Russia is an immensely huge and diverse country. Following are 10 things you should know about this immense country.
10 Things To Know About Russia
The largest country in the world, Russia is a conundrum wrapped up in an enigma, which has been shaken, twisted and stirred over the centuries. There are so many contradictions in the country, that it is often hard to say anything is absolute in Russia. Still, here are a few things that you should know and might just surprise you.
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1. Each year, the President of Russia has a press conference with journalists held for two hours on live television. No other leader in the world is required to do this nor does.
2. Founded in the 12th century, the Principality of Muscovy, was dominated for over 200 years by the Mongols.
3. Under Peter the Great, 1682 to 1725, Russia was extended to the Baltic Sea and the country was renamed the Russian Empire.
"The Romanovs achieved prominence as boyars of the Grand Duchy of Moscow and later the Tsardom of Russia under the reigning Rurik dynasty, which became extinct upon the death of Tsar Feodor I in 1598. The Time of Troubles was caused by the resulting succession crisis, where several pretenders and imposters (False Dmitris) fought for the crown during the Polish–Muscovite War. On 21 February 1613, Michael Romanov was elected Tsar of Russia by the Zemsky Sobor, establishing the Romanovs as Russia's second reigning dynasty. Michael's grandson Peter I established the Russian Empire in 1721, transforming the country into a great power through a series of wars and reforms. The direct male line of the Romanovs ended when Elizabeth of Russia died in 1762 leading the House of Holstein-Gottorp, a cadet branch of the German House of Oldenburg that reigned in Denmark, to ascend to the crown under Peter III.[2] Officially known as the House of Romanov, descendants after Elizabeth are sometimes referred to as "Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov".[3] The abdication of Tsar Nicholas II on 15 March 1917 as a result of the February Revolution ended 304 years of Romanov rule, establishing the Russian Republic under the Russian Provisional Government in the lead up to the Russian Civil War. In 1918, the Tsar and his family were executed by the Bolsheviks and the 47 survivors of the House of Romanov's 65 members went into exile abroad.[4]" source: Wikipedia
4. In 1917, The Communists under Vladimir Lenin seized power and formed the USSR.
5. Following the death of Lenin, Josef Stalin became the supreme ruler of Russia. He killed more of his own citizens than the Nazis terminated in World War II.
6. General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev tried to put severe limits on the amount of vodka sold in the country, but gave up after Russians started brewing their own.
7. Russians beer contains varying degrees of vodka.
8. Russia has massive naturally resources including oil, diamonds, natural gas, coal, gold and timber.
9. The population of Russia was estimated in 2005 to be 143,420,309. The population is stagnating and the government now offers financial incentives to couples that have children.
10. There are approximately 10 million more woman than men in Russia.
To really understand Russia, one need only look at the flag of the country. It is adorned with a two headed eagle, with one head looking to the west and one to the east. Practically speaking, this is demonstrative of Russia's geography. Being so very large, the country is really many in one. The areas found in the west such as Moscow and St. Petersburg look to and are influenced by Europe. The areas in the Far East such as Vladivostok have a much more Asian feel.
Anyway you slice it, Russia is an amazing country. If the opportunity presents itself to take a trip to the country, you should snap it up.
