We all know that Russia's cold, but how cold does it really get and how to survive in Russian cold is a question that many ask. I am sure these questions were popular among Napoleons and Hitler's soldiers who had to spend months in Russian cold.
Russia is the coldest country in the face of our planet. There is a scientific measure for cold per day per person and it turns out that a typical Russian gets about -14 degrees Celsius of cold per day per person. The closest rival is Canada with its -11 degrees.
14 does not sounds too bad, but consider this: summers in Russia are very hot which skews the stats. I grew up in a small town in Siberia and -30C was nothing extraordinary. By the way, in this cold, your voice starts to sound different. It becomes crispy! Water freezes momentarily. If you spill some water from a second floor it will freeze before it touches the ground.
Russia gets colder and colder as you travel eastwards. How do Russians survive this weather? Well, there is a reason why Russians drink hot tea, vodka, wear strange fur hats and shoes with fur. Also, they try not to be outside when it is cold. They build double layer windows in their homes and install warm heaters. They put special oil in their cars and store them in warm garages. They go through many more challenges to survive in harshest winters and to make most of them.
Russians say that Russia can not be invaded. All that Russians need to do in case of invasion is fight until winter and than the cold destroys its enemies. History has proved this logic twice. If you decide to travel to Russia in winter make sure you have warm hosts and friends who will ensure that you are insulated of cold to the best degree possible.
S. Shirokov
1-800-884-1721
