Invasion has always been a concern for Russia because of the size of their Borders. Napoleon’s invasion of Russia was a disaster for France and for Russia. Russia’s participation in World War I ended their monarchy. World War II prompted them to take over Eastern Europe with “Satellite Countries” and invest heavily in Military Equipment.
Russia is the largest country in the world by landmass, covering approximately 6,601,668 square miles. Russia's population in 2025 is estimated to be around 146.1 million people.
Siberia covers approximately 5,200,000 square miles. The population of Siberia is approximately 36.8 million. This figure is for the entire Siberian region, which includes various federal districts. The region is sparsely populated, with most of the population concentrated in urban areas along the Trans-Siberian Railway and major rivers.
Russia’s arable land is 469,640 sq miles. About 60-65% of Russia's territory is covered by permafrost, which equates to 4.250,000 million square miles. Permafrost is ground (soil, sediment, or rock) that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years. 35%-40% or 2,351,668 sq miles is considered not inhabitable.
The United States purchased Alaska from Russia on March 30, 1867 for $7.2 million.
Prior to their ability to monitor air and sea traffic, the Russian Border was indefensible.
Siberia, a vast and diverse region in Russia, offers a wide range of activities, encompassing both traditional livelihoods and modern industries, as well as a growing tourism sector. Here are some key activities that occur in Siberia:
Traditional
Livelihoods & Cultural Practices:
· Reindeer Herding and
Fishing: Many indigenous Siberian peoples, such as the Koryak and Nenets,
continue their traditional nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyles, centered around
reindeer herding and fishing.
· Hunting and
Gathering: Hunting furbearing animals, gathering mushrooms, berries, and
cedar cones are also significant activities in certain regions, especially
those with extensive forests (taiga).
· Farming and Raising
Livestock: Some groups engage in farming in the more southerly regions,
growing crops like oats, wheat, barley, rye, sugar beets, and flax. Cattle,
reindeer, and horses are also raised.
· Traditional Arts and
Crafts: Traditional Siberian arts like ivory and wood carving, as well as
jewelry making, continue to be practiced.
· Cultural Festivals: The Altai Republic hosts the interregional folk holiday El-Oyin, featuring traditional competitions like wrestling, archery, and horse races.
Industry
and Economy:
· Mining: Siberia is
extremely rich in mineral resources, including coal, petroleum, natural gas,
diamonds, gold, copper, iron ore, and others. Mining has historically been, and
remains, a major industry.
· Resource Extraction and
Processing: The region's economy heavily relies on its natural resources.
Besides mining, large petrochemical complexes have been built, and oil and gas
pipelines crisscross the region.
· Manufacturing: Siberia
has a developed manufacturing sector, producing metal and metal products,
textiles, construction materials, and agricultural equipment. Heavy industry
was even moved to Siberia during WWII.
· Hydroelectric
Power: Large hydroelectric power plants have been constructed along major
rivers to harness the region's water resources.
· Lumber and
Fishing: Forestry and fishing are also important industries.
· Agriculture: Southern Siberia supports agriculture, with crops like wheat, rye, oats, and sunflowers.
Tourism
and Recreation:
· Visiting UNESCO World
Heritage Sites: Siberia is home to nine UNESCO World Heritage sites,
including Lake
Baikal,
the volcanoes of Kamchatka, and the Altai Mountains, which attract tourists.
· Outdoor
Activities: Activities like mountain climbing and skiing are popular among
tourists.
· Exploring Natural
Wonders: Visitors can admire the stunning natural beauty of areas like the
Stolby Reserve with its gigantic stone pillars, the Altai Republic with its
diverse landscapes, and the pure waters of Teletskoye Lake.
· Cultural
Tourism: Exploring historic cities like Irkutsk near Lake Baikal, visiting
ancient villages like Bolsherechye, and experiencing the unique culture of the
Siberian peoples are also popular with tourists.
· Zoo and Museums: Cities like Novosibirsk offer attractions such as museums, art galleries, and a zoo.
Other
Aspects:
· Academic and Research
Activities: Novosibirsk is a significant academic center in Siberia.
· Historical
Exploration: Siberia has a rich history, with evidence of human settlement
going back tens of thousands of years. Historical sites, architectural marvels,
and museums provide insights into the region's past.
· Health and Wellness: The Omsk region features resorts utilizing healing mineral waters and curative mud from lakes.
In
summary, Siberia is a region where traditional ways of life coexist with modern
industries and a burgeoning tourism sector, offering a wide array of activities
from hunting and fishing to mining and manufacturing, and from exploring
natural beauty to visiting cultural landmarks.
https://www.google.com/search?q=what+acrivities+occur+in+siberia
Based on the information available, here's a breakdown of Siberia's contribution to Russia's economy and how it relates to the national GDP:
Siberia as Russia's "Economic Heartland": Siberia is considered Russia's economic heartland due to its rich base of natural resources, including oil, natural gas, coal, precious metals, and timber. The exploitation of these resources significantly supports the rest of the country.
· Dominant Role in
Resource Production: Siberia holds a vast proportion of Russia's key
natural resources:
·
Oil: Just
under 80% of Russia's oil resources. Western Siberia is a major oil-producing
region, with fields like Priobskoye and Prirazlomnoye contributing
significantly to Russian oil production.
·
Natural
Gas: Around 85% of Russia's natural gas reserves. About 95% of Russia's
natural gas production occurs in Siberia.
·
Coal: Approximately
80% of Russia's coal resources.
· Other Resources: Similar amounts of precious metals and diamonds, and over 40% of the nation's timber resources.
· Contribution to GDP:
·
The
production and export of minerals like oil and gas form a substantial part of
Russia's economy, contributing approximately 3-4% of the country's GDP.
· The oil and gas sector overall contributes about 20% of Russia's GDP on average, with revenues fluctuating based on global prices and recent trade restrictions.
· Gross Regional Product
(GRP):
·
The
West Siberian economic region accounted for 21% of the national GRP in 2008.
·
The
East Siberian economic region accounted for 4% of the national GRP in 2008.
· In 2016, Siberia's Gross Regional Product (GRP) was 20.2% of the total GRP for Russia.
· Support for the National Economy: Siberia plays a significant role in providing tax revenues to the Russian federal budget, contributing 42.4% in 2016. It also plays a key role in industrial output (24.9% in 2016) and export (16.1% in 2016).
https://www.google.com/search?q=what+percent+of+gdp+relies+on++siberia
I recommend reading Russian
History. Vikings, known as Varangians in Eastern Europe, began
migrating to Russia around the late 8th century, establishing settlements
and trade routes along the rivers of Eastern Europe. They played a
significant role in the formation of Kievan Rus', the first East Slavic
state, and were instrumental in establishing trade networks between the Baltic,
Black, and Caspian Seas.
Comments
Russia’s Nominal GDP for 2025 is projected to be $2.076 Trillion.
Lately, Russia is not a big tourist attraction. Russia would be wise to continue to develop mining in Siberia and spend less on expansion like reclaiming Ukraine. They need to study the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire that was due to overexpansion expenses. They already ran out of money in 1989. They remain the poster child for the failure of central planning during their USSR days.
Russia continues to attack Ukraine and Ukraine continues to attack Russia. Ukraine is likely to wear down Russia’s resources and prevent Russia’s advance with increased US and EU support. The US is likely to increase oil and natural gas production over the next 6 months to reduce Russia’s revenue.
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader
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