Interesting facts about Russia (Metro, Tetris, Ivan the Terrible and more)

1.  In Russia is located the highest active volcano. It is named Klutchevskaya Sopka and it is the highest mountain on the Kamchatka Peninsula.  It is 4 km 750 meters in height. First eruption took place in 17 century. Local residents have myths that our world was created in this area.

2. The deepest Metro in the world is in Saint Petersburg. Subway goes down up to 85 meters and more. The Saint Petersburg Metro was built in 1955. Today over 2 million people use Saint Petersburg Metro every day.

3. The shortest boarder distance between Russia and US is only a few kilometers in the Bering Strait. 3,8 km only. The border is known as the «Ice Curtain». In the USSR period this boarder was closed but today after the end of the Soviet Period you can travel between the two countries here without any problems but anyway you still need visa.

4. One of the most popular computer games in the world - blocks puzzle video game Tetris was invented and generated by Russian computer programmer Alexey Pazhitnov in 1984.

5. Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible (sixteenth century) was not terrible at all. He didn’t kill his son as it is painted on the famous painting of Russian artist Ilya Repyn located at the Tratyakov Art Gallery in Moscow. According to chronicles he executed only a few thousand people per year while in many other countries tsars and kings executed dozens times more.

To get more interesting facts about Russia, carefully selected by Rus-a team click here

Famous Russians - Artists - Ivan Shishkin

Ivan Shishkin (1832-1898) is outstanding Russian landscape painter. He was born in Tatarstan Republic.

He studied at Kazan’ Gymnasium, Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture  and the Highest Art School in St. Petersburg.

In his life he also lived and worked in Germany, Switzerland. This painter is for forest landscapes and wonderful Russian views.

One of his most popular works is named Morning in the pine forest, painted in 1889. It is a truly symbol of Russia which also was reproduced on famous Russian chocolate by the Krasny Octyabr’ chocolate factory.

Most of his works are presented at the Tretyakov Art Gallery in Moscow.

To get more information about the gallery and to find how you can experience his works there visit official website of the Gallery at www.tretyakovgallery.ru which is also available in English.

Russian famous personalities selection by Rus-a Information Guide – Extensive Information Guide to Moscow and Russia – www.rus-a.com

How Russians Drink tea or Tea Culture in Russia

How Russians Drink tea or Tea Culture in Russia

From old times tea is one of the most popular drinks in Russia and in fact it is much more popular than coffee or vodka for example. Today in big bustle cities we don’t have time for tea ceremonies and we Russians more and more drink tea rather fast during a day at work, homes or just take away from coffees.

Tea is one of national beverages because climate in Russia is not too hot.

But along before and even now when we have time we do organize tea ceremonies for ourselves and our friends. Because we sincerely believe that drinking tea is an integral part of our national life style.

In our traditions we prefer to finish every meal with a hot drink. In the majority of restaurant after dishes waiters propose tea or coffee.

Tea became popular in Russia at Peter the Great Epoch in 18^th century. One of the most powerful tea importers were Chinese companies.

Classical Russian tea ceremony consists of several parts. First part – we prepare zavarka – we put some grams of  tea for 3-4 persons in one special teakettle and put boiled or very hot water inside (depends on sort of tea). We need to make our tea concentrate. After 15 minutes we put some zavarka liquid inside tea cup ½ of the cup volume and add hot water to taste. Sugar and lemon are also separate to taste. According to Russian traditions one cup of tea is served with two cubes of sugar but you always may ask for more.

Interesting facts about tea traditions in Russia.

Tea is a dependent drink. Russians take tea with chocolate, rusk biscuits, croissants, different jams called in Russian varenie and other tasty sugar snacks.

Many years ago Russians use Samovars to prepare tea. Samovar is a special container from metal to heat and boil water.

If some of you Russian friends invite you at home and offer a cup of tea it is better to accept it because it is some kind of respect and a good tradition. If somebody invites you directly to drink tea at his home in Russia don’t forget to bring some candies or chocolate with you.

Most popular sort of tea in Soviet Period when in the country was deficit of products was Indian tea from Ceylon with a picture of an Elephant.

To learn more about tea culture in Russia and discove some other popular traditions in our country visit special section of our Information Guide to Moscow and Russia Rus-a, you can go to www.rus-a.com or directly click here.

Russia in #traditions with Rus-a Info Guide. Discover #Russia at www.rus-a.com  #russianguide #guidetorussia #russiantraditions #ru
By Rus-a - Extensive Information Guide to Moscow and Russia for all tourists, foreigners and expats living and working in Russia. Discover traditions, lifestyle, useful tips, Yellow Pages and more.