The cleanest people in the world. The cleanest country in the world according to Forbes magazine

home Residents of Russia took one of the first places in the world in terms of cleanliness, second only to Indians and Americans. According to sociologists, the majority (35%) of Russians take a shower or bath every day, and 11% of our compatriots take a shower or bath at least twice a day. Residents of Europe have long abandoned the medieval habit of washing twice in their lives, but still avoid showering too often. On average, Britons and Germans wash twice a week. Environmentalists say that the habit of frequent washing can lead to environmental disaster - stocks clean water the world is depleting at a catastrophic rate. After traveling on the capital's metro during rush hour, it's hard to believe, but here's a fact: Muscovites are the cleanest people in the country. 55% of them wash daily, and 18% wash more than twice a day. Moreover, washing takes at least 20 minutes a day, Novye Izvestia cites a study conducted by the Public Opinion Foundation. The average resident of Russia is becoming more and more clean. According to the FOM, 35% of our country’s residents wash themselves daily, even during a shutdown hot water - go to the bathhouse, heat water in a basin, use a water heater and ask to visit friends who have water heaters. Only 19% of our country’s residents take a shower once a week – this is mostly villager

who do not have running water. The British and Germans wash no more than a couple of times a week. For Americans, taking a shower twice a day is a mandatory ritual. A person who has not washed for two days, or changed his underwear or shirt, is considered marginal in the United States. According to hygienists, Russians’ passion for bathing is explained by a change in our mentality: through TV series, films, books and other objects popular culture actively adopted American image life and all the habits of US residents - including frequent washing. Most clean nation , however, they are not Americans, but Indians. They wash their bodies and hands twice as often as Germans and one and a half times more often than Americans. Hindus go to the bath after sneezing, after contact with a pet, after visiting the toilet, and always before eating. However, in India such cleanliness is fully justified: the country is in intestinal infections

Experts are convinced that we love to shower so often because we don’t know the value of water, and Russians’ passion for bathing leads to an environmental disaster. Meters in Russia, unlike in Europe, are still installed in only a few houses, while the majority of Russians pay for water at an “unlimited tariff”. Meanwhile, in order to take a shower, on average, about 50 liters of water are required, and a bath – 120. Against the backdrop of a global shortage water resources The habits of Russians look like crazy wastefulness - unlike the inhabitants of Europe, we don’t even try to save water. True, experts give an economic explanation for this: We spend about 135 billion rubles a year on collecting, purifying and distributing water. The paradox of our system is that as this figure increases, our GDP increases. In fact, the current economic model in our country is not interested in reducing water consumption.

Do you complain about the poor environment in the country, do you think things can’t get worse? We hasten to dissuade you, the state environment in some countries it is more critical. However, this does not bode well for us, because we all live on the same planet. Someone constantly compiles ratings of cities and states in terms of ecology and cleanliness. The most environmentally friendly countries are always considered to be: Switzerland, Luxembourg, Norway, Latvia, Sweden, Austria, Italy, Costa Rica, and the UK. There are many more countries in the world with poor ecology, but let’s focus on the following ten, which are often included in the lists of the dirtiest countries.

The situation is especially acute because China's population is 1,349,585,838 people. On the one hand, all these lives are endangered by environmental pollution. On the other hand, such a large number of inhabitants causes gigantic volumes of consumption and waste.

And also a developing industry - heavy, mining, energy. The greatest threat is pollution atmospheric air. So, in major cities the incidence of cancer in the lungs exceeds similar indicators in rural areas 3 times.

This country ranks second in population - 1,220,800,359 people, some of the factors causing pollution are similar to China, and air pollution is also catastrophic. Experts estimate that in 40 years, over 3 million people in the world will die per year due to “dirty” air, and most of them will be residents of China and India.

Although South Africa is the most economically developed country in Africa, it cannot boast of intensive development methods that are environmentally friendly.

Mexico's problem is water pollution. Reserves fresh water in the country are already limited, while untreated wastewater - industrial and sewage - ends up in rivers. The problem of deforestation is also relevant.

Tourists from all over the world go to this tropical paradise to have a good time and admire the amazing landscapes. Yes, this is true in the resort areas of Indonesia. However, other areas suffer from various types pollution, and the problem of waste disposal is ineffectively solved.

The modern government of Japan pays enough attention to protecting the environment, Japanese corporations are developing the best environmentally friendly technologies, but the population will continue to pay for the mistakes of the past for a long time, for example, for the rapid growth of industry after World War II, and the overexploitation of natural resources.

7 – Libya

In Libya, the tense environmental situation is caused not so much by industry, but political situation, military actions.

State in South-East Asia– Kuwait has 9% of the world’s oil reserves. Hence the developed economy, the other side is environmental problems.

9 – Uzbekistan

There are many problems related to the environment in Uzbekistan. Their drying is especially clearly demonstrated Aral Sea, which is an environmental disaster.

10 – Iraq

Military operations in this country did not pass without a trace. The population of Iraq is now suffering from the deterioration of the environmental situation, and this is no less than 31,858,481 people.

A book entitled “Pure” was published in London. History of washing without embellishment" ("Clean. Unsanitised History of Washing"). The publication became a notable event in cultural life Britain, arousing wide readership. We talked about the traditions of European bath culture with the author of the book, historian Katherine Eschenburg.

Queen Elizabeth I of England, daughter of Henry VIII, proudly wrote: “Whatever happens to me in the future, I will never give up the habit of washing once a month.” You can make fun of this phrase of the great queen as much as you like, but it clearly highlights the fact that the habit of taking a shower every day has not always been an integral part of European everyday culture. Katherine Eschenburg dedicated her book to the evolution of hygiene in Europe. This is essentially a social history of washing from the Roman baths to the modern bathroom. The author of the book traces how European countries Over the centuries, the content of the word “pure”, which she included in the title of the book, has changed.

What explains that the culture of washing and cleanliness of the body came to Europe so late, compared to other regions of the world?

You see, Christianity is the only world religion, which did not formulate special rules of cleansing and hygiene. Apparently, the fact is that Christ, to some extent, wanted to distance himself from the Jews, who gave great importance ritual ablutions and cleanliness. Christianity was more concerned about spiritual life than about the flesh, and often simply ignored it. In the early days of Christianity, there was even an idea that the dirtier you looked and the more unpleasant you smelled, the more holy a person you were.

So what: the British Queen Elizabeth I, who washed herself once a month, was just following Christian precepts?

You know, Queen Elizabeth was much purer, in the truest sense of the word, than many people who lived in her time, and even than those who lived in the next one, XVII century. At that time, for example, there were people like French king Louis XIV, who lived a long life, was a very healthy person and only took a bath twice in his entire life!

- How did the washing culture develop in Britain?

The British were in many ways pioneers in this area, because Britain was the first country in which industrial revolution. At that time, a serious problem was the huge number of poor people who flooded the streets of the cities. It was the British who first came up with the idea - back in the very early XIX century - to build city public baths, since houses at that time had neither running water nor bathrooms. It was in England that people first thought about building a water supply system and delivering water to homes. The French, it must be said, have always looked up to the British in this respect and have always felt inferior. The British generally adore all sorts of inventions - then the Americans adopted this from them in the 70s of the 19th century.

In England they say that Charles Dickens had a huge influence on the emergence of the popular bathing culture. Is it so?

Yes, Dickens was a huge supporter of progress, and we owe him the creation of a number of conveniences in this area. One of them is the installation of a stationary bath in the house. Before Dickens, people used small, portable bathtubs that were placed in the kitchen, bedroom, and other places. When the young Queen Victoria settled in Buckingham Palace, there was no bathroom. The servants brought her a washing vessel, in which she washed herself until a bathroom was built, the construction of which she paid for from her own funds. Dickens was obsessed with cleanliness; he was an incredibly neat and tidy person and loved to take cold showers, which was not at all safe in the 60s of the 19th century. He installed a shower, along with a bathtub, in his home for the first time.

- How rooted is the culture of body cleanliness and washing in Russia?

Russians love their baths, which have long become a very important part of their urban landscape. In this respect, they are similar to the Germans, who did not close their public baths even during plague epidemics, when bathing in them was very dangerous. For Russians, in my opinion, baths have become an integral part of Russian culture.

- Which people can be called the cleanest?

Speaking about the whole world, I would say that the Japanese are the cleanest people. But since my book is still dedicated to Western countries, I would say that the inhabitants North America They are overly obsessed with the idea of ​​hygiene and cleanliness, and wash themselves too often, which often has a negative impact on their health. I would say that Americans are the cleanest people in the world, but they are excessively clean!

Katherine Eschenburg notes that residents of modern Western countries it seems as if caring for the cleanliness of the body is a natural and timeless phenomenon. In fact, she proves, cleanliness is complex. cultural concept, the idea of ​​which is constantly changing. She also writes that the original connection between dirt and guilt, purity and innocence is rooted in our consciousness and our language. People, she writes, talk about “dirty jokes” or “dirty money laundering.” She recalls that Pontius Pilate “washed his hands” by condemning Christ to death, and the ritual of baptism is associated with washing.

In the twenty-first century, cars have become a part of our lives. They do most of the work and have already replaced humans in many ways. In the world of concrete and steel there is no place for nature anymore, you say...

1st place - Switzerland

Everyone knows this state as the birthplace of the most delicious cheese and chocolate. But few people know that this small country, located in the very heart of Europe, is also the most clean country in the world according to the authoritative American Forbes magazine.

Every year hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world come here to ride in the famous Swiss Alps. After all, most of the country is located in the mountains. From southwest to northeast, across its entire territory, powerful mountain ranges stretch, the height of which is more than 3500 meters.

Oddly enough, in such a unique country as Switzerland there is no capital, but the entire territory - 41.3 thousand square km - is subject to federal council, who values ​​the cleanliness of his cities very much. For example, in the city of Zermatt only electric cars are allowed. Cars that pollute the air are banned.

A lot can be said about Switzerland, but it is worth separately noting the fact that, being in the very center of Europe, the country is not part of the European Union. And in one of its cities the headquarters of the UN is located, although the state itself is not a member of the United Nations.

When we talk about Switzerland, we immediately imagine snow-capped mountains and empty rocky slopes. But when spring comes to Europe, everything comes to life, flowers bloom and grass turns green. 42% of its territory is covered with meadows, plains and national parks, the most famous of which is the Bernese Bear Park, formerly the Bear Pit. The park, opened in 2009, cost the country a tidy sum, but now people can observe the life of bears in conditions as close as possible to natural ones. And bears are full-fledged owners of a territory equal to 6,000 square meters.

2nd place - Sweden

Sweden is a cold kingdom, a state that occupies the eastern and southern parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula, the islands of Gotland and Öland in the Baltic Sea, and occupies 2nd place in the ranking. Area - 450.5 thousand square meters. km. Thanks to the mountainous terrain and the unique combination natural conditions Almost the entire country is one large nature reserve. In the north, most of the territory is covered with glaciers, which belong to the Laponia National Park. A South part the country is the complete opposite of the north. Wide deciduous forests cover the south of the country, in national park In Söderåsen you can stroll through the gorgeous forest. The capital of the state is the old picturesque city of Stockholm, located on the eastern shore of Lake Mälaren.

3rd place - Norway

Norway is another northern kingdom (state Northern Europe), occupying the western and northern parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula, the Spitsbergen archipelago, the Bear and Jan Mayen islands in the North Atlantic. The area of ​​the country is 387 thousand square meters. km. Norway is a mountainous country riddled with a huge number of valleys and fjords.

The fjord is a unique creation of nature, caused by glacier retreat, strong rivers and falling sea levels. Every self-respecting fisherman simply must go fishing in the fjords. Steep cliffs and flowing water fascinate travelers.

The capital of Norway, the city of Oslo, is located on the northern shore of the Oslofjord, which cuts deeply into the land. Since ancient times, this city was the place of residence of Norwegian kings, who were called Normans in Europe, and Varangians in Rus'. There are a lot of museums in the city; Viking culture plays a special role. At The Viking Ship Museum, tourists can see real ships that have come down to us since the 11th century AD.

4th place - Costa Rica

Let's move from the cold north to a real tropical paradise. Costa Rica is perhaps one of the smallest countries South America, it is located at the narrowest point of the isthmus connecting the continents. This country is washed by seas on both sides.

Ecotourism plays a vital role in its economy - this country is more dependent on tourists than others and tries to become as attractive as possible to them. The government plans to reduce hydrocarbon emissions to zero by 2021. However, this country would not be so beautiful if it were not for the forests, which are home to an incredible amount of wildlife. Unfortunately in many countries Latin America Deforestation is occurring at a catastrophic rate, while in Costa Rica forests are protected and considered a national treasure.

The capital of the state, the city of San Jose, is the largest city in the country (890 thousand inhabitants). Costa Rica is the first country that managed to abolish the army after the bloody civil war 1949.

5th place - Colombia

The top five is completed by Colombia. Colombia is a republic that owes its name to the famous navigator Christopher Columbus. First of all, the well-being of a country depends on the fertility of its soils, which is why land resources countries are protected by law. Thanks to this policy, the country maintains a high level of citizen health.

In the north of Colombia there is the Caribbean Lowland with a dry subequatorial climate. The main port cities of the country, attracting travelers, are located here. In this piece of paradise great amount extinct and active volcanoes that bring big income from tourists who want to look at them. Most of The country is covered with impenetrable mangroves and mangrove swamps, which is perhaps why Colombia is included in the list of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world.

6th place - New Zealand

New Zealand is a tourist paradise that places great importance on protecting the environment. This state is located in Oceania on two neighboring islands, which are separated by the Cook Strait (width 32 km). Territory North Island covered with mountain ranges and volcanoes (the highest is Ruapehu - 2797 m). On the island you can find hot geysers, mud springs and lakes with very warm water. The coast is very similar to the coast of Norway, here you can also find fjords and it is in this country that the national park Fiordland.

7th place - Japan

Japan is the land of sakura. Every year, millions of tourists come to Japan to watch the amazingly beautiful cherry blossoms. Without exception, all Japanese corporations provide a break during which workers can go out and simply contemplate the cherry blossoms.

When we talk about Japan, we immediately think of robots, computers and high-tech manufacturing. But as you know, Japan is a country of contrasts. In the city of Tokyo we can see huge skyscrapers next to ancient pagodas, a rock garden next to monorails railways and much more. A country rising sun It is also known for the fact that in order to increase its territory, it builds islands from garbage, which gives it the right to be in the top ten cleanest countries in the world. Let's not forget that Japan remains the only country in the world against which nuclear weapons have been used.

8th place - Croatia

Croatia is a country in Southeast Europe, whose shores are washed by the Adriatic Sea. The coastline is heavily indented; there are a lot of rocky islands on the coast (there are 1185 of them in total). The country consists of 4 historical areas: Lesser Croatia, Dalmatia, Slavonia, Istria. Area - 56,414 sq. km.

The country has a very favorable climate: average annual temperatures-3...+24 degrees with 800 mm of precipitation per year.

Croatia is also notable for its architecture, which is dominated by buildings made of natural stone.

9th place - Albania

Albania is the country of eagles (translated from Albanian), stretched along the coast of the Atlantic and Adriatic seas. The country is mountainous. 70% of its territory is in the mountains, indented by rivers and gorges. In a sense, the country has something to be proud of: in Albania industrial enterprises never worked at full capacity, and this is what helped her maintain almost pristine purity.

10th place - Israel

Israel closes the top ten cleanest countries in the world. State of South-West Asia, located on the eastern coast Mediterranean Sea. A relatively young country can easily compete in terms of living standards with the older countries of Europe. Israel is considered a Jewish country, but in fact the country's population of 7.2 million people consists of people of different religions and nationalities. In this country there is no division of confrontations; everyone is truly equal before the law.