The Geography of Russia
Russia is the world’s largest country, stretching across two continents. From Europe to Asia, Russia contains a variety of landforms, bodies of water, climates, and natural resources.
These geographical features have influenced the way people live and interact with their environment. From the early Slavic tribes through the early Russian Empire, Soviet Union, and modern Russian Federation, the impact of geography on the country is unmistakable.
Russia spans over 6.6 million square miles. The next biggest country as far as total land area is Canada at 3.8 million square miles. Its surface area is just slightly less than the dwarf planet Pluto. The Ural Mountains run north to south in the country’s center and act as the traditional boundary between Europe and Asia.
The European part of Russia is dominated by vast plains, including the famous Russian Plain that provides fertile land for agriculture. The Asian half of the country consists of rugged terrain, vast forests, and the Siberian taiga.
The Ural Mountains served as a barrier to eastward expansion and influenced trade routes and cultural exchanges between the two continents.
Siberia, with its vast forests, tundra, and mineral-rich lands, has long been an integral part of Russia's geography. Its harsh climate and remote location made it a challenging region to colonize, yet its natural resources, including timber, fur, and minerals, have been a major economic asset for Russia.
In southern Siberia lies the world's deepest and oldest lake: Lake Baikal. With a staggering depth of 5,387 feet, Baikal is the world's largest freshwater lake by volume and holds more more freshwater than all of the Great Lakes combined.
The Volga River is the longest in Europe and has been a lifeline for Russian civilization for centuries. It facilitated trade, transportation, and communication, playing a crucial role in the development of cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg along its banks.
Impact on Culture and History
Russia's geographical features influenced settlement patterns, with populations concentrated in fertile plains and along major rivers. This led to the development of urban centers such as Moscow and St. Petersburg, which became cultural and political hubs of the Russian Empire.
The vastness of Russia's territory, coupled with its relatively sparse population, encouraged a policy of expansion and conquest. From Ivan the Terrible to Peter the Great and beyond, Russian rulers sought to expand their empire eastward, driven by a desire for territorial expansion and access to resources.
Within its borders, Russia is home to many ethnic groups such as Russians, Tatars, Chechens, Tuvans, and others. Each has preserved their customs, traditions, and language while adapting to their often extreme environment. This cultural richness is deeply rooted in Russia's geographical diversity.