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Russia

Facts of use / interest





Location: Northern Asia (that part west of the Urals is included with Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean.
Capital: Moscow.
Population: 144,526,278.
Languages: Russian.
Currency: Russian ruble.
Country Structure: 49 oblasts, 21 republics, 10 autonomous okrugs, 6 krays, 2 federal cities and 1 autonomous oblast.

  • Peter the Great realised that European men were usually clean-shaven, and in an attempt to westernise Russia put a tax on men’s beards.

  • Siberia means ‘land of sleep’ and is 75 per cent of Russia’s landmass.

  • It is illegal to consume vodka and other hard liquor on the street, but beer is classified as a soft drink. This is soon to change: legislation is coming into place which will also forbid public beer drinking so get over here quick. All together now... awww!

  • Lake Baikal in Siberia has the world’s only fresh water seals. Nerpa is the deepest lake in the world and holds 1/5 of all our fresh water. Okholon island in the middle of the lake is said to be the birthplace of Ghenghis Khan.

  • Moscow Metro is the oldest in the world, first welcoming passengers in 1930. It has some of the deepest underground metro stations in the world. They were built to act as shelters in the case of attack by Russia’s enemies. This explains why the escalators are so long. Hold on tight because it’s a long way down.


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