An Introduction to Russia and Russian People

contents: what is russia - facts about russia - map of russia - population - people & subcultures in Russia - your comments
 

What is Russia - Introduction

Russia is the country of vast landscapes, vibrant life, beautiful contrasts, and interesting people. Taking an immense space of 9000 kilometers from west to east and 5000 from north to south, being home to people of so many different nationalities and customs, Russia is

often called a "bridge" between Europe and Asia, both geographically and sociologically.
From the ancient times up to now, Russia has been changing and re-shaping itself, its boundaries, its culture. In the ancient times, the Slavs, Finn tribes, Tatars, had made their way through Russia, and this mix of many different nations and their traditions has defined the unique Russian character and culture.
Visiting Russia, especially if you come by a plane, you'll see neverending forests and lakes, scattered among them, gleaming little churches in Moscow and impressive imperors' palaces in St. Petersburg, all the modern attributes of "capitalist" world and old relics of communist times, hip crowds of young people and old babushkas (old women) wearing big fur hats and coats in the snow. To us, it's all about this kind of differences, about constant change in Russia now, which makes it a very dynamic country with lots of energy and potential. There has never been time in the Russian history, when it was still or calm, always there would be something like a revolution, an economy crisis, a war, as if to make life less predictable, and, perhaps, more interesting too.
 

Facts about Russia

Russia is the largest country in the world. Ural mountains divide Eurasian continent - and Russia - to Europe and Asia. One fourth of Russian territory lies in Europe, the other part lies in Asia. Russia’s taking the area of 17.1 million square kilometers - it’s like USA and Europe together and the country is 9000 kilometers from east to west and 5000 from north to south. The capital of Russia is Moscow and the second largest city is St. Petersburg (which is also called the "Northern capital").

 


 

Population

The population is 147.5 million people and three fourths live in the European part and one fourth lives in the Asian part of Russia (Siberia and Far East regions). Most of these people are Russianss (81%) the others are Ukrainians, Tatars, Belorussians, Polish, Germans, Jews, Caucasians. The language spoken is mostly Russian.
 

Russian People and Subcultures

Even though Russia is considered to be a mix of Europe and Asia, this assumption is only based on geography. The reality is that culturally Russia has always been oriented towards the West and the recent influx of western lifestyle has created subcultures similar to those found in any other major country opened to the information from the outside world. Nevertheless, Russians managed to retain a certain degree of intrinsic qualities of the national character that you won't find anywhere else. It is very interesting to see how these peculiarities affect and transform well-defined subculture groups, making them inherently "Russian". The differences are less noticeable among younger people who seem to have almost completely embraced the western lifestyle, but the geration of people born in the second half of the 20th century still has some peculiar mix of the old Soviet attitudes and the modern western lifestyle.
You will meet middle-class families with all the standard "western-like" wishes, attitudes, and lifestyle, and be surprised at the superior role of the man in the family. You might see an old woman who looks absolutely like your old quiet neighbour Miss Smith, until she shoves the way with her elbows shouting to get in train before you do. You will be invited for a dinner by your business partner and be surprised at his taking offence in your unwillingness to drink this last fifth glass of vodka. Your new Russian friends might feel very strange about your vegetarian eating habits and these "worn-out" jeans you have. You might be rejected by fancy Moscow clubs and warmly welcomed in the family of the guy who will be giving you a taxi ride. Your new Russian girlfriend might not like your "metrosexual" attitude, and your tourguide will be truly amazed that you think it was not Russians who won the second world war. When you go trekking, your guide will be truly amazed at your wanting to take frequent, but short pauses. And when you will be giving the passport to the immigration officer in Sheremetyevo airport with a big friendly smile on your face, he might think you're a bit silly.
All these are generalizations and exaggerations, of course, but the point is that your encounter with Russians is going to be very interesting, because of the hidden little differences, which you are yet to discover. Just take it easy and be open-minded: Russians are good-natured people with certain beliefs, which may seem strange at the first sight, but quite understandable if you look a bit closer.

If you would like to learn more about Russians you might be interested in the Russian People section - interviews with the real Russian people from the streets.
 

What do You Think?

Please, post your comments, feedback, and questions at Russia Forums Talk Lounge. Below is a list of comments posted between 2002-2004.

Comment (posted 27/06/02): "I love Russia ! I am an American, born in America and educated in America . But , I love the courage and faith of the people. I love the spiritual strength of the women of Russia ."


Comment (posted 28/10/02): " I'm Russian and I was just laughing when I read your passage about Russian people. It's all not true, and you create stereotypes. That's why Americans have damaged ideas about what Russia is really like."
Answer: I think your laugh was a nervous one. ;-) Come one, we even wrote a discaimer before revealing these facts about Russian people, otherwise, everybody will think we, Russians, are crazy 8-0!!!! *#()(#&*Y*&^*&*& Y^@&*Y UEOIUYI OH KL HA AAAARRRGGGGGHHHH!!!!!


Comment (posted 14/11/02): "i think i'm beginning to like this crazy russian 'culture'!!! i like the absurd, the contradictions, the audacity, the reserve, the respect for women,etc...but the contempary artist who shocks too much for the sake of shocking is not my cup of tea. i would love to visit russia - malaysian chinese studying in england. "

Comment (posted on 18/11/02): "i'm russian so i noe how ruusians are!! come on now, they all LOVE 2 drink vodka. and the babushkas,
they r daa best!!!!they noe everythin and they DESERVE the respect!and ofcourse the guy better pay for da gurl!! we can teach americans athing or 2 about dat. luv ya russians!! from russia wit luv!!!"

Comment (posted on 3/12/02): "It is my understanding that "friend" to a Russian only means someone they have known for years. What is a recent acquaintance to a Russian? A married Russian man said that a majority of Russian men are unfaithful to their wives, is that true. Do Russian males have female friends?"
Answer: Yeah, usually, Russians say "friend" only if it is really a friend. Otherwise, if I know someone only a bit, I would say "znakomy", which means "acquaintance".
I think what you say about Russian men (unfaithfulness) might be true. I wouldn't say "majority", but "many" though.
Yes, like anybody else, Russian males have female friends.

Comment (posted 3/12/02): "I think Russia & Russians are so cool.I wouldn't mind going to Russia one day.ust to see the sights and stuff!I mean that's just my opinion.Well see you later.Bye! Sincerely, S.O.S"

Comment (posted 4/12/02): "Excellent site! Please keep up the wonderful work! I'm a 31 year old male Canadian and plan to move to Russia to continue my university studies. This 'site is very polished and informative. Russia, by the way, is 'the future (USA will soon collapse--as history teaches us!)

Comment (posted on 14/01/03): "I'm a Russian-American, or whatever you'd like to call a person who was born in Russia but has spent the majority of her life in the US. Hmm.. what I'd like to say is that I really wish people would get over their ridiculous stereotypes about Russians, I'm especially annoyed by many New Yorkers who assume that the Central Asians who occupy the city are Russian - they merely speak the language because they lived in the former Soviet Union, though they are not Russian. I guess it doesn't make much of a difference though. What really bugs me is that the moment someone finds out that I was born in Russia, they presume that I'm a Russian spy or something along those lines, and they ask me whether Russians really look like that, I guess people are really confused by what Russians look like. Anyway, I'll stop ranting now, before people assume that all Russians are grumpy like me :) I'm not always like this, really."

Comment (posted on 2/2/03): "I am a 5th grade American boy doing a report on Russia. Our school has an olympics day each February and every class in the Lower school represents some country. Our class is Russia and we are learning about the country, how it has changed and what the people are like. We even have a Russian Luncheon...can't wait. I find it all to be very interesting and I hope to visit the area some day."

Comment (posted on 10/02/03): "Well, i'm Russian. So i'd like to say that most of the information given here is true. Especially about babushkas, the "free nation", racists and vodka. Those russians who say that it's not true are either real patriots (so they don't want their country to be offended by stereotypes) or they just don't know their country in fact.
I'm against only one point that we "try to make money". It's not the thing that you can say ONLY about russians. I think every nation tries to make money on foreigners. This problem you can find all over the world.
But on the whole it's good :)
~Maria from Siberia~"

Comment (posted on 11/02/03): "I can't wait to go to Russia! It seems like a very interesting country...full of life and history. Are there any hot guys there??"
Answer: Ohhhh, yess :-)

Comment (posted on 4/03/03): "I'm in grade nine in Canada, and we're learning all about Russian history, but one of the projects was a panflet guide to Russia *today*. So after studying it, I think that it's definatly not the same. People are different and so is the country. But we should take it all in and accept the sometimes good and bad changes and differences of the biggest country in the world... because it's been through alot."

Comment (postedn on 5/03/03): Hello, First and foremost, I must tell you how wonderful this website is. The information is accurate and presented in a very organized manner. I find your description of Russian babuskas very perceptive not to mention entertaining. Keep up the good work.
P.S. Good section on public transportation etiquette. I kind of miss it here in America.

Comment (posted on 15/03/03): "My boyfriend is Russian and the one thing that stands out to me is the astronomical amount of pork him and his friends eat! Being an American with an Armenian mother I never ate pork growing up. All I have to say is Wow! These folks can sure pack away the ol' piggy."

Comment (received 11/05/03): "i would just like to say that russia is a beautiful country and they are very good people and very proud of there country you have to see it to believe it and the people are very friendly to and they will do any think for you its vest and i would also just like to say that i have a russian girl friend and she is the most beautiful girl in the world and we are planning on getting married soon and hopefully live here in britain,if god is on are side.thank you and if theres any one out there that thinks russia is drab think again and see for your self you wont regret it. "

Comment (received 26/06/03): "I have had the priviledge to visit your country earlier this year,met wonderfull people and think you and your country are great! And I am proud to say - you all have a great sense of humour - just as we have here in South Africa! And great site too!"

Comment (received 30/06/03): "Hi there! Good site, indeed, written with courage and honesty. I can't wait to visit Moscow and St. Petersburg this Christmas and I HOPE I'm going to make contacts with many Russians during this time. I can only say that I know a couple of people from there and they are truly exceptional - well educated, smart, funny and polite. Basically, with lots of common sense. So see you soon Russia, I'm sure I'll have many stories to tell when coming back! (and I'll be happy to share them with you, WayToRussia team)
Keep the good work, Olivia (Romania, presently Germany) "

Comment (received 8/09/03): "Hi!!! I'm from Spain! I've started to take a look on Russia because I love its language, for me the most beautiful language in the world.I think russian people have always fought a lot for what they want, they are strong, they know what they want, and they are fighter since they born, because life is quite hard there, I think, and they have to work for everything they need.
! I want to learn RUssian Language bur here in Spain it's so difficult, that, if somebody from Russia want to help me, write to phoenix_jozue@hotmail.com"

Comment (received 6/10/03): ": I'm Irish and my wife is Russian.I don't wish anything better then her.She is smart,beautiful,hardworking and such a lover.I had different relationships before and any of them did't work for me.She is like my lottery.After she intoduced me to her russian girlfriends.I love to spend time with them.By the way,I met her through internet service"

Comment (received 15/12/03): "I love Russia, very much. I'm 14 years old and from America, and I've always found Russia to be fascinating... so I decided to write a story about a girl from there, but I didn't want to do so without having any facts about life in Russia. This site has helped me very much... I'm not walking in the dark anymore! Thanks! :-D "

Comment (received 29/12/03): "I think Russians are the kindest people I ever met. I spent a great deal of time in Moscow in the late 80's. These were not easy times yet Russians, again and again, gave of themselves to me. I was forever touched by these experiences - and grateful to have come to know the Russian people.
Dr. Lewis G. Pringle"

Comment (received 24/01/03): "To 'do russian males have female friends?':
i'm a russian female, and i currently i started strongly to believe that such friendship never is mere friendship, but we (male+female) always have some false notions about "brothers and sisters". what i meen to say is that if i, for instance,( or anybody else), have a male friend, i'll say that i like him as i'd like my brother, he'll say the same about me(as a "sister" sure:))- blah blah, but this is just to hide some other feelings from other people or even from ourselves.
I guess that practically in any situation "male+female=friends", there is/was/will be something MORE between them."