European part of Russia: territory, regions and cities

Many residents of a particular locality in Russia do not even know the surrounding sights, not to mention those with whom the neighboring city or other region is famous. Foreigners and do often have only a remote view of the country. Fortunately, the level of service is constantly growing, which gradually stimulates the development of tourism.

Geographical location

The territory of the European part of Russia from the east is bounded by the Ural Mountains, the southern border passes through the North Caucasus. Its size is about 4 000 000 km square, that is, it is almost half of Europe, but only 23% of the entire great country. This is the most developed and densely populated part of the state. It is here that there are noisy megacities, ultramodern buildings, and quite near - original ancient Russian cities and the most beautiful nature. The population of the European part of Russia is about 80 million people - this is half of all residents of the country.

Uniform and indivisible

The European and Asian part of Russia is one big whole, although the second geographically belongs to Asia. Its area is about 13 000 000 km sq., Although it is inhabited by relatively few people. This is due to the small number of large cities and adverse climatic conditions. The whole vast territory is inhabited by about 70 million people.

The Asian part is divided into 4 regions: the Urals, Siberia, the Eastern and Western and Far East. This expanse from the Pacific Ocean to the Ural Mountains, the birthplace of endless forests and beautiful rivers. Despite the abundance of natural resources concentrated in the eastern part of Russia, construction costs are much more expensive, because of the harsh climate, permafrost, mountainous terrain, forests and marshes. This is why huge areas remain virtually untouched.

Paradise for nature lovers and hikers

The largest cities of the Asian part of Russia are Novosibirsk, Omsk, Tyumen, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk. The incredible beauty of the surroundings attracts tourists from all over the world. The famous sanatorium "Belokurikha", the magnificent Belukha mountain range and the protected area of the Altai mountain make it possible to realize dozens of tourist routes of the most varied complexity.

Kamchatka gives an opportunity to get acquainted with active volcanoes and geysers. Thermal springs and therapeutic mud open up wide opportunities for improving health. The flora and fauna is unique. Luxurious fishing will give unforgettable impressions.

Already mentioned mountain Altai and Lake Baikal attract many tourists every year.

Administrative division

The following economic regions are distinguished in the European part of Russia:

• Central.
• Northwestern.
• Southern.
• North-Caucasian.
• Privolzhsky.

The European part of Russia is a well-organized city, which is no longer distinguishable from the megalopolises of Europe - the glitter of night lights, luxury hotels and restaurants, excellent shopping ... Each district is ready to offer its program for tourists, so let's look at their sights separately. The population of the European part of Russia consists of representatives of 39 nationalities. Among them, the Russians, Tatars, Ukrainians are leading.

Characteristics of the European part of Russia

We have already spoken about the Asian territory, so it will not be considered here. The European part of Russia stretches from the western borders of the country to the Urals. Cities are located compactly, close to Europe, there is access to the Atlantic Sea.

Most of the natural and hydropower resources are concentrated in the eastern part of the country, here only the mining of iron is the leader. The main focus in the western part is on the manufacturing industry and agriculture. The banking sphere is much more developed.

Central area of western Russia

Beauty Moscow, the ancient Kremlin, architectural monuments and museums. Every tourist is eager to visit the Golden-domed, but apart from it, there are other cities in the European part of Russia, which are no less interesting. Any travel agency will offer you a tour of the Golden Ring, visiting Suzdal, Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Ivanovo and other cities. Ancient temples and unique works of ancient architects will give a lot of impressions.

The second direction for travel can become places of life of great people. The most famous of them, of course, is Yasnaya Polyana, although the manors of the Pushkin, Sheremetyev, Shcherbatov, and Bolshoy Boldino have been undeservedly forgotten.

Smolensk Lake District, forest Zavolzhie - not enough for a decade to visit every amazing corner. The developed infrastructure and the absence of problems with transport and hotels make it possible to successfully accept even foreign tourists.

This district includes such areas of the European part of Russia as Moscow, Belgorod, Yaroslavl, Bryansk, Tula, Vladimir, Tver, Voronezh, Tambov, Ivanovo, Smolensk, Kaluga, Ryazan, Kostroma, Oryol, Kursk and Lipetsk. Budget vacation on the banks of majestic forests and beautiful rivers will benefit, will charge with health and good mood.

North-West district

This is a large and underdeveloped part of the country. These include the Arkhangelsk, Pskov, Vologda, Novgorod, Murmansk, Leningrad regions, Komi, Karelia and the creation of Peter, sung by AS. Pushkin, St. Petersburg. What is interesting for tourists? The north of the European part of Russia is a fabulous virgin taiga. In summer there is a fresh breeze in the treetops, birds singing. If the vacation fell on a hot July, it is better not to find a place: the lakes are warming up for a comfortable bath, and on the beach the sun does not burn the skin. In the autumn the taiga pleases with colors, everywhere is crimson and gold. Fall leaves, nature ceases in anticipation of winter ...

Karelia provides great scope for water adventures. Local lakes are interconnected by rapids rapids, so lovers of rafting will like it here. The mountains of the Khibiny are famous among the newcomers of mountain skiing, but it is better to conduct classes before the onset of severe winter frosts.

In the North, many architectural monuments, ancient monasteries (Solovetsky, Valaamsky), Kizhi Church in Onega Lake and much more.

South Region

River, forest and sun ... A dream here can come true. In this district includes the Krasnodar Territory, Adygea, Astrakhan, Volgograd region. The presence of large and very beautiful rivers, such as the Volga and the Don, offers endless opportunities for a vacation. At the same time, you can not even plan a trip to the Black Sea, to Sochi or Anapa.

If we talk about visiting tourists, they often prefer to relax in tents in comfortable tents of the Black Sea coast with visiting the local arboretum and other interesting places. But for the local population with an average income can come to rest in a tent camp on the Volga, a trip by ferry to the city-museum Myshkin and any other budget option.

North-Caucasian District

This district includes the Stavropol Territory, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan. Today these places are world-famous as the only subtropical climate zone in the country that will give us the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. Every year thousands of tourists rest and improve their health here. It is impossible not to mention the local mineral waters. Kislovodsk is a former all-Union health resort, which is still very popular today.

Mountaineers have long taken a liking to these places, since here is located Elbrus - the highest peak in Europe. Routes of varying severity allow you to master the basics of hard sports.

Life and customs of the Caucasian peoples attract tourists to these beautiful lands. Cultural and ethnographic sights and museums are frequently visited objects. Local cuisine - this is a separate conversation, none of the tourists will not go home, not tasting a fragrant lamb skewers.

Privolzhsky District

These are the territories located near the Urals. Republic of Chuvash, Udmurt, Tatarstan, Mordovia, Mari El. In addition, Kirov, Nizhny Novgorod, Penza, Samara and Saratov regions are also part of the district. People live here a lot, in terms of tourism the area is very promising. Stunning mountainous areas, inexhaustible water resources, magnificent fishing and just relaxation in the bosom of nature - these prospects attract tourists and give opportunities for work to numerous tourist organizations.

The proximity of the Ural Mountains allows mountaineering, as well as groups of sports and adventure tourism. The district allows to find employment for everyone, including climbers of the highest category (they will be especially interesting in the Subpolar Urals).

The unique Komi forests have the status of a world natural heritage. While tourist routes here are undeveloped, although they have a great perspective.

Bashkortostan is a place of amazing beauty. It is difficult even to imagine that forty percent of the entire territory of the republic is occupied by forests, and besides them, there are more than 10 000 rivers, there are about 2500 lakes, ponds and reservoirs. Three reserves, two natural parks, more than one hundred nature monuments, many reserves for the protection of medicinal plants - all this makes it impossible to get acquainted with even one republic during the holiday. The European part of Russia is truly immense.

Let's sum up the results

We only casually touched the description of those riches that conceal these immense territories. The European part of Russia includes five districts, each of which consists of six to eighteen regions. The composition of the region can be several dozen cities, large and small.

Tourists can find here everything they want. Large cities and ancient archaeological sites, untouched forests of Siberia and the highest mountains ... Russia has always been famous for its water resources, here is really inexhaustible reserves of mother nature! Rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, small and fragile, powerful and majestic, fast mountain streams for extreme lovers or slowly bringing their waves Volga - anywhere in the world it is impossible to find such diversity. Not only the cities themselves, but the neighborhoods are radically different from each other.