Interesting Facts About Russia

Russia is the largest country in the world, covering an area of 17,098,242 square kilometers (6,601,670 square miles). It is also the world’s ninth most populous country, with more than 144 million people. This huge country has a fascinating culture, a long and turbulent history, and some truly amazing facts. Here are 30 interesting facts about Russia that will surprise you.

1. The world’s deepest lake is located in Russia

Lake Baikal is a rift lake located in Siberia, Russia. It is the world’s deepest lake and holds 20% of the world’s fresh water. It is also among the clearest of all large lakes, with a visibility of up to 40 meters (131 feet).

2. The world’s longest railway line is in Russia

The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway line in the world. It runs from Moscow to Vladivostok, covering a distance of 9,289 kilometers (5,777 miles). The journey takes 7 days and 8 nights, and is considered one of the world’s greatest train journeys.

3. The world’s largest country is Russia

Russia is the world’s largest country, covering an area of 17,098,242 square kilometers (6,601,670 square miles). It is more than twice the size of the second largest country, Canada.

4. Russia has the world’s largest forest

The Russian taiga is the world’s largest forest. It covers an area of 8,000,000 square kilometers (3,089,000 square miles), making it almost the size of Australia.

5. Russia was the first to send a man into space

In 1961, the Soviet Union launched the first man into space. Yuri Gagarin was the first human to journey into outer space, and he spent 108 minutes in orbit.

6. The world’s highest mountain is in Russia

Mount Elbrus is the highest mountain in Europe, and is located in the Caucasus Mountains of southwestern Russia. It has an elevation of 5,642 meters (18,510 feet).

7. Russia has 9 time zones

Russia is so large that it encompasses 9 different time zones. These time zones span from Kaliningrad in the west to Kamchatka in the east.

8. The world’s longest river is in Russia

The Volga is the longest river in Europe and the fourth longest river in the world. It is 2,294 kilometers (1,425 miles) long and flows through central Russia, from the Valdai Hills to the Caspian Sea.

9. Russia has the world’s longest border

Russia has the world’s longest border, stretching 20,241 kilometers (12,577 miles) from the Baltic Sea in the west to the Bering Sea in the east. It shares this border with 14 countries, including China, Finland, Norway, and the United States.

10. The world’s largest library is in Russia

The Russian State Library in Moscow is the largest library in the world. It has over 44 million items, including books, manuscripts, and maps.

11. The world’s oldest university is in Russia

The National University of Tomsk is the oldest university in Russia, and one of the oldest in the world. It was founded in 1888 and is located in the city of Tomsk in Siberia.

12. Russia has the world’s largest McDonald’s

The world’s largest McDonald’s is located in Moscow, Russia. It has 700 seats and covers an area of 2,200 square meters (23,680 square feet).

13. Russia has the world’s longest bridge

The Vasco da Gama Bridge in Moscow is the world’s longest bridge. It is 11,197 meters (36,741 feet) long, and crosses the Moskva River.

14. The world’s deepest metro station is in Russia

The Park Pobedy metro station in Moscow is the deepest metro station in the world. It is 85 meters (279 feet) deep, and is located on the Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya Line.

15. Russia has an active volcano

The Klyuchevskaya Sopka is the highest volcano in Eurasia. It is located in Kamchatka, Russia, and is 4,750 meters (15,584 feet) high.

16. Lake Baikal is the world’s oldest lake

Lake Baikal is the world’s oldest and deepest lake. It is estimated to be 25-30 million years old, and is located in Siberia, Russia.

17. Russia has the world’s deepest frozen lake

Lake Vostok is the deepest frozen lake in the world. It is located in Antarctica, and is 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) deep.

18. Russia has the world’s longest river island

The Volga River Island is the world’s longest river island. It is located in the Volga River in central Russia, and covers an area of 3,424 square kilometers (1,324 square miles).

19. Russia has the world’s largest bell

The Tsar Bell is the largest bell in the world. It is located in the Kremlin in Moscow, and is 6.14 meters (20.1 feet) tall and 6.6 meters (21.7 feet) in diameter.

20. The world’s oldest tree is in Russia

The Siberian Pine is the world’s oldest tree. It is located in the Republic of Karelia in Russia, and is estimated to be over 5,000 years old.

21. Russia has the world’s longest pipeline

The Druzhba pipeline is the world’s longest pipeline. It runs from western Siberia to Central and Eastern Europe, and is 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles) long.

22. Russia has the world’s oldest tree ring

The Yedoma tree ring in the Kola Peninsula is the world’s oldest tree ring. It is estimated to be over 8,000 years old.

23. Russia has Europe’s highest mountain

Mount Elbrus is Europe’s highest mountain, and is located in the Caucasus Mountains of southwestern Russia. It has an elevation of 5,642 meters (18,510 feet).

24. Russia has the world’s most northerly city

The city of Norilsk is the world’s most northerly city. It is located in Siberia, Russia, and has a population of 175,000 people.

25. Russia has the world’s deepest lake cave

The Krubera Cave in Abkhazia, Russia, is the deepest known lake cave in the world. It is 1,710 meters (5,610 feet) deep.

26. The world’s longest road bridge is in Russia

The Crimean Bridge is the world’s longest road bridge. It connects Crimea with mainland Russia, and is 19 kilometers (11.8 miles) long.

27. Russia has the world’s most northerly railway

The Bovanenkovo-Ukhta Railway is the world’s most northerly railway. It connects the Yamal Peninsula with the rest of Russia, and is 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) long.

28. Russia has the world’s largest submarine

The Typhoon-class submarine is the largest submarine in the world. It is 574 feet (175 meters) long and has a displacement of 48,000 tons.

29. Russia has the world’s tallest statue

The Mother Motherland statue in Kiev is the world’s tallest statue. It is 102 meters (335 feet) tall and is located in Ukraine, but was built by the Soviet Union.

30. Moscow is the most populous city in Europe

Moscow is the most populous city in Europe, with a population of over 12.5 million people. It is also the most populous city in Russia, and accounts for more than 10% of the country’s population.

Conclusion

Russia is an incredibly fascinating and diverse country. From its immense size to its incredible cultural and historical heritage, there is so much to discover about this vast nation. These 30 facts about Russia give you a glimpse into the fascinating world of this great nation.