50 Insane Facts About Russia You Didn’t Know

The Infographics Show・2 minutes read

High vodka consumption in Russia contributes to high mortality rates among working men, with Moscow having more billionaires per capita than any other city. Despite facing immense suffering during various events, including World War II and the Siege of Leningrad, Russia boasts significant achievements like the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, and the invention of Tetris.

Insights

  • High vodka consumption in Russia contributes to a significant number of premature deaths among working men, with the average Russian consuming about 20 liters per year.
  • Stanislav Petrov's actions in 1983 prevented a nuclear war by correctly identifying a false alarm, showcasing the critical role of individuals in averting global catastrophes.

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Recent questions

  • Why is life expectancy low for Russian men?

    The life expectancy for Russian men is significantly lower than in the UK and US due to high rates of alcohol consumption, particularly vodka. This excessive drinking, averaging about 20 liters per year per person, leads to a high number of deaths among working men in Russia.

  • What was the impact of World War II on the Soviet Union?

    World War II brought immense suffering to the Soviet Union, with around 27 million deaths during the conflict. Harsh penalties for desertion or refusal to fight added to the devastation, and wartime famine claimed the lives of approximately four million people.

  • How did the Siege of Leningrad affect its residents?

    The Siege of Leningrad was a horrific event that resulted in 700,000 to 1.5 million casualties. The people of Leningrad resorted to extreme measures to survive, including consuming wallpaper paste, shoe leather, and even engaging in cannibalism due to the severe food shortages during the siege.

  • Why are there many billionaires in Moscow?

    Moscow has more billionaires per capita than any other city, with a high concentration of millionaires in cities like Beijing, New York, Geneva, San Francisco, and Stockholm. This wealth accumulation is attributed to various factors, including economic opportunities, industries, and investments in the city.

  • Who was the first man in space, and what is the difference between a cosmonaut and an astronaut?

    The first man in space was Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. The difference between a cosmonaut and an astronaut lies in their training locations, with cosmonauts trained in Russia and astronauts trained in the United States.

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Summary

00:00

Russian Life: Tragedy, Resilience, and Contrasts

  • In Russia, one in four men dies before the age of 55, with life expectancy for men at 64 years, significantly lower than the UK and US.
  • Vodka consumption in Russia is alarmingly high, with the average Russian drinking about 20 liters per year, leading to a high percentage of deaths among working men.
  • During World War II, the Soviet Union faced immense suffering, with around 27 million deaths, and harsh penalties for desertion or refusal to fight.
  • Wartime famine in the Soviet Union killed around four million people, with the Siege of Leningrad being one of the most horrific events, resulting in 700,000 to 1.5 million casualties.
  • The people of Leningrad resorted to extreme measures during the siege, including eating wallpaper paste, shoe leather, and even resorting to cannibalism.
  • Moscow has more billionaires per capita than any other city, with other cities like Beijing, New York, Geneva, San Francisco, and Stockholm having higher concentrations of millionaires.
  • In Russia, children are sometimes told not to smile unless they have a genuine reason to, as smiling is considered more meaningful when it's authentic.
  • The distance between Russia and the USA is only 2.4 miles due to two islands, Diomede and Big Diomede, with an American woman swimming between them in 1987.
  • The first man in space was Russian, Yuri Gagarin, and the difference between a cosmonaut and an astronaut lies in their training locations.
  • In Yakutsk, the coldest city in the world, temperatures can drop to -65 Celsius, with residents wearing furs to survive, despite criticism from animal rights activists.

11:12

Fascinating Facts About Russia's Rich History

  • Cannibal Island got its name from a gruesome incident where a woman was tied to a tree and had chunks of flesh cut off, leading to the Soviets keeping the story secret for years.
  • Dmitri Mendeleev, a Russian chemist, published the first periodic table of elements in 1869.
  • Fyodor Pirotsky, a Russian, built the first electric tramway.
  • Konstantin Stanislavski, a Russian man, developed a complex acting system to delve into character emotions deeply.
  • Russia has superstitions, like not leaving empty bottles on tables to avoid future hardships.
  • Russia has the most trees globally, with an estimated 643 billion trees covering 45% of the country's land area.
  • Lake Baikal in Russia holds the largest freshwater volume globally, with 23,615.39 km3 of water.
  • Russia boasts 270 languages and dialects, according to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
  • The Sverdlovsk anthrax leak in 1979 resulted in the accidental release of anthrax, causing fatalities and a cover-up by authorities.
  • The Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia is the longest in the world, spanning 5,753 miles and taking 6-7 days to travel from Moscow to Vladivostok.

22:31

Russian History: Tragedy, Triumph, and Innovation

  • Fyodor, after his father's murder, began experiencing epileptic seizures and faced criticism for his writing, leading to financial struggles.
  • Despite being sentenced to death, Fyodor was instead sent to Siberian prison, where he endured harsh conditions but found a new lease on life.
  • Fyodor spent four years in prison and six years in military exile, losing family members along the way.
  • Tetris, a popular game, was invented by Russian Alexey Pajitnov in 1984, leading to financial success later on.
  • In 1908, a meteor airburst in Siberia caused massive destruction, with an impact 1000 times greater than the Hiroshima bomb.
  • Laika, the first dog in space, was sent by Russia in 1957 but only survived a few hours, despite initial reports.
  • Vladimir Demikhov, known for organ transplantation, also created a two-headed dog for medical experiments.
  • Stanislav Petrov, in 1983, averted a potential nuclear war by correctly identifying a false alarm, saving millions of lives.
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