20 Interesting facts about Russia

Russia has a surface area of 17 million km2 (6.6 million sq. miles), slightly more than dwarf-planet Pluto. Tweet This

In the eastern part of the country, there is a federal entity called Jewish Autonomous Oblast (Province). Tweet This

The closest distance between Russia and the U.S.A. is only 4 km (2.5 miles). Tweet This

The literacy is close to 99%. There are more than 1,000 universities in the country. Tweet This

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Putin starred in a judo DVD; Gorbachev recorded an album of romantic ballads. Tweet This

Russia is the only country in the world to have on its territory 12 seas. Tweet This

The Trans-Siberian Railway (Moscow to Vladivostok) is the longest railway worldwide. It takes 153 hours non-stop travel to cover the distance of 9,300 km (5,800 miles). Tweet This

Russia’s pipelines are over six times longer than equator. Tweet This

Russia is the only country so far to host Winter Olympic Games (2014) at a Black sea resort, in a humid subtropical climate. Tweet This

Once, Russian soldiers had a tattoo on their neck, which granted them a free drink in any pub nation-wide. Tweet This

In 2013, two drunk Russians attacked a zoo bear and beat the hell out of the poor animal. They thought it was a man in disguise. Tweet This

According to WHO statistics, only people in Belarus, Moldova and Lithuania drink more. Tweet This

Alexander Pushkin was 1/4 black. Tweet This

Historically, lunches in Russia often finished after midnight. Hence, dinner was something unknown. Tweet This

Until early 20th century, Russian prisoners had a red mark on the back of their uniform. If somebody tried to run away, guards would shoot him aiming there. Tweet This

Russians never shake hands over a door way, believing it would lead to arguments. Tweet This

Kalashnikov was originally created in 1947. Presently, there are more Kalashnikov rifles in the world than all other assault rifles combined. Tweet This

Tetris was first available in the Soviet Union, in 1985. It appeared in the West a year later. Tweet This

Ushanka (ear-flaps hat) is a traditional Russian winter hat. It’s considered wimpy to lower the ear flaps unless the temperature drops below -20C. Tweet This

Genuine “valenki” are made of wool felt. Tweet This