates 60.0000° N, 90.0000° E.
2. No, seriously – Russia is SERIOUSLY massive!
The total land area of Russia is 6,592,850 square miles (17,075,400 square kilometres) – that’s more than 70 times the size of the UK!
3. Russia is a record-breaker on size alone
Russia is the largest country in the world! In fact, Russia is so big that it’s actually larger than Pluto!
Due to being such a large country, the terrain here varies wildly, from broad plains, to forests, mountains and even Siberian tundra!
4. Russia is surprisingly sparse
Russia’s population was 144.1 million in 2020 – that means despite its vast size, it only has a little more than twice the UK population!
5. Russia’s citizens have a collective name
As you may already know (or have guessed), residents here are known as Russians.
6. Moscow itself is pretty big!
The capital of Russia is Moscow; it covers an area of 970 square miles (2,511 square kilometres) and had a population of 12.2 million in 2015.
7. Russia has a bizarre climate
Russia’s climate ranges from humid continental to subarctic, depending on where you are in the country.
8. Russia and America are closer than you think
Did you know that at the nearest point, Russia and USA are only 2.5 miles apart?
In fact, USA actually purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 for the princely sum of $7.2 million! That’s right, $7.2 million in 1867!
9. Russia boasts record-breaking waters
Lake Baikal in Siberia is not only the world’s deepest lake at an incredible 5,314 feet deep, but also the world’s largest freshwater lake, covering 12,248 square miles… that’s almost 5 times the size of Devon!
10. Russia’s train connections are seriously lengthy
Russia is also home to the world’s longest railway line at an astonishing 5,772 miles long!
11. Russia has a unique currency
To purchase some crystal clear vodka whilst in Russia you’ll need to exchange some money for Russian Ruble, the official currency here.
12. Russia’s alcohol rules are pretty creative
Amazingly, until 2013 any alcoholic beverage under 10% proof sold in Russia wasn’t considered alcoholic!
13. Russian citizens live well into their seventh decade
The average life span here is 72.66 years (2018).
14. Russia provides a balance of food produce
Russia grows grain, sunflower seeds, vegetables and sugar beet; they also rear cattle.
15. We depend on Russia for all kinds of daily essentials
Its industry consists of mining and extractive industries, shipbuilding, machine building and road, rail and communications equipment.
Russia exports petroleum and petroleum products, wood, wood products, natural gas, metals and fur.
FAQs about Russia
It’s… technically both! It’s part of the region known as Eurasia, too.
Russia is best-known for its chilly climate, its stunning buildings, its revolutionary history… and its vodka!.
While in Russia, you’ll likely enjoy borscht, a type of soup, and kasha, a form of porridge. Is Russia in Europe or Asia?
What’s Russia most famous for?
What are some famous foods from Russia?
Do you know any fun facts about Russia? Share them in the comments below!
Are you fascinated with all things Soviet? Check out these fun facts about the Kremlin…
