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Russia's Population

Russian Population Research Project
By Tom O'Donnell

1. Natural Characteristics affecting population Distribution
(Arizona 07)

Population distribution is heavily affected by natural characteristics such as rivers, mountains, lakes and forests. A lot of people tend to live where there are pleasant living conditions and/or conditions that suit themselves. Flat, easy accessible, build-able and agricultural friendly land always attracts people. To establish towns and cities there is a number of geographical and natural factors. Cities are usually established next to or close to places with a plenty of natural resources, seas and large rivers for ports, trade routes and water supply. They are located on or next to flat land for agricultural purposes, though in some cases especially with very old cities they might have been located with surrounding hills for protection against enemies. A moderate and temperate climate is always pleasant for living too, as well as evenly distributed rainfall for farming, vegetation and fertile soil. Good natural resources include minerals eg. Coal and Iron for trade, income, economy as well as a power supply, also forests for timber and a reliable water supply. Natural routes such as gaps through mountains and confluences of valleys ensure easy transport and trade which in return can equal immigration and as well as friendly neighbouring cities. (The New Wider World)

(Leicester 06)

The overall population density of Russia is 8 persons per sq km, but the population is unevenly distributed across the country. The population density of a particular area generally reflects the land's agricultural potential, with localised population centres occurring at mining and industrial centres. Most of the country's people are concentrated in Western Russia (or known as European Russia) in the so called ‘fertile triangle', which has its base along the western border between the Baltic and Black seas and tapers eastward across the...