Discover the Fascinating Facts About the Largest Country in the World: Russia

Russia is widely known as the largest country in the world, spanning over 17 million square kilometers.

Russia: The Largest Country in the World

Russia is the largest country in the world, covering an area of 17.1 million square kilometers. It spans two continents, Europe and Asia, and borders 14 countries. Russia’s size is a result of its history and geography. Throughout its history, Russia has expanded its borders through conquests, colonization, treaties, and purchases. Its vast land area has shaped its culture, economy, politics, and foreign relations.

This Post: Discover the Fascinating Facts About the Largest Country in the World: Russia

Geographical Location

Russia is located in northern Eurasia between latitudes 41° and 82° N and longitudes 19° E and 169° W. It is the only country that stretches across both Europe and Asia. The European part of Russia lies to the west of the Ural Mountains, while the Asian part occupies most of Siberia to the east.

Climate

Russia has a diverse climate due to its size and location. Most of Russia experiences a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. However, some regions have a subarctic or arctic climate with long winters and short summers. The average temperature in Moscow in January is -7°C (19°F), while in July it is +18°C (64°F).

Official Recognition of Russia as the World’s Largest Country

The official recognition of Russia as the world’s largest country comes from various sources such as international organizations like United Nations (UN) or Guinness World Records. According to UN data from 2020, Russia ranks first among all countries by land area followed by Canada at second place.

Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records recognizes Russia as the largest country by land area since it covers more than one-eighth of Earth’s inhabited land area. It also holds several other records related to size such as the longest railway, the deepest freshwater lake, and the largest forest reserve.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Russia has 29 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including cultural and natural landmarks. These sites represent the country’s rich history, diverse culture, and unique natural features. Some of the most famous sites include the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow, Saint Petersburg’s historic center, Lake Baikal in Siberia, and Kamchatka volcanoes.

The Acquisition of Russia’s Vast Land Area

The acquisition of Russia’s vast land area is a result of various historical events that shaped its borders over time. The country’s expansion was driven by different factors such as military conquests, colonization, treaties with neighboring countries, and purchases.

Military Conquests

Russia’s military conquests played a significant role in expanding its borders. In the 16th century, Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) conquered Kazan and Astrakhan Khanates in present-day Tatarstan and extended Russia’s territory to the east. Later on, Peter I (Peter the Great) acquired territories along the Baltic Sea from Sweden during the Great Northern War (1700-1721).

Colonization

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Russia colonized vast territories in Siberia during the 17th century by sending Cossacks (Russian warriors) to explore and settle new lands. The Russian Empire continued to expand eastward towards Alaska until it sold it to the United States in 1867.

Treaties with Neighboring Countries

Russia signed several treaties with neighboring countries throughout history that led to territorial gains or losses. For example, after defeating Napoleon Bonaparte in 1812-1814, Russia gained Finland from Sweden through a treaty signed at the Congress of Vienna. On the other hand, after losing World War I, Russia lost territories such as Poland, Finland, and the Baltic States to other countries.

Geographical Features Within Russia’s Borders

Russia’s vast land area includes a diverse range of geographical features that make it one of the most unique countries in the world. From mountains to rivers, lakes to forests, and tundra to deserts, Russia has it all.

Mountains

The Ural Mountains divide Europe and Asia and stretch for over 2,500 kilometers. The Caucasus Mountains in the south are home to Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe at 5,642 meters. The Altai Mountains in Siberia have stunning landscapes with glaciers, lakes, and valleys.

Rivers and Lakes

Russia has many large rivers such as the Volga (the longest river in Europe), the Ob-Irtysh (the longest river system in Asia), and the Lena (one of the longest rivers in the world). Lake Baikal is the deepest lake on Earth and contains more than one-fifth of the world’s freshwater.

Forests

Russia has some of the largest forest reserves in the world with over 800 million hectares of forested land. The Taiga forest covers much of Siberia and is home to many species such as brown bears, wolves, elk, lynx, and sable.

The Impact of Russia’s Size on its History and Global Position

Russia’s size has had a significant impact on its history and global position. Its vast land area has shaped its culture, economy, politics, military power, and foreign relations throughout history.

Culture

Russia’s size has contributed to its rich cultural heritage with diverse ethnic groups living across different regions. Russian culture is known for its literature (Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Chekhov), music (Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff), art (Repin, Shishkin), and architecture (Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral).

Economy

Russia’s size has also impacted its economy with vast natural resources such as oil, gas, coal, timber, and metals. It is one of the world’s leading producers of these commodities and exports them to other countries.

Politics and Military Power

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Russia’s size has given it a strategic advantage in terms of defense and military power. Its large land area provides a buffer zone against invading armies and allows for the deployment of troops across different regions. Russia’s military strength has played a crucial role in shaping its foreign policy and global position.

Foreign Relations

Russia’s size has made it a significant player in international relations with neighboring countries and global powers. Its geographic location between Europe and Asia makes it an important bridge between the two continents. Russia’s foreign policy is driven by its interests in maintaining regional stability, protecting its national security, and expanding its influence abroad.

In conclusion, Russia is the largest country in the world, covering over 17 million square kilometers and spanning two continents.

FAQ

What is the largest country in the world by land mass?

Russia is the largest country by far, with a total area of about 17 million square kilometers. Despite its large area, Russia – nowadays the largest country in the world – has a relatively small total population.May 2, 2023

Is Canada bigger than Russia?

Russia is the largest country in the world by land area, covering over 6.6 million square miles, which is 2.8 million square miles more than the second largest country, Canada. It is divided into nine time zones and has land borders with 14 neighboring countries. This information was last updated on August 7, 2013.

Which is the largest population country in the world?

The United Nations estimates that India will surpass China as the most populous country in the world in April 2023.

Which is biggest country in Asia?

Russia is the biggest country in the world in terms of land area, covering over 17 million square kilometers, with 77% of that area, or 13 million square kilometers, located in Asia. China comes in as the second-largest country in Asia with a land area of 9.6 million square kilometers.

Which country is no 1?

According to rankings, Switzerland has been declared as the top country in the world for 2022.

Is Asia the largest land mass on Earth?

Asia is the biggest continent on the planet, encompassing about 30% of the Earth’s landmass and having the highest population, with about 60% of the total global population residing there. Asia forms the eastern part of the Eurasian supercontinent while Europe occupies the western part.

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