Located in the far north-east and north of Eurasia, Russia is not only forced to bear the additional costs associated with the cold climate and long winters, but also has the opportunity to use its position to make a profit.
Long land borders are the main disadvantages of the geographical position of Russia
Occupying most of Eastern Europe, the entire north of Asia and stretching in eleven time zones from west to east, Russia has the largest territory among all existing states.
In addition, climatic features associated with a large variety of topography and a considerable length from north to south are of great importance for the entire structure of the state and the economic life of the country.
Proceeding from this, the main shortcomings of the geographical position of Russia include an extended land border, which requires constant vigilance. So, the southern borders of the country pass through inaccessible mountainous regions or open spaces of the steppes, which creates additional difficulties in their control. Indeed, smugglers, drug dealers and terrorists can easily penetrate open borders that are not marked by natural obstacles.
The difference in time and complexity of administration
A large number of time zones also creates significant difficulties in management, causing communication difficulties between government bodies and branches of private enterprises located in different parts of the country. In addition, this leads to problems in the personal communication of people.
The whole set of factors such as the difference in climate, time and the proximity to a large number of states makes significant differences in the patterns and living conditions of regions that are remote from each other. For example, a phenomenon is common when the inhabitants of the European part of Russia have never been to the Far East, and the inhabitants of Primorye have not been to the capital of the country.
Advantages of the geographical position of Russia
Although the great distances, extended infrastructure, and also the time difference create certain difficulties in managing and managing, in some cases they are beneficial. For example, Russia has access to the twelve seas through which it is connected to three oceans.
Through the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, it is possible to enter the Mediterranean Sea, where unique opportunities for economic activity open up in cooperation with the countries of the region, among which there are economically developed countries such as Italy, Israel and Turkey. Communication with Turkey, by the way, is traditionally carried out through the Black Sea.
The ports of the Kaliningrad Region and St. Petersburg open access to the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, where important trade routes are concentrated. And along the coast of the North Ocean of Russia, the important Northern Route passes, which during the navigation period can significantly reduce the time of movement of goods from Asia to Europe. Through the ports of the Far East, trade is carried out with the countries of the Pacific region.
The main disadvantages of Russia's geographical position are balanced by the richness of nature, large mineral reserves and access to the most significant world markets through the oceans.
Europe or Asia: economics at a crossroads
Geography itself - the geographical position of Russia - creates a situation where a country can choose the path of development and economic partners. Unfortunately, in this case, it is far from always possible to maintain a middle position, having mutually beneficial relations with all neighbors. Very often, economic interests are ignored and distortions occur in favor of political cooperation.
But we can safely say that the main disadvantages of the geographical position of Russia, in the case of competent management, can easily be converted into advantages.