Study in Russia
Spanning across northern Asia and covering a whopping 40 percent of Europe is the country of Russia. The largest country in the world boasts a wide range of climates and terrain, from the tundra in Siberia to the mountains along the southern border, but one thing is uniform throughout – no matter where you go in Russia, you will be surrounded with rich cultural heritage and beauty. A variety of ethnicities, languages, and customs blend together to create a country renowned for its contributions to the world, a place brimming with excitement and offering something for every individual who visits the country.
It doesn’t matter what city you go to in Russia, each one is beautiful in its own way. From Moscow to St. Petersburg, Kalingrad to Tver, no two cities are exactly alike. Russia also prides itself on its stunning natural attractions. The world’s largest forest reserves as well as a quarter of the world’s unfrozen freshwater can be found here. The country contains 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 40 UNESCO Biosphere reserves.
Aside from the awe-inspiring man-made and natural sites the country has to offer, Russia is also known for its excellence in science and technology. Throughout history, Russians have contributed to the world’s advancement in these fields, and the legacy carries on today. On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, but the achievements don’t stop there. The periodic table of elements and great surgical advancements all top the list of contributions Russians have made to the world. See “Famous Russian Scientists” for further information on the ways the country has furthered the fields of science and technology. With such a legacy, those interested in science and technology will find Russia to be a haven for them and their studies.
Moscow
The capital city of Moscow can be known as the familial heart of the country. Moscow is the economic, political, and cultural hub of Russia. The city is the largest metropolitan area in all of Europe, and is among the largest metropolitan areas in the world. Many scientific and educational institutions as well as sports facilities exist in the city. It is home to the busiest metro system (after Tokyo) and a thorough transportation system to transfer its people around this great city.
Tap into the ancient traditions of the country by visiting some of its earliest cathedrals, traditional markets and breath-taking palaces. One of Russia’s largest attractions, the Kremlin, keeps the memory of Russia’s earliest days alive. The self-contained city full of palaces, churches, and armories came about in 1147, right as the bustling city we know today began to grow. In the 14th century Moscow became the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church, which spurred the creation of the spectacular structures still in existence in the Kremlin.
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is Russia’s second largest city, behind Moscow. The city was Russia’s capital for 200 years, up until 1918, and continues to be a centre for European culture. The City of Tsars offers many sites and structures reminiscent of its past, back to 300 years ago when Peter the Great built this city.
Impressive palaces, squares, and canals are located all around the city. Key sites in the city include the oldest landmark in St. Petersburg, the Peter and Paul Fortress, which also contains the highest structure, the Peter and Paul Cathedral. The Winter Palace was the place Russian tsars called home from 1732 to 1917, with its great size and architecture reflecting that. The Palace is situated on the Palace Square, the city’s centre and place of many historical events.
Lake Baikal
To escape the city life and marvel at the vastness of creation, it doesn’t get much better than Lake Baikal. Nestled in between the Baikal Mountains and the Siberia taiga, this lake is known as the “Blue Eye of Siberia.” It is the deepest and oldest lake in the world, the largest lake in Eurasia, and contains almost 20 percent of all the freshwater on the planet.
In the winter, the lake thickly freezes over and creates a perfect site for a tour by sleigh. In the summer, the sparkling blue water and the variety of flora attracts visitors eager for a boat tour or a hike through the forest. Lake Baikal is a Russian gem and just one of the examples of the natural attractions within Russia’s borders.
Famous Russian Scientists:
Russia has traditionally been a leader in science and technology. Take a look at a few of the contributions Russian scientists have made throughout history.
- Dmitrii Mendeleev: (1834-1907). Mendeleev was the primary creator of the first periodic table of elements, a huge step in the understanding of chemistry.
- Nikolai Pirogov: (1810-1881). Pirogov is considered the founder of the modern field of surgery by contributing to advancements in anesthetics, antibiotics, and disinfectants.
- Sofia Kovalevskaya: (1850-1891). Kovalevskaya was an influential female mathematician – the first woman to earn the honour of a full professorship in Europe.
- Ivan Pavlov: (1849-1936). Pavlov was most influential in psychology, creating theories on classical conditioning based on his experiments with dogs, bells, and food.
- Vladimir Petrovich Demikhov: (1916-1998). Demikhov led the way in organ transplants in animals. His list of achievements includes developing the first artificial heart in 1937 and performing the first head transplant, leading to the first artificially made two-headed dog in 1955.
Article by:
Rachel Stark
