Question 1

What is the population of Russia?

Accepted Answer

The population of Russia is approximately 144.8M.

Question 2

How do people greet each other in Russia?

Accepted Answer

Russians shake hands firmly, and friends and family may kiss on the cheek. Do: Shake hands firmly when meeting As a man, always offer your hand Use given name plus patronymic for an older or respected person Use surnames in formal greetings Don't: Don't refuse to offer your hand as a man—it's considered impolite Some women prefer not to shake hands

Question 3

What are dining customs like in Russia?

Accepted Answer

Eating with a fork in the left hand and knife in the right is standard, though many use only a fork, and common foods include borsch, pirozhki, and blini with black caviar. Do: Keep your hands above the table Try borsch, pirozhki, and blini with caviar Pork, sausage, chicken, and cheeses are popular Russians prefer tea to coffee Russians drink far more vodka than wine

Question 4

What should I know about visiting a Russian home?

Accepted Answer

Russians have special rituals for greeting guests, and greeting is done inside rather than in the doorway. Do: Come inside before being greeted If offered bread and salt, break off a piece, dip it in salt, and eat it Don't: Don't greet or be greeted while standing in the doorway—it's considered bad luck Important guests may be offered bread and salt on an embroidered towel held by the host's youngest daughter

Question 5

How should I dress in Russia?

Accepted Answer

Russian clothing styles are essentially the same as in Europe, with younger people following the latest trends and older people dressing more conservatively. Men and women wear fur hats to keep warm in the cold winters Traditional costumes are seen during cultural performances

Question 6

Are there gestures to avoid in Russia?

Accepted Answer

Some common gestures are considered impolite in Russia. Don't: Don't point with your index finger Don't talk with your arms folded Don't talk with your hands in your pockets

Question 7

What is family life like in Russia?

Accepted Answer

Both husband and wife usually work, but women are generally expected to handle housekeeping and childcare, and grandmothers (babushkas) play a vital role in holding families together. Young couples often live with parents due to housing shortages Babushkas often live with and help their children by cooking, cleaning, and childcare Most couples have only one child, so children are treasured Few families own a car; most use trams and trolleybuses

Question 8

What do Russians do for recreation?

Accepted Answer

Organized sports are central to daily life, with soccer as the leading sport and ice skating among the most important competitive sports. Outdoor ice skating on frozen ponds is popular for all ages Chess is popular, with open-air games in parks in summer Many city dwellers spend summer weekends at a dacha country retreat The weekly steam bath is a regular custom in city and countryside

Question 9

What is the capital of Russia?

Accepted Answer

Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, serving as the country's political, economic, and cultural hub. Situated on the Moskva River in western Russia, it is home to the Kremlin — the seat of federal government — as well as iconic landmarks such as Red Square and the Bolshoi Theatre. With a history stretching back to the 12th century, Moscow has survived invasion, revolution, and transformation to remain the undisputed center of Russian life and governance.

Question 10

Where is Russia located?

Accepted Answer

Russia spans the northern portions of both Europe and Asia, making it a transcontinental nation and by far the largest country on Earth by land area. It stretches from the Baltic Sea and Eastern Europe in the west across the Ural Mountains — the traditional boundary between Europe and Asia — all the way to the Pacific Ocean in the east. This vast expanse covers eleven time zones and encompasses an extraordinary range of climates and landscapes, from Arctic tundra in the north to steppe grasslands in the south.

Question 11

What countries border Russia?

Accepted Answer

Russia shares land borders with fourteen countries, more than any other nation. Its neighbors include Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, and North Korea. To the north, Russia faces the Arctic Ocean, while its eastern coastline meets the Pacific Ocean. In the south it also borders the Caspian Sea, and the Baltic Sea lies to the northwest. This extraordinary geopolitical reach reflects Russia's position as both a European and an Asian power.

Question 12

What is the currency of Russia?

Accepted Answer

The official currency of Russia is the Russian Ruble, with the ISO currency code RUB (also historically referenced as RUR). The ruble is one of the oldest currencies in Europe, with roots dating back to the 13th century. It is issued and regulated by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. The ruble has undergone several significant redenominations and periods of volatility, most notably following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and subsequent economic reforms.

Question 13

What language is spoken in Russia?

Accepted Answer

Russian is the sole official state language and is spoken as a first language by the vast majority of the population. It belongs to the East Slavic branch of the Indo-European language family and uses the Cyrillic alphabet. Beyond Russian, the country recognizes dozens of minority and regional languages, including Tatar, Chechen, Bashkir, and Chuvash, reflecting Russia's status as a multi-ethnic federation of over 80 federal subjects with distinct linguistic heritages.

Question 14

What is the role of religion in Russia?

Accepted Answer

Russian Orthodox Christianity is the dominant faith and has profoundly shaped Russian culture, art, and national identity for roughly one thousand years. The Russian Orthodox Church exerted deep moral influence on society throughout the imperial era, a role that was forcibly suppressed during the Soviet period when state atheism was official policy. Since 1991, Orthodoxy has experienced a significant revival. Islam is the second most widely practiced religion, particularly in regions such as Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, and the North Caucasus.

Question 15

What is Russia known for?

Accepted Answer

Russia is known for its towering contributions to world literature, music, and visual art — from the novels of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky to the compositions of Tchaikovsky and the ballet tradition of the Bolshoi. St. Basil's Cathedral on Red Square, commissioned by Ivan the Terrible and completed in 1561, is among the most recognizable buildings on Earth. Russia is also famous for Lake Baikal, the world's oldest and deepest freshwater lake, formed roughly 25 million years ago and reaching a depth of over 5,100 feet. Additionally, Russia is a leading global exporter of natural gas, oil, and wheat.

Question 16

What are some distinctive cultural traditions of Russia?

Accepted Answer

Russian cultural traditions blend Slavic folk customs with centuries of Orthodox Christian practice and imperial heritage. Unique folklore persists in everyday life — for example, when a child loses a tooth, a traditional custom involves placing it in a mouse hole in the ground as an offering. Russian Orthodox celebrations such as Easter (Paskha) are observed with elaborate church services and special foods including kulich bread and paskha cheese. The legacy of Soviet-era achievements in space exploration, classical music education, and chess also remains a deep source of national pride.

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