Ten things you didn't know about Russia

[Josh Wilson]

Russia produces some 12% of the world's aluminum, controls 20% of the world
gem stone market, contains a third of the world's unmined diamonds, about a
quarter (maybe more) of the world's unmined gold, and supplies 8% of the
world's uranium needs. 

More info on that sort of thing here:
http://www.sras.org/library_resource_export_russia

You might also mention something about the fact that Russia is #3 in
software outsourcing, was also #3 in IPOs (by money raised) in the first
half of 2007, and Moscow is this year's hottest location for opening new
retail locations in Europe (and St. Pete is number #2). 

In less glittering news, Russia is #2 in the production of email SPAM (the
US is still #1) and #1 in the production of Malware (harmful programs like
viruses). 

Oh, and the wall around Red Square looks pretty red to me and reds or red
hues are the dominant motif there - the real story is the fact that "red"
and "beautiful" used to be the same word in Russian.  

Josh Wilson
Asst. Director
The School of Russian and Asian Studies
Editor-in-Chief
Vestnik, The Journal of Russian and Asian Studies
www.sras.org 
jwilson at sras.org
 

-----Original Message-----
From: SEELANGS: Slavic & East European Languages and Literatures list
[mailto:SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of Andrew Jameson
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 8:48 PM
To: SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu
Subject: [SEELANGS] Ten things you didn't know about Russia

Dorogie SEELANGovtsy,
I've been asked to write a not-too-serious lecture for the Annual General
Meeting of a society concerned with Russian and Soviet studies. I'm calling
it "Ten things you didn't know about Russia". Such things as: St Cyril
didn't create the Cyrillic alphabet etc. etc.
I'm wondering if you have any unusual or bizarre facts about Russia which
you would like to share?
Grateful for any ideas!
Yours with best wishes
Andrew Jameson
Malvern UK 

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