Russia, the vast land stretching across continents, holds more secrets than nesting dolls. While we may think of chilly landscapes, historical tsars, and maybe even bears, there’s a whole lot more to this enigmatic country.
1. Feline Guardians of Art: Russia’s Hermitage Museum, an art treasure trove, has a rather unique security force. For over two centuries, cats have patrolled the halls, keeping pesky rodents at bay. These felines are even considered part of the staff, with dedicated caretakers and official titles!
2. Land of Extremes: Hot and Cold Forget stereotypes of perpetual winter. Russia boasts incredible climatic diversity. Oymyakon , in Siberia, holds the record for the coldest inhabited place on Earth, dipping to a bone-chilling -90°F! However, southern Russia near the Black Sea enjoys a subtropical climate , perfect for growing citrus fruits and hosting palm trees.
3. Lake Karachay: The Place You Don’t Want to Picnic Nestled in the Ural Mountains lies a lake with a not-so-charming title: The Most Polluted Spot on Earth . Lake Karachay’s radioactive leftovers from a nearby nuclear facility make it incredibly hazardous. Spending just a few hours near it could be fatal.
4. Chess Anyone? A Suburb Dedicated to the Game Russians are serious about chess. In fact, Moscow has an entire suburb dedicated to the game called Gorodok . Here, streets are named after chess greats, buildings resemble chess pieces, and there’s even a giant chessboard park for public matches.
5. The Island of Kizhi Pogost: A Fairytale Come to Life On scenic Lake Onega lies Kizhi Pogost , a captivating island boasting a cluster of 22 historic wooden churches, chapels, and bell towers. These architectural wonders, some dating back to the 14th century, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for history and architecture buffs.
6. The Baikal Sanctuary: Home to a Freshwater Gem Lake Baikal in Siberia is a natural wonder. As the world’s deepest freshwater lake, it holds a staggering 20% of the Earth’s unfrozen surface freshwater. This breathtaking lake is also home to a unique ecosystem with fascinating flora and fauna, like the Baikal seal , the world’s only exclusively freshwater seal.
7. Tea Time in Russia While vodka may hold a place in Russian culture, tea is the true national beverage. Russians consume massive quantities of tea, with a strong preference for black varieties brewed strong and often accompanied by jams, honey, or lemon.
8. The Hermitage’s Psychic Cat Adding to the mystique of the Hermitage’s feline guardians, legend speaks of a psychic cat named Achilles. This particular cat is said to have a special ability to predict which visitors will have good luck.
9. The World’s Largest Collection of Squirrel Memorabilia Believe it or not, Russia holds the record for the world’s most extensive collection of squirrel-related items. A resident of Novosibirsk, Vladimir Grigoriev, has amassed over 2,000 squirrel figurines, postcards, and other paraphernalia, a testament to his love for these furry creatures.
10. The Depths of the Kola Superdeep Borehole: Reaching for the Earth’s Mantle The Kola Superdeep Borehole, located on the Kola Peninsula, is the deepest man-made hole on Earth, reaching a staggering depth of over 7 miles. Drilled for scientific purposes, it provided valuable insights into the Earth’s crust and mantle.
