Russia is the world’s largest country. It covers an incredible one-tenth of the earth’s land and spans 11 different time zones. Here are seven more interesting facts about one of the greatest countries on earth.
The Biggest Big Cat in the World Lives in Russia
Seeing as Russia is so massive, it is no surprise to learn the country is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including snow leopards, small rabbit-like mammals known as pikas, and Asiatic black bears. But by far, the most exciting animal to find in the country is the Siberian tiger. Indigenous to eastern Russia’s forests, the endangered big cat is the largest in the world. It can weigh up to around 660 pounds and reach nearly 10 feet in length!
Cats Guard The Hermitage
Speaking of cats, if you ever visit Russia’s premier museum The Hermitage, in St Petersburg, you will discover around 70 cats guarding the site against rodents. The tradition dates back to 1745, under the instructions of Peter the Great’s daughter Empress Elizabeth. Madly, each cat has its own passport and receives a salary.
Durak is Russia’s Favorite Card Game
Most foreigners have never heard of Durak, but every Russian will tell you it is the most popular card game in the country by a mile. Durak, which means The Fool in English, is played with friends and family or played at a professional level. It is absent from international brick-and-mortar casinos and online casinos like Casumo. But the game can be played in Russia at some local gambling rooms in the country’s four areas where gambling is permitted. The object of Durak is to get rid of all your cards. The player who still holds cards at the end of the game is designated as The Fool.
Russia Is Home to the World’s Largest Railway
The famous Trans-Siberian Railroad is the longest railway on earth. Its length is 5,772 miles, and it covers eight different time zones. If you want to travel the whole length of the railway, it will take you about a week to complete.
Russia Is Home to the Coldest Town on the Planet
The coldest inhabited town on earth is Oymyakon in the Siberian Yakutia region. The coldest temperature ever recorded dates from 1938, at -108° Fahrenheit! Even average winter temperatures in Oymyakon are far from warm, though. In December and January, the average temperature is around -58° Fahrenheit.
Russia Has Subtropical Climates
Because Russia is so large, its climate varies greatly in different regions. So, although the coldest inhabited town on earth is located in the country, if you visit the city of Sochi on the Black Sea, you will discover it has humid summers, warm temperatures, and palm trees, making it not too dissimilar to summer resorts like Nice and Cannes.
The Largest Fortress on the Planet Is in Russia
The Kremlin in Moscow is the biggest active medieval fortress on earth. It covers over 67 acres, and its walls are more than 1.5 miles long. Dotted along the walls are twenty towers. Since it was built in the 12th century by a Russian prince, the Kremlin has been rebuilt and extended with numerous palaces and cathedrals, making it one of the world’s most incredible structures. It has been the center of power for generations.
Today, in addition to being a popular tourist attraction, the site is the President of the Russian Federation’s official residence. The Kremlin overlooks the beautiful Alexander Garden to the west, Red Square and St Basil’s Cathedral to the east, and the Moskva River to the south.
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