russia, n.Trivia

Russian criminals used to get tattoos bearing the images of Lenin and Stalin because it was a commonly held belief that Communist firing squads were not permitted to shoot at an image of their leaders.

Alaska was bought from Russia for about 2 cents an acre.

Russia's economy is smaller than each of three US States (Texas, New York & California).

Russia has a larger surface area than Pluto.

Russia has more surface area than Pluto

Russia is divided by the US by a pair of islands only 2.4 miles away from each other; they also have a 20-hour time zone difference.

Japan is technically still at war with Russia Because of a dispute over the Kuril Islands

Siberia makes up 77% of Russia

In Russia Until 2011, anything containing less than 10% alcohol was considered to be a foodstuff and not alcoholic.

Russian astronauts were, until 2007, issued a sawed off shotgun and machete to fight of Siberian bears upon landing back on Earth. Now, it's a pistol

Ten percent of the Russian government's income comes from the sale of vodka.

In Russia, about 25% of men die before they hit the age of 55, mostly due to alcohol.

It's a faux pas in Russia to give your date a dozen roses. You give an odd number of flowers for a happy occasion and an even number for condolences.

Russia is almost two times the U.S.

Russia used 40,000 anti-tank dogs, loaded with explosives, in World War Two. Ironically, many of the dogs got scared and ran back to their owners to explode.

Russian cosmonauts used to pack a shotgun in case they landed in Siberia and had to fend off bears.

Russia and the United States are only 2 miles apart, and during the winter, you can walk between the two nations.