Sunrise to Sunset

Today starts the first edition of Sunrise to Sunset. What I’ve wanted to do is show where the Sun is rising in Russia and setting in the United States. I couldn’t think of anything more spectacular than to start with these two. Sunrise over Moscow and sunset over Lake Superior.  Both are very different but represent the magnificence and splendor on each side of the planet. We share one world and one sun just for this purpose alone we should try to understand the other better. In this particular grouping I didn’t try to coördinate the real timing, but in the future this will be my aim.  I will share tidbits about Russia and the U.S. at the same time.  Enjoy.

Sunrise over Moscow

Fast Facts

Country: Russia

Language(s) Spoken: Russian

Demonym: Muscovite

Districts: 123

Area: 1,091 sq. km

Population: 11,503,501 (2010 census)

Fun Facts:

1. The biggest city of Europe, Moscow was first mentioned in 1147 by Yuri Dolgorukiy, the founder of Moscow. ‘Come to me, brother, to Moscow’, were the words that he used to call upon the prince of Novgorod-Severski to Moscow.

2. The federal city day is celebrated on first Saturday and Sunday of September. In 2011, the city celebrated its 864th birthday.

3. Grand Duchy of Moscow, Tsardom of Russia, and now the Soviet Union have been the progressive states of Moscow.

4. The Kremlin, an ancient fortress in Moscow, was built around 1331 and is today used as the residence of the Russian president. It is also an executive branch of the government of Russia.

6. Mongols burned the city and killed its habitants during the sack of 1237-1238, but the city recovered and rose as the capital of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality in 1327.

7. During the 17th century, Moscow experienced the popular uprisings, such as, the liberation of Moscow from the Polish-Lithuanian invaders (1612), the Salt Riot (1648), the Copper Riot (1662), and the Moscow Uprising of 1682, which relieved Moscow from political, social, and economic troubles.

8. In 1712, capital of Russia was shifted from Moscow to Saint Petersburg, which was founded in the year 1703. Later, Moscow was reinstated as the capital of Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and then after the Russian Revolution of 1917, it was declared as the capital of Soviet Russia.

9. Although Moscow has experienced hostility in the past, today it has emerged as the preferred destination for Western style retailing, services, architecture, and lifestyles.

10. In 2010, Moscow recorded the lowest unemployment rate in Russia that stands at 1% compared to the national figure of 7%.

For more fun facts visit: http://www.interestingfunfacts.com/amazing-facts-about-moscow.html

Sunset over Lake Superior

Fast facts

Country: USA

Language: English

Districts: 77

Area: 138.8 sq mi (359 km2)

Population: 713,777

Fun Facts:

1. Detroit is known as the car capital of the world.

2. Alpena is the home of the world’s largest cement plant.

3. Rogers City boasts the world’s largest limestone quarry.

4. Elsie is the home of the world’s largest registered Holstein dairy herd.

5. Michigan is first in the United States production of peat and magnesium compounds and second in gypsum and iron ore.

6. Colon is home to the world’s largest manufacture of magic supplies.

7. The state Capitol with its majestic dome was built in Lansing in l879.

8. Although Michigan is often called the “Wolverine State” there are no longer any wolverines in Michigan.

9. Michigan ranks first in state boat registrations.

10. The Packard Motor Car Company in Detroit manufactured the first air-conditioned car in 1939.

For more fun facts visit: http://www.50states.com/facts/michigan.htm#.UtV0ALRvVsw