Rus
sia is a fascinating country that has captured the world's attention for centuries. From its rich history to its politics and culture, there are endless things to learn about Russia. In this article, we will explore some of the lesser-known facts and trivia about this enigmatic nation in our "Russia Cold Facts" feature. 1. Soviet Union's "Dead Hand" system: The Soviet Union created a secret "Dead Hand" system in the 1980s, which was designed to launch a nuclear strike against the United States if Soviet leaders were killed in a surprise attack. It was an automated system that would identify a nuclear strike and launch a retaliatory response. 2. World's largest McDonald's: Russia is home to the world's largest McDonald's restaurant. Located in Moscow, this fast-food outlet covers 14,000 square feet and can accommodate up to 1,500 customers at a time. 3. The Red Square: This iconic Moscow square, synonymous with Russian power, is not officially named after the color of the Communist Party. The word "red" in Russian also means "beautiful." The original name of the square was the Beautiful Square, which referred to the elaborate marketplace that existed there. 4. Lake Baikal: Lake Baikal, located in Siberia, is the world's largest and deepest freshwater lake. It contains 20% of the world's unfrozen freshwater and has been estimated to contain 21% of the world's surface freshwater. 5. The Trans-Siberian Railway: The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway in the world. It stretches over 9,250 km from Moscow to Vladivostok on the Pacific coast of Russia. The journey takes around seven days to complete. 6. Russian Ballet: Russia is the birthplace of modern ballet. The first ballet company was founded by Empress Anna in 1738, and ballet has been an integral part of Russian culture ever since. 7. Largest Landmass: With an area of over 17 million square kilometers, Russia is the largest country in the world, covering one-eighth of the world's landmass. 8. Russian Winter: The harsh Russian winter has been a defining characteristic of the country, with temperatures often dropping below -40 degrees Celsius. However, it is not all doom and gloom as the country has also developed winter sports such as skiing and ice-skating. 9. The Faberge Eggs: The legendary jeweler Faberge, who was a favorite of the Russian royal family, created 50 eggs between 1885 and 1917. Each egg was a masterpiece of art and craftsmanship, and twelve of them are still missing, with only 38 known to exist. 10 Vodka is not the national drink: Contrary to popular belief, vodka is not the national drink of Russia. It is a relatively recent introduction and has only been around for a few centuries. The traditional Russian drink is, in fact, tea. In conclusion, Russia is a country that continues to surprise and fascinate people with its unique history and culture. These "Russia Cold Facts" are just a few examples of the many interesting and curious things waiting to be discovered in this vast and enigmatic nation. Whether you are planning a trip to Russia or just interested in learning more about the country, there is always something new to discover.
