Population and Settlement
The Russian Federation, more commonly known as simply, Russia, is the world’s largest country geographically. As of 2012 the population stood at 143.5 million people (World Population Statistics). Surely this group of peoples did not spring up immediately. Russian civilization can be traced back to the pre-Slavs in an area called, Mesopotamia. This region was just north of the Fertile Crescent. The proximity that Mesopotamia had to the Fertile Crescent is undoubtedly significant due to the advances in farming and technology that the Fertile Crescent experienced. This knowledge that began in the Fertile Crescent was carried outward into Eurasia due to the similar climate and beginning of domesticated plants and animals.
By 1500 BC, the regions of Poland and western Russia were inhabited and by 1000 BC southwest Russia was being settled. This was most likely done because by at least 2000 BC horses had been domesticated on the Eurasian steppes, a broad pathway that leads into Central Asia and southern Russia. Horses can not only carry people but also have the strength to carry large loads which would help with transportation of goods and farming. In particular, the inhabitants of the area north and northwest of the Black Sea came to be known as the Skoloti (Ancient Peoples of the Russian Steppes, Delaine). They were excellent horsemen and warriors, allowing them to defend their territory. The Greeks referred to them as “Scythians” and considered them barbarians.
A large area in between the Caspian and Black sea were controlled by a group called the Khazars. They maintained control by being the main source of trade between the Baltic area and Muslim empire which was based in Baghdad (History of Russia). This area would slowly be taken over by the Vikings around the 9th century. While on most occasions the Vikings were impartial to just plundering towns and cities, their infiltration further into Russia was due to their want to trade. They started to use the many rivers to go further into the country. Their power spread across an area called, Kiev Rus, which will someday come common day Russia. Their location was essential because it had access to three main seas: the Baltic, the Caspian, and the Black. Various rivers also gave access to the seas. This prime location made Kiev Rus a center for trade and one of Russia’s first cities. The natural resources of Russia, including silver, horses, furs, wax, honey and slaves were exchanged with the Greeks for gold, clothes, fruit, and wine (History of Russia, historyworld.net).
One of the main threats to the Russians throughout the earliest years of settlement were the Mongols, also known as Tatars. More than half of the Russian population was lost during these raids that even took Kiev Rus in 1240. While areas began to fall to Mongol control, one area began to flourish under their control: Moscow. While Moscow was reclaimed by Russian royalty in the late 1300s, it was Ivan III that helped further expand Russia’s territory and completely expel the Tatars. Not only did Ivan III double Russian territory to include the northern forested areas, but he also instilled a more Western monarch system. Moscow became the new capitol.
It is important to remember that while Russia was expanded, this did not mean it was immediately habitable by people. Most of the region that was added was arctic or subarctic. Winters in the northern and east regions can reach -40 degrees Farenheit! While summers are short and cool, the winters are very harsh and scarce of resources. This caused most settlements to remain near the western edges of the country.
However, settlements were not limited to just the west. The first two Romanov reigns saw drastic gains in territory between 1613 and 1676 (History of Russia). Shortly after, the capitol of Russia moved to St. Petersburg, which is now famous for its colorful basilica. St. Petersburg is considerably north of Moscow, near Finland. It remained the capitol from 1713-1718 and 1732-1918.
The rest of the century from 1918 and on lies in reform in the Russian government and people. During the communistic reign of the 1920s, Slavic countries including, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Tajikistan, and more were added to the existing territory which will be known as the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). Also known as the Soviet Union, this socialist power would live through both World Wars until 1991 when all of the corresponding republics had finally declared their independence (Fall of the Soviet Union, history.com). The dissolved USSR would from there on be known as the Russian Federation.
Russia has seen its fair share of loss and gains in not only territory but also population. Beginning where most great civilizations started around the Fertile Crescent, it has grown into the largest territory on earth and slowly the inhabitants found its natural resources like timber, oil, and precious minerals. Through major losses, Russia has still maintained an importance in the major success of civilization.
By 1500 BC, the regions of Poland and western Russia were inhabited and by 1000 BC southwest Russia was being settled. This was most likely done because by at least 2000 BC horses had been domesticated on the Eurasian steppes, a broad pathway that leads into Central Asia and southern Russia. Horses can not only carry people but also have the strength to carry large loads which would help with transportation of goods and farming. In particular, the inhabitants of the area north and northwest of the Black Sea came to be known as the Skoloti (Ancient Peoples of the Russian Steppes, Delaine). They were excellent horsemen and warriors, allowing them to defend their territory. The Greeks referred to them as “Scythians” and considered them barbarians.
A large area in between the Caspian and Black sea were controlled by a group called the Khazars. They maintained control by being the main source of trade between the Baltic area and Muslim empire which was based in Baghdad (History of Russia). This area would slowly be taken over by the Vikings around the 9th century. While on most occasions the Vikings were impartial to just plundering towns and cities, their infiltration further into Russia was due to their want to trade. They started to use the many rivers to go further into the country. Their power spread across an area called, Kiev Rus, which will someday come common day Russia. Their location was essential because it had access to three main seas: the Baltic, the Caspian, and the Black. Various rivers also gave access to the seas. This prime location made Kiev Rus a center for trade and one of Russia’s first cities. The natural resources of Russia, including silver, horses, furs, wax, honey and slaves were exchanged with the Greeks for gold, clothes, fruit, and wine (History of Russia, historyworld.net).
One of the main threats to the Russians throughout the earliest years of settlement were the Mongols, also known as Tatars. More than half of the Russian population was lost during these raids that even took Kiev Rus in 1240. While areas began to fall to Mongol control, one area began to flourish under their control: Moscow. While Moscow was reclaimed by Russian royalty in the late 1300s, it was Ivan III that helped further expand Russia’s territory and completely expel the Tatars. Not only did Ivan III double Russian territory to include the northern forested areas, but he also instilled a more Western monarch system. Moscow became the new capitol.
It is important to remember that while Russia was expanded, this did not mean it was immediately habitable by people. Most of the region that was added was arctic or subarctic. Winters in the northern and east regions can reach -40 degrees Farenheit! While summers are short and cool, the winters are very harsh and scarce of resources. This caused most settlements to remain near the western edges of the country.
However, settlements were not limited to just the west. The first two Romanov reigns saw drastic gains in territory between 1613 and 1676 (History of Russia). Shortly after, the capitol of Russia moved to St. Petersburg, which is now famous for its colorful basilica. St. Petersburg is considerably north of Moscow, near Finland. It remained the capitol from 1713-1718 and 1732-1918.
The rest of the century from 1918 and on lies in reform in the Russian government and people. During the communistic reign of the 1920s, Slavic countries including, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Tajikistan, and more were added to the existing territory which will be known as the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). Also known as the Soviet Union, this socialist power would live through both World Wars until 1991 when all of the corresponding republics had finally declared their independence (Fall of the Soviet Union, history.com). The dissolved USSR would from there on be known as the Russian Federation.
Russia has seen its fair share of loss and gains in not only territory but also population. Beginning where most great civilizations started around the Fertile Crescent, it has grown into the largest territory on earth and slowly the inhabitants found its natural resources like timber, oil, and precious minerals. Through major losses, Russia has still maintained an importance in the major success of civilization.
Fig. 1
This map shows control of the Russian Tsardom from 1500 until 1700. As shown, the amount of territory gained after 1700 was vast and included areas in what is called Taiga, which includes needless tress which are used for timber. Oil, another natural resource, is found here.
Tsardom of Russia (2014)
This map shows control of the Russian Tsardom from 1500 until 1700. As shown, the amount of territory gained after 1700 was vast and included areas in what is called Taiga, which includes needless tress which are used for timber. Oil, another natural resource, is found here.
Tsardom of Russia (2014)
Fig. 2 This diagram shows what climates range across Russia. A majority is made up Boreal forests which will help provide timber for building, burning, and selling. Various animals live in these woods and will also provide meat and fur. This map also helps to visualize what parts of Russia are more difficult to live in, like the Tundra region.
Russian Vegetation and the Extent of the Boreal Forest (2011)
Additional Sources
For more information on the history of Russia and how the population and settlements have shifted, please visit these two sites: historyworld.net or parallelsixty.com.
Both serve a thorough examination of the settlements and how they evolved over time.
Finally, both sites allow access to examine other countries and their history.
Both serve a thorough examination of the settlements and how they evolved over time.
Finally, both sites allow access to examine other countries and their history.
Population Pyramids (Fig. 3)
These population pyramids differ by 100 years- the first being in 1950 and the other in 2050. In 1950, more of the classic pyramid shape is seen, with a wider base and narrower top. This means that in 1950, there was a greater population of younger people than older people. There are distinct inward points on the graph, though. The population aged 5-9 was much lower than those 0-4, just as those aged 15-19 was lower than 10-14. The greatest drop in population was between the ages 24-34. The estimated population pyramid for 2050 is not so much a pyramid, but more of a rectangular shape. There an almost an equal amount of young people to old people. In fact, it is speculated that women aged 60-64 will surpass those women aged younger than them.
Sources
Delaine, L. (2007, September 27). Ancient Peoples of the Russian Steppes.Russian Life. Retrieved January 29, 2014, from http://www.russianlife.com/blog/ancient-peoples-russian-steppes/
Encyclopedia of the Nations. (n.d.).Russia. Retrieved January 29, 2014, from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/econ
Fall of the Soviet Union. (n.d.).History.com. Retrieved January 29, 2014, from http://www.history.com/topics/fall-of-soviet-union
Gascoigne, B. (n.d.). HISTORY OF RUSSIA. History World. Retrieved January 29, 2014, from http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?groupid=2366&HistoryID=ac14>rack=pthc
History of Russia. (n.d.). About Russia. Retrieved January 29, 2014, from http://www.parallelsixty.com/history-russia.shtml
Russia Population 2013. (2013, November 5). World Population Statistics. Retrieved January 29, 2014, from http://www.worldpopulationstatistics.com/russia-population-2013/
Encyclopedia of the Nations. (n.d.).Russia. Retrieved January 29, 2014, from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/econ
Fall of the Soviet Union. (n.d.).History.com. Retrieved January 29, 2014, from http://www.history.com/topics/fall-of-soviet-union
Gascoigne, B. (n.d.). HISTORY OF RUSSIA. History World. Retrieved January 29, 2014, from http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?groupid=2366&HistoryID=ac14>rack=pthc
History of Russia. (n.d.). About Russia. Retrieved January 29, 2014, from http://www.parallelsixty.com/history-russia.shtml
Russia Population 2013. (2013, November 5). World Population Statistics. Retrieved January 29, 2014, from http://www.worldpopulationstatistics.com/russia-population-2013/