Russia

Russia is the largest country in the world, covering approximately 17.1 million square kilometres and spanning eleven time zones across Eastern Europe and northern Asia. Its immense territory extends from the Baltic Sea and Eastern European Plain in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east, and from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Caucasus Mountains and borders with China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan in the south. This vast area encompasses a remarkable diversity of landscapes, including Arctic tundra, boreal forests (taiga), fertile grasslands (steppes), mountain ranges, wetlands, and extensive river basins. Major rivers such as the Volga, Ob, Yenisei, Lena, and Amur play important roles in transportation, energy production, and regional development. Russia is also home to Lake Baikal, which contains roughly one-fifth of the world’s unfrozen freshwater reserves and represents one of the planet’s most significant freshwater ecosystems. The country’s climate ranges from polar conditions in the far north to more temperate continental climates in the south, although long, cold winters are characteristic of much of the territory.

The origins of the Russian state can be traced to Kievan Rus', a federation of East Slavic principalities that emerged during the ninth century. Following the Mongol invasions of the thirteenth century, political power gradually shifted to Moscow, which became the centre of a unified Russian state. Under the rule of the tsars, particularly from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, Russia expanded dramatically across Siberia and into Central Asia, eventually becoming one of the largest empires in world history. During the nineteenth century, industrialisation and social change transformed Russian society, but political tensions culminated in the Russian Revolution of 1917. This revolution ended the monarchy and led to the establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922. The USSR became a major industrial, scientific, and military power and played a decisive role in the Second World War and the Cold War. After decades of centralised economic planning and political control, the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, giving rise to the modern Russian Federation. Since then, Russia has undergone significant economic, political, and social transformations while maintaining a prominent role in international affairs.

Russia possesses abundant natural resources, including large reserves of oil, natural gas, coal, iron ore, and other minerals, which form the foundation of much of its economy. However, agriculture remains an important sector despite the challenges posed by harsh climatic conditions and relatively short growing seasons in many regions. Only a small proportion of Russian territory is suitable for cultivation, and agricultural production is concentrated mainly in the fertile black-earth regions of southern European Russia and parts of western Siberia. These areas benefit from more favourable soils and climatic conditions, enabling the cultivation of a variety of crops. Wheat is the most important crop and has made Russia one of the world’s leading grain exporters. Other major crops include barley, rye, oats, maize, sunflower seeds, sugar beet, potatoes, and vegetables. In recent decades, agricultural productivity has increased through technological improvements, larger-scale farming operations, and investment in modern equipment and infrastructure.

Livestock farming also contributes significantly to Russian agriculture. Cattle are raised for both meat and dairy production, while pigs and poultry provide important sources of protein for the domestic market. Sheep breeding is common in some southern and eastern regions, particularly in steppe and semi-arid environments. The agricultural sector faces challenges such as climate variability, soil degradation in some areas, and the need for sustainable land management, yet it remains essential for food security and rural employment.

Forestry is one of Russia’s most important natural-resource industries. The country contains approximately one-fifth of the world’s forested area, with the taiga forming the largest continuous forest belt on Earth. These forests are dominated by coniferous species such as pine, spruce, fir, and larch, although deciduous trees are also present in many regions. Russian forests provide timber for construction, furniture manufacturing, paper production, and export markets. Beyond their economic value, they play a crucial ecological role by supporting biodiversity, regulating water cycles, protecting soils, and storing vast amounts of carbon. As concerns about climate change increase, sustainable forest management and conservation have become increasingly important aspects of national environmental policy.

Fishery represents another significant component of Russia’s primary economic sector. With coastlines stretching along the Arctic, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans, as well as access to numerous rivers, lakes, and inland seas, Russia possesses some of the world’s richest fishing grounds. Commercial fisheries operate extensively in the Bering Sea, the Sea of Okhotsk, the Barents Sea, and the North Pacific. Important commercial species include pollock, cod, herring, mackerel, crab, and several species of Pacific salmon. Inland fisheries also exploit freshwater resources from rivers and lakes, producing species such as sturgeon, pike, and perch. Fish and seafood contribute substantially to domestic food supplies and export revenues. In recent years, efforts have been made to improve the sustainability of fish stocks through regulation, scientific monitoring, and international cooperation.

Overall, Russia’s geography, history, and natural resources have strongly shaped its development. Its vast territory provides abundant agricultural land, forests, freshwater resources, and fishing grounds, while its historical evolution from a medieval state to a global power has influenced its economic and political significance. Agriculture, forestry, and fishery continue to play important roles in supporting the country’s economy, food production, and management of its extensive natural environment.

Gerold was 1983 first time in the biggest country on earth: 1983: 3 days in Moscow, in the Sovjet world. After this tour long time not been there. Some stop overs in Moscow, St. Pietersburg or Krasnidov. On Asian flights I still landed in some cities from time to time, if Gerold flew with Aeroflot, but where, I don't know that either. He doesn`t read the names, mostly it was in the night. In 2007 Gerold and Klaudia were on a stopover to Kyrgyzstan for several hours at the boring international airport. The coffee cost 5 € and the style and the infrastructure still seems like under Soviet times. The handling of the passengers is bad. 2014 again at the airport in Moscow. But only half a day. Then onward journey to Mongolia. The trade war with the West because of Ukraine was not yet established. Also in 2014 in Krasnodar (east of Crimea: this year just connected to Russia after referendum) stoppedover. Because they didn't manage the transit to the onward flight (door was locked at 1 o'clock at night, doorkeeper already at home), I had to enter Russia to leave around the corner again (a wall). It was a hell of a spectacle for the border guards. But everything worked out. But I don't have to land there again. 2019 Gerold and Klaudia drove with Alexander from Gdansk to Riga via Kaliningrad, passing the Kurische Nehrung to Lithuania: 1 day transit was possible for 500 Euro 3 people and long procedures at the border.