Square Miles of Russia

The square miles of Russia total 6.6 million. It is the biggest country in the world. It has a population of approximately 149 million. There are several major cities, including St. Petersburg and Moscow, its capital. 3/4 of the population resides in towns or cities.

Geographical Features

Due to its size, the geographical features are quite diverse. The northern portion is filled with thousands of lakes, forests, tundra and forests. Northern Russia goes all the way to Arctic Circle. Large portions of Russia are covered with mountains.

The Ural Mountains take up more than 2,500 miles of eastern Russia. The Caucasus Mountains meanwhile, are found along the country’s southern area. It extends from the Black Sea all the way to the Caspian Sea.

Based on the square miles of Russia, the North European Plain can be found along the western border up to the Ural Mountains. The plain is noted for its grasslands and fertile soil.

Economy and Industries

The country possesses vast amounts of natural resources. They include timber, minerals, natural gas and oil. Many of the major industries are found in Moscow. Among the major industries are heavy manufacturing, steel and cars.

The southwest portion of the land is a source of crops. Some of the products produced there are sunflowers, potatoes, oats, barley and wheat. Fishing is another major industry. The country has several fishing fleets.

Historical Background

Russia underwent numerous political changes until the 1500s when the Tsars assumed power. The Tsars would be the rulers of Russia until 1917. That year, the Communists toppled the Tsars and established the Soviet Union.

Russia would become the biggest republic in the USSR. In World War II, the country overcame German occupation and managed to drive back the Nazis. The 1950s and 60s saw it engage the US in a Cold War. In 1991, political turmoil led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Communism was abandoned in favor of capitalism.

Population and Climate

Most of the population lives in St. Petersburg, Moscow and the other major cities. However, there are still some who live in rural areas. The southeast portion of the country is also densely populated. The population is made up of diverse ethnic groups.

The square miles of Russia provide for varied weather conditions. At the northern coastline near the Arctic Ocean, it gets very cold during the winter. On the south side however, it can get quite hot.