My 14 years in St. Petersburg combined with 2 years in Yekaterinburg have allowed me to witness the entire length of Russia from its imperial waterways to its mountainous Ural region. The vast network of mysterious contents within this complex country mostly stays hidden from what guidebooks reveal. This collection of 30 facts provides an overview of Russia that might inspire you to develop an affection for this country.
1. Russia holds the title as Earth's biggest nation extending across 11 time zones while incorporating more than one-eighth of the entire inhabitable land surface. Eleven time zones extend across Russia which takes up more than one-eighth of every habitable land area on Earth. St. Petersburg and Vladivostok situated in the same country require an 8.5-hour flight across its vast territory. The philosophical interpretation of geography leads to a shifting perspective of space and distance which exists as common knowledge in this area.
2. The cultural hub of Russia belongs to St. Petersburg. The city residents affectionately refer to it as "Piter" because it resembles Venice and Paris. The city offers visitors a sensory experience through the romantic canals and neoclassical architecture and its abundant collection of over 200 museums. I experience shivers every time I walk through the Winter Palace at the Hermitage Museum since its extensive collection of over 3 million pieces transforms with each visit.
3. Yekaterinburg
Throughout its expansive territory Russia maintains a distinct city which extends between European and Asian territories The geographical position of my home city Yekaterinburg allows it to exist where Europe interacts with Asia. Travelers eager to capture the perfect picture should visit the monument which allows you to put one foot in Europe while the other stands in Asia.
4. The language of Russia unlocks unexpected magical elements. The Cyrillic alphabet dominates Russian writing but when you learn its structure you'll discover its lyrical nature. The Russian language provides numerous specific words for snow which differentiate its appearance according to temperature and density. This language operates perfectly as a narrative device.
5. Most Russians consume cup after cup of tea every single day. National drink of Russia is tea rather than the mythological vodka. Russian families drink hot strong black tea from samovars accompanied by sushki, varen'ye and cookies as they come together around these tea-making devices. It’s not just a drink; it’s a ritual of togetherness.
6. Russia holds an enormous lake which stands as the deepest body of water existing on Earth. Located in Siberia Lake Baikal reaches depths exceeding 1600 meters while holding twenty percent of all unfrozen surface water on Earth. The water of Lake Baikal maintains transparent crystals throughout its winter months so that visitors can skating for thousands of meters. Additionally the lake shelters endemic Hawaiian-like species called the Baikal seal (nerpa).
7. Russian winters establish a powerful yet magnificent presence in the country. Even though temperatures can reach -30°C during winter it remains a marvelous season. St. Petersburg transforms into a fairy-tale setting when its snowy streets and lanterns illuminate the bakeries. The bitter cold serves as a frame for the warm experiences experienced within homes and conversations and throughout traditional events.
8. New Year in Russia exceeds the celebrations of Christmas. Russia celebrates its largest holiday on New Year's Eve through spectacular fireworks displays and extensive feasts alongside visits from Father Frost and Snow Maiden. The Orthodox Christmas festival follows on January 7 while remaining both religious and dignified.
9. Moscow's underground stations resemble royal buildings. Both St. Petersburg and Moscow offer their metro passengers Avtovo and Komsomolskaya stations which epitomize architectural extravagance. Using only $0.50 you can experience marble columns alongside mosaics and chandeliers in the metro stations.
10. Russians are incredibly hospitable. The initial impression of apprehension vanishes the moment you receive your invitation because expect a full dining table decorated with platters of food and steaming tea followed by nightlong storytelling. Hospitality exists as a holy practice because Russians demonstrate generosity without displaying wealth.
11. Blini stands as a priceless cultural heritage of Russian cuisine. Thin crepe-like blini pancakes serve as an essential Russian dish which people pair with caviar and jam among other items. Throughout the "Butter Week" celebration of Maslenitsa people consume blini to celebrate the sun's departure of winter days.
12. During St. Petersburg’s specific time period known as ‘White Nights’ season daylight lasts virtually all day. A period of minimal sunsetting stretches between late May and early July. St. Petersburg locals walk the streets throughout the entire night while festivals light up the streets and the drawbridges over the Neva River perform a stunning sequence of steel movements and illumination.
13. Russia’s universities are increasingly international. The number of Russian universities expands their English language degree offerings particularly in business, IT, engineering and international relations fields. The populations of Yekaterinburg Kazan and Moscow have developed thriving international student populations.
14. Russian banya traditions offer a complete immersion for all parts of your body. The traditional Russian steam bath includes three elements of hot steam plus cold dips and birch-branch treatment. Going through such a process creates an intense experience which results in a feeling of cleaning and relaxation. Russians visit their banyas at least once per week which explains why it has become a weekly ritual for me too now.
15. The longest railway route on the planet provides you with an opportunity to cross from one end to the other. One of the longest rail routes in the world is the Trans-Siberian Railway which runs 9,289 kilometers until it reaches Vladivostok from Moscow. The seven-day traverse offers a panoramic view across landscapes that vary from the Ural Mountains to the Siberian forests.
16. Russians are poetic at heart. Taxi drivers in Moscow recite Pushkin while students compose essays about Tolstoy and musical artists use lyrical lines from Mayakovsky. In everyday existence literature serves as more than educational material because people use it to live their lives in addition to sharing literary quotes between each other.
17. Cats are national icons. The Hermitage Museum protects its artwork with a team of resident cats which guards against mice. Across all of Russia you find immense public affection toward cats just like you discover Instagram pages where many share their cat photos.
18. Russia has all climates. Russia extends across all environments between its southern Sochi and northern Murmansk regions. Russian citizens can enjoy skiing or sunbathing or tundra hiking without leaving their national borders. Do a double check of the weather conditions before you begin your packing process.
19. Russians love holidays. Russia celebrates over 30 public holidays starting with Defender of the Fatherland Day (Feb 23) until International Women’s Day (March 8) where women receive substantial gifts and numerous heartfelt words.
20. Superstitions are taken seriously. Nether shake hands at thresholds nor whistle indoors nor forget to sit first before starting a journey. Modern Russians maintain these cultural traditions which can cause a reaction if anyone violates them.
21. The number of bridges throughout the city exceeds the count in Venice. More than 340 bridges in the city form a complex spiderweb of illuminated water reflections because these drawbridges operate nightly in summer months. My attempts to walk over bridges have resulted in numerous instances of last bridge lift contractions.
22. Hearty food of Russian origin provides a soulful dining experience. Traditional Russian food includes the well-known dishes borscht, pelmeni, pirozhki in addition to Olivier salad. A stolovaya with its basic yet comforting food offers the best eating experience along with family dining tables.
23. Russia's public transportation system operates quicklyyet maintains low fares for passengers. The public transportation network includes clean efficient underground rail systems. Cities like Yekaterinburg have a public transportation system which includes shared vans called marshrutkas that run for only $0.30 per journey. Unpredictable, but always interesting!
24. During winter ice skating develops into a common social activity. Patching surfaces including rivers and parks allows people to skate on them while cities add festive ice rinks decked with lights and music. First-time skaters experience bruises alongside me and many other novices who cannot help but join the fun.
25. Yekaterinburg is a creative powerhouse. The fourth largest Russian city serves as a major hub for rock music and street art and contemporary design activities. World-class artists from various backgrounds gather annually at the Ural Industrial Biennial where they create what they envision in their raw and vibrant way.
26. Russians like flower gifting. For a celebration, bring an odd number; odd numbers are for funerals. Whether it's a birthday, first date, or holiday, flowers are an international sign of generosity here.
27. Russian lacks a term for "privacy". This idea, which reveals much about Russian life—communal, open, and linked—has no exact counterpart. Friendships are deep and sometimes familial.
28. Russian trains are sociable, picturesque, and sluggish. Classes on overnight trains include kupé (private cabin) and plackart (open dorm). They include hot tea in silver containers, talks with strangers, and vistas of great scenery.
29. Russian colleges are reasonably priced. Low tuition, housing assistance, and initiatives like "Open Doors" Scholarships help \tmany foreign students study in Russia. A superior degree does not have to accompany \tdebt.
30. Russia causes a trace on your spirit. Russia is a voyage by means of extremes, contrasts, and remarkable experiences, not \tjust a place. Whether it’s seeing the sun hang in St. Saint Petersburg at the stroke of \tmidnight, sharing laughs throughout tea in a Yekaterinburg kitchen, or noticing a \tstranger recite poetry on the subway, Russia urges you to feel profoundly and think \tdifferently. It influences your perspective and stays in your memories long after you \tgo.
Do you want to study in Russia?
Students find Russian education costs lower than Western institutions while enjoying an equivalent educational quality. Ural Federal University (UrFU) in Yekaterinburg and Higher School of Economics (HSE) in Moscow together with St. Petersburg State University rank among the universities offering internationally recognized programs.
Russia now offers multiple benefits including scholarships paired with English-language studies and emerging student support tools to welcome students into its global educational network.
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