Points of Russia: Exploring the Land of the Tsars

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 countr...