Examining Russian Regional Disparity

As the largest country in the world, it should come as no surprise that Russia is a land of vastly diverse cultures and landscapes. While world travelers may focus on the magnificent cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Sochi, it's equally important to take a closer look at the many regions of the country and their unique contributions to Russian culture. In this article, we aim to do just that by taking a closer look at the dramatic differences between Russia's regions and examining the cause of these distinctions.

Exploring the Regions of Russia

Russia is composed of 85 federal subjects that are constituted into three basic categories: republics, oblasts, and federal cities. Although the exact separation of these regions isn't as clear cut as other countries, most Russian citizens identify with one of the main regions and consider it their region of origin.

The eight federal districts of Russia help geographically divide the country into eight regions more easily identifiable to outsiders. It helps to explore each district in further detail to better understand the remarkable regional disparities between them.
Sergey Pesterev @ Unsplash

Central Federal District

The Central Federal District contains the city of Moscow (which is itself a federal city), and includes some of the nearby cities of Tula and Vladimir. It is the most densely populated region and is not only home to the federal government, but also a significant number of businesses within the financial and industrial sectors. Additionally, Moscow is an important political and cultural center of the country.

Northwest Federal District

The Northwest Federal District is composed of several parts of the old Grand Duchy of Moscow and includes some of the largest cities in the Russian Federation such as Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad Oblast. This region is well known for its naval industry, manufacturing, education, and science and technology.

Southern Federal District

The Southern Federal District is home to many important cities, including Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar and Sochi, which hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics. Although this region is known for its resort towns and balmy climates, agricultural products are also an important economic sector for the region.

Volga Federal District

The Volga Federal District encompasses much of the middle of Russia and includes the cities of Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Ulyanovsk, and Samara. It's a prosperous region and the third most populous region in the country.

Ural Federal District

The Ural Federal District is located to the east of the Volga Federal District and includes the cities of Yekaterinburg, Perm and Arkhangelsk. This federal district is particularly important to the industrial sector, as it contains 80 percent of the major iron, steel and chemical operations within Russia.

Siberian Federal District

The Siberian Federal District is Russia's largest region, accounting for more than 75% of the entire country. Located to the northeast of the Ural Mountains, it stretches from the Urals to the Pacific, and from the Arctic to Lake Baikal. This region is known for its untamed, wild nature and its richness in both natural resources and cultural heritage.

Far Eastern Federal District

The Far Eastern Federal District is located around the Sea of Okhotsk to the northeast of Asian Russia, and includes the cities of Vladivostok, Blagoveshchensk, and Khabarovsk. The region is known for its traditional ethnic cultures, which are based around the many fishing and farming villages all around the country.

Crimean Federal District

The Crimean Federal District was annexed from Ukraine in 2014 and is located in the Black Sea. This area is famous for its ancient monuments, such as the ancient city of Tauric Chersonese, as well as its health and holiday resorts and majestic seaside landscapes.
Natalya Letunova @ Unsplash

Explaining Russian Regional Disparity

Considering the breathtaking range of differences between these main districts and the 85 federal subjects that make up the Russian Federation, it's natural to ask why such striking regional disparities exist.

The main explanation seems to point to the hugely significant difference in economic development between the various regions. Specifically, the wealth gap between Moscow and the rest of the country is arguably the largest of all the disparities. This somewhat reflects the divide between the western world and a developing country; the western capital cities often have greater economic advantages than those located elsewhere.

It's also worth noting that both the Arctic north and the Asian east are almost completely occupied by ethnic minorities speaking languages other than Russian. There are limited opportunities available to them and they often find themselves living in poverty; this also explains the dramatic difference between these regions and some of the more prosperous areas of western Russia.

Interestingly, Russian federal policy prioritizes the development of the country's weakest regions. For example, in 2003, the federal government launched a program to provide financial aid for Russia's poorest regions. This is aimed at helping the disadvantaged regions become more prosperous and contributing to the country's overall economic development.

Final Thoughts

The stark differences between Russia's regions highlight how much the country has to offer the world. Whether it's the beauty of the high north or the cities bursting with culture and activity that make up the heart of the country, the diversity of its lands should be celebrated.

It's also profoundly humbling to note the stark regional disparities that exist in the country. While it's vital to continue celebrating the rich and unique histories of each region in Russia, it's equally important to ensure the disadvantaged areas of the country have access to the same resources and opportunities. Perhaps if this can be achieved, then Russians from all over the country can become united and form a truly harmonious society.