Russia is a massive country stretching across both Europe and Asia, yet many people don’t know much about it. While Russia often makes headlines, there’s also a lot of fascinating and lesser-known information about it. Let’s take a look at some interesting facts that might surprise you. If you already know even a few of these, consider us impressed!
No Word for Fun
Did you know that there isn’t a direct translation for the word ‘fun’ in Russian? That doesn’t mean Russians don’t enjoy themselves—it’s just that they use other words for it. The closest term they use is ‘веселье,’ which means joy or merriment.
Just like in English, where we have words like enjoyment, pleasure, or entertainment, Russian has similar expressions. Still, it’s interesting that there’s no single word that exactly matches ‘fun.’
Gas-Sniffing Bears
In some remote parts of Russia, bears have developed a strange habit—they sniff leftover gasoline and kerosene. These fuel containers are often abandoned in the wilderness, and the bears have become drawn to them.
Photographer Igor Shpilenok observed this odd behavior for months. Some bears even followed helicopters, hoping for fuel leaks. It’s an unusual and unexpected consequence of human activity in their environment.
Superstition About Whistling
Superstitions exist everywhere, and Russia is no exception. While some believe in bad luck from broken mirrors or black cats, Russians have an unusual belief about whistling indoors.
According to this superstition, whistling inside a house can cause money to leave. The belief comes from the idea that whistling is carefree and linked to a lack of intelligence, which could lead to financial troubles.
Russia’s Long Rivers
Russia is home to some of the longest rivers in the world. The Volga River, stretching 2,293 miles, is the longest in Europe. But it’s not even the longest in Russia!
That title belongs to the Lena River, which runs 2,668 miles from the Baikal Mountains to the Arctic Ocean. For comparison, the longest river in the world, the Nile, is 4,132 miles long.
Closer Than You Think
Russia might seem far from North America, but it’s actually much closer than most people realize. The distance between the two countries is just 2.5 miles.
This tiny gap exists between Russian and American islands in the Bering Strait. It’s about the same distance as a short walk across a city neighborhood—closer than many people expect!
Different Smiley Faces
In text messages, people in Russia use smiley faces differently. While most of the world types ‘:)’ to express happiness, Russians skip the colon and just use the bracket.
Their smiles look like ‘)’ or even ‘))))’ depending on how happy they are. One reason for this is that the colon is positioned farther from the bracket on Russian keyboards.
The Beard Tax
Taxes exist for all sorts of things, but did you know Russia once had a tax on beards? In the 1700s, Peter the Great introduced this tax to encourage men to shave.
He believed beards looked outdated and wanted to bring a more European style to Russia. This didn’t sit well with the Orthodox Church, and eventually, the tax was removed.
McDonald’s Unique Menu
McDonald’s changes its menu based on the country, offering local specialties. In Russia, one unique item you can find is McShrimp.
It’s not the most common fast-food choice, and some people aren’t convinced seafood fits the McDonald’s brand. But Russia is the only place where you can try this unusual menu item.
A Highly Polluted Lake
Pollution is a major issue worldwide, and Russia is home to one of the most polluted places on Earth. Lake Karachay, located in the Southern Ural Mountains, is extremely contaminated.
In the 1950s, radioactive waste from a nearby nuclear plant was dumped there. The radiation levels are so high that spending just an hour there can be dangerous to your health.
Unusual Pancake Toppings
Pancakes are enjoyed worldwide, but the toppings vary by country. While some prefer syrup or sugar, Russian pancakes, known as blini, are often served with different toppings.
Instead of the usual sweet choices, Russians enjoy them with sour cream, caviar, or even smoked salmon. It’s quite different from what many are used to, but it’s a popular tradition in Russia.