Weird Things About Russia That Baffle Foreigners

By Editorial Staff in Life Style On 6th January 2017

Most people have limited knowledge about what actually goes on in Russia. Sure, you might be privvy to some Russian politics, and you might be able to name the country's two major cities on each side, but it's a massive place, and there's a whole lot going on in between.

Below are 34 strange and fascinating facts about this mysterious and powerful country, and some of them are definitely head-scratchers. Read below to find out what makes the former Soviet Union so unique - #24 is the weirdest law we've ever heard.

#1

Each year on September 12th, Russian workers are given a day off to have sex. The idea is that they will procreate, and if they have children nine months later, they are sometimes given cash prizes.

#2

One strange Russian event is the Bubble Baba challenge, wherein people ride sex dolls dow then Vuoska River rapids.

#3

In Russia it's now Illegal to tell children about gay people

#4

In Russia, many rich people use "ambulance taxis" to avoid day-to-day traffic jams, which is pretty ingenious.

#5

According to a survey taken in 2011, 30% of Russians believe the Earth is the center of the solar system.

#6

According to recent population statistics, there are 9 million more Russian women than men.

#7

Moscow has more billionaires per capita than anywhere else in the world.

#8

Russia produced an average of 10.73 million barrels of oil last year. In fact, Russia's oil pipelines could circle the world six times.

#9

Russia is opening a "Military Disneyland" that will allow guests to shoot military grade weapons and try out various military simulators.

#10

Moscow's metro transports 7-9 million people a day. That's more than London and New York combined.

#11

The world's largest McDonalds is located in Russia. It seats 700 people.

#12

Russians drink 4.8 gallons of alcohol per year. That's more than double than what doctors deem dangerous.

#13

One odd Russian superstition is to avoid whistling indoor. Russians believe that "If you whistle in the house, then all the money will fly out of the window."

#14

Russia sold Alaska to the United States. for $7.2 million back in 1867.

#15

Lake Karachay is the most polluted spot on Earth. The radiation level could kill a human being within an hour.

#16

Some Russian schoolteachers are actually paid in vodka.

#17

Siberia covers 77% of Russia, yet only has a population density of less than eight people per square mile.

#18

St. Petersburg has three times as many bridges as Venice.

#19

In exchange for Pepsi products, Russia gave Pepsi 17 submarines, a cruiser, a frigate, and a destroyer. When this occurred in 1989, it was 7th largest submarine fleet in the world.

#20

Apple is now worth more than the entire Russian stock market.

#21

Russia's Lake Baikal holds one-fifth of the world's fresh water. That's the same as the Great Lakes, combined.

#22

A Russian woman in the 1700's gave birth to 16 pairs of twins, 7 sets of triplets and 4 sets of quadruplets. She did this in 40 years, and all with the same husband.