Why Is Russia the Largest Country in the World? (2024)

Today at a Glance

• Introduction
• Russia
• Why is Russia so big?
• History and Imperial Expansion
• Soviet Era and Centralized Control
• Conclusion
• Past Greats 👴
• Random Fact

Quote of The Week

“Trust, but verify.”

— — —

This is an old Russian proverb that was made famous in English by U.S. President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.

Introduction

I’ve always noticed on the world map how large Russia is. This has always sparked my curiosity to know why Russia is so big. Therefore, I began researching to determine an explanation for this.

To no surprise, I quickly learned that Russia is the largest country around the globe and takes up one-tenth of the land on the entire planet. Isn't that fascinating? I wanted to discover more about why this was the case and share my findings with others who may have had similar concerns.

Know that every great power throughout history, from the Persians and Romans to Napoleon and Hitler, felt that expanding imperial domains would result in an increase in strength and influence. More territory would result in more resources, more grateful subjects, and more "living space" for the conquerors.

Russia

Stretching across two continents, Russia occupies one-tenth of all the land on Earth, making it the largest country in the world. It spans 11 time zones across two continents (Europe and Asia) and has coasts on three oceans (the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic).

Its immense size can be attributed to a combination of historical, geographic, and political factors. As the successor to the Soviet Union, Russia inherited vast territories that were once part of this powerful empire.

From the medieval era to the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, Russian leaders sought to extend their influence, resulting in the incorporation of various regions and peoples into the Russian Federation. The acquisition of territories such as Siberia, the Caucasus, and the Far East contributed significantly to Russia's vast size and diverse population, which includes numerous ethnic groups, languages, and religions.

Why is Russia So Big?

If you visit russianrailways.com, you can buy a ticket from Moscow to Vladivostok. It's a nearly 6,000-mile adventure that takes you over eight time zones and all the way to the Pacific Ocean in seven days.

Geographical Reasons

1. Low population: In the past, governments could simply claim enormous areas of land if no one contested their claims. Due to the high latitude, vast swaths of Russia are unpopulated or hardly populated [for comparison, Russia's total population is significantly less than the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh]. As a result, the Russians had little difficulty seizing areas all the way to the Pacific.
2. Most are nomads: The majority of the people who lived on these wide plains were nomads and cattle herders. They didn't have a major empire or a significant settlement to challenge the invading Europeans.
3. The terrain is mostly flat: When examining Russia's elevation map, it becomes evident that the country can be divided into two main flat regions: the Russian plains and the Siberian plateau. Apart from the Ural Mountains, which are not very tall, there are no significant natural barriers that would prevent a determined ruler from riding across the land to conquer it entirely. This lack of major geographical obstacles made it relatively easier for ambitious emperors to expand their influence over the vast expanse of Russia.

History and Imperial Expansion

Russia was a collection of Slavic tribes originating from Ukraine when the Mongols rushed west. Moscow was a city-state that collaborated with the Mongols to subjugate their fellow Russians and consolidate power.

Eventually, Moscow got powerful enough to turn the tables on the Mongols, and the slaves and the masters switched roles permanently. The man who pulled it off was Ivan the Great. Russia would have been a slightly bigger European state if it weren't for another Ivan the Terrible.

These regions now make up an impressive 77% of Russia's total land area. In other words, it was the successful conquest of Siberia that transformed Russia into the largest country in terms of geographical size. Moscow did not encounter anymajor problemsin the conquest and annexation of the eastern territories, and in 1645, the Russians reached the Pacific Ocean.

Soviet Era and Centralized Control

In 1865, a Russian statesman named Alexander Polovtsov pointed out the tremendous challenge of governing a country as vast as Russia. The sheer size of the land made it incredibly difficult for state officials to have a clear understanding of what was happening at the country's borders.

The Soviet Union, which emerged after the Russian Empire, expanded the territory even further, encompassing a massive 22.4 million square kilometres. It is important to note that the borders of present-day Russia were established following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The collapse of this enormous country, which had struggled to establish a cohesive communist empire, resulted in its fragmentation into 15 independent states. This redefined the borders and led to the formation of the Russia we know today.

Despite its vast geographical extent, Russia's population of 144 million people is just ninth in the globe.

Conclusion

In summary, the major contributing factor to Russia's territorial expansion was the relative lack of interest or opposition from other powers during specific periods of its history. As Russian tribes migrated eastward, they encountered little resistance, allowing for the gradual incorporation of vast regions into the Russian realm.

Also, it is true that a significant portion of Russian territory consists of remote and inhospitable landscapes, such as Siberia and the Arctic. These areas are characterized by extreme weather conditions, vast uninhabited stretches, and challenging terrain, making them less desirable for settlement or occupation. As a result, the majority of the Russian landmass remains sparsely populated.

I hope this article answers your question about why Russia is so big.

PAST GREATS

John Stuart Mill (May 1806 – May 1873)

John Stuart Mill was a British philosopher, economist, and political theorist who made significant contributions to the fields of ethics, logic, and social and political philosophy. He was raised in a highly intellectual environment as the son of James Mill, a prominent philosopher and economist. From an early age, Mill received a rigorous education, focusing on classical languages, mathematics, and philosophy under the guidance of his father.

Mill's life was marked by his tireless pursuit of individual liberty and social progress. He strongly advocated for the principle of utilitarianism, which holds that actions should be judged based on their ability to produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Mill was also involved in politics, serving as a member of the British Parliament and campaigning for various causes, including women's suffrage and the abolition of slavery. His life and writings continue to be studied and revered as important contributions to the fields of ethics, philosophy, and political thought.

Random Fact

When people on the western border of Russia wake up for work, people in the eastern border are just having dinner.

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