Russia Facts For Kids | History, Geography, People

Background & Physical Setting

The Russian Federation or perhaps Russia is the largest country (by land) in the world. The country that holds the world’s largest immigrants after U.S. have left many marks in the history. Previously it had occupied an area of 8.5 million sq. miles when the country was known as ‘Soviet Union’, but it still exceeds 6.5 million sq. miles which is greater than any other country.

Russia covers one-ninth of the world’s total area, including Antarctica. It touches two big continents (Europe and Asia) on its way while travelling from Baltic Sea to the shores of Pacific Ocean. The country extends 6,000 miles from east to west. Most of the Russian people have European influence as is evident from their standard of living; nevertheless their cultural and historic ties with Asia make it worth noting.

As we move from north to south, we know that the country stretches about 2,000 miles ranging from frozen tundra that borders the Arctic Sea along with the Caucasus Mountains and ends in the Altai Mountain in Asia.

Russia Facts For Kids 

Official Name

The official name of Russia is “Russian Federation”

Russia’s Flag

There are three horizontal stripes with different colors on the Russia flag. The first time it was used in the reign of Peter the Great, some 300 years ago.

Location

Northern Asia and Eastern Europe

Capital

Moscow

Language

Russian

Population

The total population of Russia is 143.5 million as of 2012

National Symbol

The national symbol of Russia is “Double-headed Eagle”

Russia Day (June 12)

National Flower

Chamomile

National Animal

Russian Bear

National Bird

Double-headed Eagle

Russian Rail Network

The Russia Rail Network extends to 87,000 kilometers

Net Worth of the 27 richest Russians

US $90.6 billion

Per capita consumption of Alcohol

Per capital consumption is 15.1 liters per year

Number of languages spoken

There are more than 100 languages (except Russian) spoken in Russia.

Number of Nobel Prize Winners

20

Gross Domestic Product

US $2.015 trillion (2012)

Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy of Russians is 69 years

Population Growth

Russia has a population growth of 0.4% per year

Religion

Russian Orthodox plus Muslim, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Lutheran, Evangelist, Buddhism. None 63%, Christian 22%, Muslim 15%.

Climate

Winters are too long and too cold while hot summers are very short

Currency

Rubble

Siberia—the city of Russia

Siberia—the city of Russia, is heavily forested since it has many birch trees. It is due to this reason that Russia is the largest producer of oxygen in the world. In fact, the taiga of Siberia, pine, fur, a spruce forest, and larch, is the largest unbroken forests in the world, covering around 19% of the entire world’s forests.

Rich in Natural Resources

The Russia Federation is extremely rich in natural resources. These resources include minerals, farmland, thick forests, and streams to harness for electric power.

One-fourth of the World’s Fresh water

Russia contains one-fourth of the world’s fresh water.

How many people live in Cities?

About three-fourths of the Russians live in cities while the remaining lot finds their homes in villages.

Largest City

Moscow—the capital city is the largest by population.

Traveling

Russians mostly travel by train

Favorite wild food in Russia

Mushroom is the most favorite wild food

Major Mountain Ranges

Ural, Caucasus

Lowest Point

Caspian Sea

Highest Point

Mount Elbrus 18,510 feet (5,642 m)

Major Rivers

Volga, Don

Number of Lakes

There are 200,000 lakes in the country and these figures also include two largest lakes in Europe; Lake Baikal and Lake Onega.

Number of Mammals

Russia hosts 266 mammal species in the world

Number of Birds

There are around 700 bird species all throughout Russia. Some of these species are native to the country.

Major Cities

Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod

Head of State

President

Head of Government

Prime Minister

Nationhood

August 24, 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Economy

Agricultural Products: Crops—wheat, rye, barley, cabbage, sugar beets, corn, grapes, cotton, potatoes, goats, poultry, freshwater fish, cattle, sheep, horses, tomatoes, peas, seafood, livestock and other fish, and sunflowers.

Manufactured Products: Iron and steel, petroleum products, chemicals, cement, wood products, machine tools, food processing equipment, petroleum equipment, and mineral fertilizers.

Mining Products: coal, natural gas, petroleum, potash, phosphate rock, bauxite, iron ore, salt, chromite, zinc, nickel, copper, lead, and asbestos.

Timeline—Russia Facts For Kids

In 988, Byzantine Christianity was made Russia’s official religion by Vladimir.

Mongols invade Russia in 1240.

Romanov Dynasty begins in 1613.

In the late 1600s, Peter I the Great begins modernization of Russia.

In the late 1700s, Catherine the Great expands Russian empire.

In 1814, Alexander I defeats Napoléon

Japan invaded Russia in 1904.

Russian army had suffered a lot in the World War I because it was poorly equipped. More than a million men lost their lives in the war.

Romanov Dynasty had come to an end in 1917.

The Soviet Union came into being in 1922.

In 1941 Germany attacked Russia.

World War II ends in 1945.

Joseph Stalin died in 1953.

In 1975, Russia launched its first ever satellite Sputnik I in space.

In 1979, Russia invades Afghanistan.

In 1991, the Soviet Union broke into several parts.

A new constitution is approved in 1993.

 

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