Population and settlement
Russia, the world's largest country and one of the greatest superpowers of the modern age, began over a thousand years ago. The vikings invaded the Slavs already living in what is Russia today, and conquered them. Throughout the next few centuries they organized the various groups living throughout the region, and by the end of the 9th century the first prince of all of Russia, Vladimir, was proclaimed. Russia only grew in size from this point on wards, and today it stretches across most of the continent of Asia and part of Europe, all the way to the pacific ocean.
The people that make up the population of Russia today came from a wide variety of historical backgrounds. The Slavs were the first people to live in the area, who were then invaded by the Vikings. These two peoples assimilated, and some groups of Turkish descent also continued to expand the various ethnicity within the country. Finally, in the 19th and 20th century, a large amount of German people began immigrating into the country. With all of these combined ethnic groups and the large area of land Russia controls, it is the second most populated country on the planet.
Because Russia is such a large country, it has a great amount of natural resources at it’s disposal. Russia has used these resources and lands to propel itself as a great superpower of today. Rich mineral reserves containing iron, copper, and nickel rushed Russia into becoming vastly rich. Russia is also in control of many oil reserves, as well as one-fifth of all of the trees in the world, and even holding 30% of the world’s natural resources. Due to Russia’s location far North of the equator, the climate year round is relatively cold. It’s capital, Moscow, has average temperatures that range from the 20’s to the 60’s, depending on the time of year. Most of Russia is much colder however, as Moscow is relatively far south compared to most of it’s land. This remains one of the reasons Russia has stood strong for so long, most invading forces are not prepared for the extreme cold that the winters of Russia bring.
Jared Diamond, the author of the book “Guns, Germs, and Steel”, created a theory on why certain countries thrived over others. Russia surpassed other countries by expanding what land they had while capitalizing their resources. In Russia’s later years, they held 11.2% of the worlds supply of barley. Russia has also become one of the major exporters of grain, making other countries have to barter for Russia’s resources. This combined with the amount of land that Russia held put it ahead of any countries surrounding it. Other countries bought out Russia’s land for millions of dollars, for example, Russia sold Alaska to the United States for 7.2 million dollars in 1867. Those reasons alone support Diamond’s theories, including his diffusion theory, on why some countries prosper while other countries fall.
When the first vikings invaded the region of Russia over a thousand years ago, they knew it held many valuable assets they could use. They desired the rich natural resources of the area, as well as trade routes across the continent, and the power of the people already living in Russia, which they planned on conquering. There have been countless attempts to invade or conquer Russia over the past one thousand years, but due to the frigid climate, harsh environment, and strong willed people, none have been successful at even lessening the size of Russia. This was proven true as recent as WWII, when Hitler invaded Russia and failed to compensate for the extreme temperatures that accompanied the changing of the seasons, causing his defeat in 1944.
The people that make up the population of Russia today came from a wide variety of historical backgrounds. The Slavs were the first people to live in the area, who were then invaded by the Vikings. These two peoples assimilated, and some groups of Turkish descent also continued to expand the various ethnicity within the country. Finally, in the 19th and 20th century, a large amount of German people began immigrating into the country. With all of these combined ethnic groups and the large area of land Russia controls, it is the second most populated country on the planet.
Because Russia is such a large country, it has a great amount of natural resources at it’s disposal. Russia has used these resources and lands to propel itself as a great superpower of today. Rich mineral reserves containing iron, copper, and nickel rushed Russia into becoming vastly rich. Russia is also in control of many oil reserves, as well as one-fifth of all of the trees in the world, and even holding 30% of the world’s natural resources. Due to Russia’s location far North of the equator, the climate year round is relatively cold. It’s capital, Moscow, has average temperatures that range from the 20’s to the 60’s, depending on the time of year. Most of Russia is much colder however, as Moscow is relatively far south compared to most of it’s land. This remains one of the reasons Russia has stood strong for so long, most invading forces are not prepared for the extreme cold that the winters of Russia bring.
Jared Diamond, the author of the book “Guns, Germs, and Steel”, created a theory on why certain countries thrived over others. Russia surpassed other countries by expanding what land they had while capitalizing their resources. In Russia’s later years, they held 11.2% of the worlds supply of barley. Russia has also become one of the major exporters of grain, making other countries have to barter for Russia’s resources. This combined with the amount of land that Russia held put it ahead of any countries surrounding it. Other countries bought out Russia’s land for millions of dollars, for example, Russia sold Alaska to the United States for 7.2 million dollars in 1867. Those reasons alone support Diamond’s theories, including his diffusion theory, on why some countries prosper while other countries fall.
When the first vikings invaded the region of Russia over a thousand years ago, they knew it held many valuable assets they could use. They desired the rich natural resources of the area, as well as trade routes across the continent, and the power of the people already living in Russia, which they planned on conquering. There have been countless attempts to invade or conquer Russia over the past one thousand years, but due to the frigid climate, harsh environment, and strong willed people, none have been successful at even lessening the size of Russia. This was proven true as recent as WWII, when Hitler invaded Russia and failed to compensate for the extreme temperatures that accompanied the changing of the seasons, causing his defeat in 1944.
maps of russia |
The map to the left shows the growth of Russia in Europe between 1300 and 1796. Russia gain control of much land over the years of with battles, and this map depicts how much land Russia slowly gain control on.
The map below, depicts Germany moving into Russia, and the direct paths that they took. It also shows where they moved into Russia, and which Germans where moving into the country. |
Population
In 1950, Russia shows an enormous difference in men and women population. The sides may look strikingly similar, but more women were occupying Russia then men. The average age for both genders, however, was in the mid- twenties. Fast forward 60 years, and Russia's life expectancy has almost doubled. The genders have evened out, as well as the ages for each gender occupying Russia is not too top-heavy in any particular age group. The population itself has expanded as well, this due to advancements in health and the economy most likely.
Additional information about the settlement of russia
The above link will provide you with multiple pages going into detail on settlement patterns in Russia. There is also another tab along the side that goes into detail about the ethnic groups and population that occupies Russia.
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The link above describes Russia's colonization in California, relating Russian activity to what is today the United States.
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Resouces
FAO AGRICULTURE AND TRADE POLICY BACKGROUND NOTE R U S S I A. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2014, from http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/est/meetings/wto_comm/Trade_Policy_Brief_Russia_final.pdf
Korabik, K. (1997, December 1). Russia's Natural Resources and their Economic Effects. Retrieved September 13, 2014, from http://www.ems.psu.edu/~williams/russia.htm
Moscow Monthly Climate Average, Russia. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2014, from http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Moscow- weather-averages/Moscow-City/RU.aspx
Russia. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2014, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/513251/Russia#toc38573
Russian Settlement at Fort Ross, California, in the 19th Century. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2014, from http://www.parks.sonoma.net/rosshist.html
The Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2014, from http://cvgs.cu- portland.edu/archives/maps/russia.cfm
Korabik, K. (1997, December 1). Russia's Natural Resources and their Economic Effects. Retrieved September 13, 2014, from http://www.ems.psu.edu/~williams/russia.htm
Moscow Monthly Climate Average, Russia. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2014, from http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Moscow- weather-averages/Moscow-City/RU.aspx
Russia. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2014, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/513251/Russia#toc38573
Russian Settlement at Fort Ross, California, in the 19th Century. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2014, from http://www.parks.sonoma.net/rosshist.html
The Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2014, from http://cvgs.cu- portland.edu/archives/maps/russia.cfm