The largest country in the world by land area is Russia, covering an immense 17.1 million square kilometers (6.6 million square miles). Russia occupies more than one-eighth of Earth’s inhabited land area, making it larger than the entire continent of Antarctica. This vast expanse of land stretches across Europe and Asia, making Russia a transcontinental country.
Geographical Extent
Russia spans 11 time zones and covers two continents: Europe and Asia. It stretches from its westernmost point in Kaliningrad, a small exclave bordering Poland, to its easternmost point at the Diomede Islands in the Bering Strait, just a few miles from Alaska. The country extends approximately 5,600 miles (9,000 kilometers) from east to west and over 1,500 miles (2,500 kilometers) from north to south.
Key Geographic Features
Russia boasts some of the world’s most diverse geographical features:
- Mountains: The Ural Mountains serve as a natural divide between European and Asian Russia. The Caucasus Mountains in southern Russia feature Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe at 18,510 feet (5,642 meters).
- Rivers: The Volga River is Europe’s longest river and a crucial waterway for transport and agriculture in the country.
- Lakes: Russia is home to Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest freshwater lake, containing about 20% of the world’s unfrozen fresh surface water.
- Forests: Russia is known for its taiga, the world’s largest terrestrial biome, consisting of dense forests that account for a substantial part of the planet’s oxygen production.
Population and Cities
Despite its enormous size, Russia has a relatively low population density of about 9 people per square kilometer. The majority of its population—roughly 145 million people—lives in the western part of the country, particularly in Moscow (its capital and largest city) and St. Petersburg. The sparsely populated regions of Siberia, located east of the Ural Mountains, are known for harsh winters and vast, uninhabited landscapes.
Economic and Strategic Importance
Russia’s vast size and natural resources contribute to its significant economic and geopolitical influence. It holds the world’s largest reserves of natural gas and is one of the top producers of oil, natural gas, and coal. Its vast territory also gives Russia access to important strategic waterways, including the Arctic Ocean and the Black Sea.
Climate Variations
The sheer size of Russia means the country experiences a wide range of climates:
- Northern Russia is characterized by tundra and extremely cold temperatures, especially in Siberia, where cities like Yakutsk experience some of the lowest winter temperatures outside Antarctica, sometimes reaching as low as -60°C (-76°F).
- Central and Western Russia experience a continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters, while the southernmost regions, such as the Black Sea coast, have a more moderate climate.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Russia’s vastness has shaped its history, culture, and identity. As a dominant power in world history, Russia was instrumental in the formation of the Soviet Union, which at its height controlled much of Eurasia. Even after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia remained the largest country in the world and retained its significant geopolitical role.
