Russia beyond Moscow is still a land of vast mystery to most. We think we know about the former Soviet Republic but in essence, our collective knowledge is rather thin. The Bolshoi, vodka, Dostoevsky, Stalin, caviar and blinis, oil oligarchs … and what else? Mail-order brides? Really now. Russia is the biggest country in the world – by far by the way, with Canada not even close – and we struggle to recount more than a few hazy details about her.

In terms of Russian cities, we’re hopelessly lost. There’s Moscow of course. A major world capital with over 10 million people and the home of the Kremlin, it gets a fair share of press. St. Petersburg is in the loop too, with almost 5 million people and exquisite architecture and museums. Both receive the lion’s share of Russia’s tourists. The dropoff after the big two is significant however. So with that mind, we thought it was high time to bring everyone up to speed on some other Russian towns of note. A magnificent country of incomprehensible size and beauty, Russia outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg deserves some of your time. A lot of your time actually. At over 17 million square kilometres, you can’t exactly hit all the landmarks in a day or two.

First let’s set the table with some cool facts about Russia. With only 9 people per square kilometre, it ranks as one of the least densely populated countries in the world. Almost 10 percent of Russia is swampland and about half of the country is forested. The Volga river is Europe’s longest. Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus range is Europe’s biggest. Lake Baikal in Siberia is the world’s deepest lake and contains an astounding 20% of our planet’s fresh water – more than all the Great Lakes combined. Russia covers an astonishing 11 time zones and as a result, no matter where you are in the country, the clocks in all bus and train stations, as well as airports, are set to Moscow time.

Now that we’re all a little more up to speed on Russia, here are some cities of interest, other than Moscow and St. Petersburg, to consider visiting.

Omsk

A full 2,700 kilometres from Moscow, Omsk is the second-largest city in Russia east of the Ural mountains. In southwest Siberia, the city was the defacto capital of Russia while the Civil War tore across Moscow in 1918. With just over 1 million people, Omsk has some attractions of note for tourists.

A chief focal point is the former market of Gostiny Dvor. Between two churches in an area that also features the city stock exchange and theatre, both of which date back to the late 19th century, the marketplace is the ideal vantage point from which to explore Omsk. A tour should also include the side streets around the city centre which still contain the opulent mansions of financial barons from the days of the Czars.

Novosibirsk

A notable city in the vicinity of Omsk is Novosibirsk. Believe it or not, this quiet town is the third-most-populous in Russia and the nerve center of Siberia. Home to almost 1.5 million inhabitants, Novosibirsk is a major player in the Russian economy. For tourists, the subway system is the ideal way to get around.

The Novosibirsk zoo is one of the very best in Europe, with over 4,000 animal species and an enviable collection of jungle cats. The opera and ballet are perhaps the most popular attractions. Both can be seen in the fabulous and palatial State Theatre. For architecture buffs, the cathedrals of Novosibirsk are marvels and definitely warrant a tour.

Krasnoyarsk

Our mini-circuit of Siberia continues with the city of Krasnoyarsk. At just under 1 million people, it represents the third-largest in the district. On the banks of the Yenisei River, Krasnoyarsk is a crucial hub on the Trans-Siberian railway. The city boasts a fair number of highlights, principally in the realm of Russian Orthodox architecture.

The Intercession Cathedral for one, was built in the late 18th-century and after a thorough restoration a few decades ago, extends proudly into the Krasnoyarsk skyline. Several other Orthodox places of worship dot the streets and feature pristine structural elements of the era. Another main attraction is the UNESCO World Heritage bridge that dates back to the late 19th-century and carries the Trans-Siberian Railway over the Yenisei.

Ufa

The capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Ufa is another member of Russia’s obscure “1 million plus city population” club. At just over that, Ufa rests snugly between the Belaya and Ufa rivers and as a result, is a major industrial player in the western portion of the Urals. The city has a rich heritage and was founded back in the early 16th century. The history of the Bashkir people, who make up the bulk of the populace, extends even further back.

Ufa is known throughout Russia as a cultural hub of sorts. With a dozen professional theatres that feature performances in a myriad of languages, the stage is always set in this city for a wonderful cultural experience. From ballet to opera, folk dance to orchestral music, Ufa has a lot on tap. No wonder that none other than Rudolf Nureyev called the city home for a time.

Our Top 10 look at Russia rolls on with some certifiable hidden gems …