Russia Travel Guide
Russia is a multiethnic state in which the Russians with more than 80 percent have the largest share. In the autonomous republics, territories and counties to live Khanty, Mansi, Evenki, Nenets, Permyak Koryak and Chukchi Dolgans. With only 500 people Enzen form the smallest ethnic group. They settle in the southern Siberian region of Krasnoyarsk.
The extreme western point of Russia lies on the border with Poland, not far from Kaliningrad (Königsberg). The easternmost point on the mainland is located at Cape Deschnjew on the Chukchi Peninsula. Nearly 10 000 km measures the distance between the coasts of the Baltic Sea and the Chukchi Sea in the Far East. The territory of the country stretches across eleven time zones. Dawning of the morning in the west, bends to the east already the day. The northernmost point is located behind the Arctic Circle at the Cape Chelyuskin in Siberia, the southernmost point is the region of Vladivostok on the Sea of Japan.
Russia borders in 14 neighboring countries: Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China and North Korea. The smaller part of Russia lies in Europe and is bordered to the east of the Urals, the larger part lies in Asia and includes Siberia and the Far East this book.
How far Russia and America apart? Barely 85 km - the Bering Strait - to separate the Russian mainland from the coast of Alaska. Even 140 years ago, the Russian government gave to the North American continent. It was not until 1867 Alaska was sold for a tip of 7.3 million U.S. dollars to the U.S.
Russia joins Europe and Asia. Alexander von Humboldt coined the term Eurasia. About 3 million streams and small rivers cross the country, 200 of them are longer than 500 km. Some flow slowly through the lowlands, such as the Ob, others, such as the Angara, the only outlet of Lake Baikal to develop tremendous strength. The Russian of them all is called the Volga, loving ‘mother’, and flows into the Caspian Sea and is a giant among European rivers. With its numerous tributaries, the Volga is also one of the main thoroughfares of Russia.
What could better illustrate the size of the country as a glance at the wide range of natural areas? Under the blazing sun of the Tuvan Subtropics - on the Mongolian border - a fig tree bear fruit. A harsh wind blows at the Cape Chelyuskin even in summer ice at the coast. Since there are regions in which there is nine months long winter, and others that bloom in January, when the violets.
Russia is divided into four climatic zones. In the far north polar and subpolar climate, followed by two zones, which are characterized by cold or temperate continental climate. But in the deep south - the Black Sea coast around - it is subtropical. Present themselves as varied vegetation zones.
There one also finds ginseng, and in the Volga Delta, the lotus blooms. The wooded taiga stretches across the country. Here, spruces, pines, larches grow birches. In temperate regions, align themselves with oak, hornbeam, ash, elm and linden trees. Russia, which means Forest: Half the world’s forest resources are on Russian soil. An alpine mountain flora you meet in the Caucasus and the Urals.
The species diversity of animal life is great: including walrus, seal, polar bear, arctic fox, brown bear, wolf, lynx, sable, mink, moose, deer, wild boar, tiger, leopard, antelope, hyena, wild sheep, ibex, red wolf. In the inland waters and seas have been detected more than 1500 species, of which over 250 are important for fishing.
Of the seasons dictate a particular summer and winter. Spring is short and is powerful, much faster than in Central Europe. While snow and ice melt still breaking violently out the green on the bushes and trees. The thermometer climbs rapidly and soon reached summer values.
The summer is warm, even hot and humid in mid-latitudes often - and in short, little more than three months long. But he allows nature to flourish luxuriantly. It is true that even the beautiful autumn days, but above all he is gray and gloomy. The mood is expressed most emotional, the man is melancholy: It is time Soviet censors. Only when the first snow crunching under your feet when high in the noon, the sun in the sky, returns to normality back into people’s lives.
The vastness of the country, with their huge natural contrasts, the sometimes dark history have shaped the people. Dealing with the nature, size and diversity, with despotism and freedom takes effect on their emotions, their attitude, their character. The term of the Russian soul, the various, often separating properties are summarized.
The Russian said, the writer Anton Chekhov (1860-1904), lived “in happy memories …, but less” in the present. It seems to him to be any day, but the past and future: This is “the most important national characteristic” of the Russians. Even for an expert on the Russian soul as Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-81), who has plumbed the human ups and downs in his novels, the Russian man is a phenomenon: “We give ourselves a mystery, and we are filled with longing, we torture ourselves with the resolution of the puzzle. “The diplomat, writer and translator Fyodor Tyutchev (1803-73) is quoted as saying:” The understanding is Russia does not understand. It can not be measured with a yardstick. There is something quite peculiar. You just have to believe in Russia. “
Every tourist should make Russia his experiences. One thing to be proud after all: the hospitality. A private invitation can be safely assumed. The Russians develop an incredible creativity when it comes to receiving guests with dignity.