A：The national symbol of Russia is the brown bear。The national drink is vodka。Local tennis star Anna Kournikova is a global ginup。But what else do you know about Russia？
B：You bet you've found the right person to ask！Russia takes up one eighth of the world's land mass。It lies on two continents，Europe and Asia。It is the world's largest country with about 17 million square kilometres。
A：Back in my home town Harbin there are many Onion Domes constructed by Russians in the last century。
B：Onion Domes are a remarkable feature of Russian architecture。Moscow postcards typically feature the colourful striped domes of St。Basil's Cathedral and the neighboring Red Square。St。Basil's was built between 1555 and 1561.Other Russian churches also have flame-shaped domes。The dome's peak is said to be like the flame of prayer reaching up toward heaven。The cross at the top symbolizes Christ。
A：Rye bread is also a symbol for Russia。
B：Yes。Russians like to eat。Russian cuisine is famous for its soups，such as borscht and meat dishes。Rye bread is the most significant Russian food product。Rye to Russians is what rice is to Chinese。During the famines of 1840 and 1848，it was what almost all peasants had to eat。
A：I see。Apart from these，there is one thing interesting about Russia。Can you guess what's it？
B：You must be talking about Matreshka，a set of nesting dolls。Every doll，except the last and smallest one，consists of two parts。The smaller doll inserts into the bigger one。Sometimes up to 30 dolls can be combined inside the biggest doll。They follow a particular theme，ranging from fairy tale characters to footballers to Russian leader。The first Matreshka dates back to 1890，and is said to have been inspired by dolls from Japan。You know what？Just yesterday，I even saw a set of Matreshka with Vladimir Putin's smiling face！
A：俄罗斯这个国家的象征是棕熊，国酒是伏特加，本土网球明星安娜库尔尼科娃的海报遍及全球。但除此以外，你还对俄罗斯有其他的了解吗？
B：放心，你问对人了！俄罗斯占世界陆地面积的1/8，地跨欧亚两大陆。它的面积约有1700万平方公里，是世界上领土最大的国家。
A：在我的家乡哈尔滨，有很多俄国人上个世纪建造的圆顶建筑。
B：圆顶建筑是俄国建筑的典型特征。典型的莫斯科明信片上的风光图就是圣瓦西里大教堂彩色条纹圆屋顶和相邻的红场。圣瓦西里大教堂建于1555-1561年。俄罗斯其他教堂也有这种火焰状的圆屋顶。据说，屋顶的最高处象征着人们的祈祷像火焰可以一直上达天庭。屋顶上的十字架象征着耶稣。
A：黑面包也是俄国的特征之一。
B：不错，俄罗斯人喜欢吃。俄罗斯菜以它的各种汤（如罗宋汤）和荤菜闻名于世。黑面包是最重要的食品。黑麦在俄罗斯人眼中的意义不亚于中国人眼中的大米。1840-1848年俄罗斯饥荒期间，几乎所有农民都赖此为生。
A：嗯。除了这些，俄罗斯还有一样好玩的东西，你能猜到我说的是什么吗？
B：你说的是套娃吧。俄式套娃是一组玩偶。每组玩偶（除了最后一个和最小的一个）都由两部分组成。较小的玩偶可以套进稍大的玩偶内。有时多达30个玩偶都能被逐一套入最大的玩偶里。套娃取材独特，从童话人物到足球运动员甚至俄罗斯领导人，应有尽有。第一个套娃要追溯到1890年，据说是受日本玩偶的启发而制作的。你猜怎样，就在昨天，我还看到一套有普京脸的套娃呢！
Striped adj。以条纹作标志的；有条纹的
Peak n。尖顶
Insert v。插入、放入、置入或嵌于某物或某两物间
俄罗斯简介
俄罗斯位于东欧和北亚，面积1705.4万平方公里，居世界第一，人口约1.44亿，有176个民族，其中俄罗斯族占人口83%。欧洲部分是国家经济、政治、文化中心，全国四分之三的工业和人口都集中在这，主要信仰东正教。俄罗斯由89个联邦主体组成，其中有21个自治共和国、1个自治州、6个边疆区、10个民族自治区和2个联邦直辖市。
