More than a third of the total area of Russia is occupied by the Far Eastern District. Its territory is poorly populated lands with rather severe climatic conditions, which are significantly removed from large megacities and developed industrial regions.
Far Eastern District - Russian Territory
This territorial entity is located in the extreme east of the country and has wide access to the oceans. Do not confuse it with the Far East (geographical area), these are completely different concepts.
The Far Eastern Federal District of the Russian Federation is the absolute leader in size. It occupies about 36% of the total area of the country. At the same time, only 6 million people live here. The district was formed by the relevant decree of the President in 2000 (on the map its borders are highlighted in red).
The Far Eastern District is extremely rich in natural resources. This is a region with a unique and almost untouched flora and fauna. It produces oil and gas, diamonds and antimony, silver and tin. The richest deposits of mineral resources make it possible to develop the fuel industry, non-ferrous metallurgy, as well as electricity.
The region has enormous forest resources. About one third of the national timber reserves are in this particular district.
The composition of the Far Eastern District and the largest cities
There are 66 cities within the county. The largest of them are Khabarovsk (administrative center), Vladivostok and Yakutsk. But in none of them does the population exceed one million people.
The Far Eastern District consists of nine constituent entities of the Russian Federation. A complete list, as well as data on their population are given in the table:
Name of the subject of the Russian Federation | Population (thousand people) |
Primorsky Krai | 1929 |
Khabarovsk region | 1335 |
The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) | 960 |
Amurskaya Oblast | 806 |
Sakhalin Oblast | 487 |
Kamchatka Krai | 317 |
Jewish Autonomous Region | 166 |
Magadan Region | 146 |
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug | fifty |
The economy and population of the district
The district takes the last place in Russia in terms of population density (1 person / sq. Km.). It should be noted that the number of residents of the Far Eastern District over the past 20 years has decreased by almost 20%. The main reason for the reduction in the region’s population is migration.
The ethnic structure of the district is quite motley and diverse. The most numerous nation here are Russians (about 78%). They are followed by the Yakuts (7.5%). There are quite a lot of Ukrainians, Belarusians, Uzbeks, Koreans and Tatars in this region. Most of the population lives in cities.
Almost all of the region’s economic indicators have been growing since 2000. The basis of the economy of this region is mining, forestry, electricity and the production of building materials. Farms traditional for the Far East are also developing here: fishing, reindeer husbandry and hunting.
The Far Eastern District, in view of its special geographical location, cooperates quite closely with some Asian countries (North and South Korea, China and Japan).
Tourist potential of the Far Eastern District
This region has huge tourism potential, which is attractive primarily for foreigners. But most Russians, probably, do not fully realize how interesting and diverse this land is: in the natural, ethnocultural and landscape aspects.
The most impressive tourists and travelers are Kamchatka. There certainly is something to be surprised and amazed at! Majestic hills, mud volcanoes, famous hot springs, virgin tundra and pristine lakes - all this can be seen on this fabulous peninsula.
Other regions of the Far Eastern District are no less interesting. So, in the Primorsky Territory you can admire the grandiose gorges and waterfalls, in Yakutia - to rafting along one of the rapids and cold rivers, and in Chukotka - to make an unforgettable "safari" on dog teams.