Natural resources of Western Siberia: table. Economy of Western Siberia

Western Siberia is a geographical area of ​​a vast region of Siberia. What characterizes the nature and natural resources of Western Siberia? How is the regional economy developing?

Geography

Before learning about the natural resources of Western Siberia, let's talk about its geographical borders. The region is located on the territory between the Yenisei River in the east and the Ural Mountains in the west. The bays of the Kara Sea define the border in the north, and the Altai Mountains and Kazakhstan in the south.

With an area of ​​2.5 million square kilometers, Western Siberia makes up almost 15% of the total territory of the state. Kemerovo, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Tomsk, Tyumen regions, the Altai Republic and Altai Territory - all this is Western Siberia. The natural resources of the region are an important part of the country's economy.

Most of the territory is located on the West Siberian Plain, within which there are two large depressions, separated by Siberian dams. In the southeastern part, foothill areas begin, going to the foot of the Altai Mountains.

Climatic conditions

The natural conditions and resources of Western Siberia are interconnected. The nature of some influences the formation of others. The region is located in the interior of the continent, so a continental climate has formed here. The proximity of the Arctic Ocean made it more rigid and severe. The mountains of the southeast prevent the penetration of warm and moist air masses from the Asian side.

Western Siberia is characterized by a cold winter period with a maximum temperature of -60 degrees. The soil here quickly freezes, contributing to the spread of permafrost. Summer is hot, especially in the south, the temperature can reach 30-35 degrees.

According to the peculiarities, steppe, forest-steppe, forest, forest-tundra and tundra zones were formed. The climatic natural resources of Western Siberia are quite suitable for agriculture. In the steppe regions there are enough warm days and precipitation, most of which falls in the summer, for growing grain and industrial crops.

Water resources

The hydrological natural resources of Western Siberia are represented by a variety of groundwater. The region is located in the region of the artesian basin; in different areas, the salinity of the water can differ significantly.

The main wealth is the river, there are about two thousand. The river network is sparse and varies depending on the features of the relief and climate. The largest are Ob, Yenisei, Irtysh. They are characterized by snow feeding in the spring, rain - in the fall and summer. Due to the flat terrain and small slopes, the river speed is usually low.

Of course, rivers are not all that Western Siberia possesses. Natural resources also comprise lakes, of which there are more than a million in the region, and swamps. By origin, thermokarst and moraine-glacial lakes are distinguished. The Ural part of the region is characterized by the presence of fog lakes. Their main feature is a sharp decrease in water level in the summer, up to a complete disappearance.

Forest resources

Natural zones from north to south smoothly flow one into another. In accordance with this, the natural resources of Western Siberia are also changing. In the southern regions, pines prevail due to the large amount of sand. In Altai, relict black taiga is widespread.

The forest-steppe is characterized by meadow, grass and cereal vegetation, birch and aspen. The forest zone stretches for 1000 kilometers. It combines taiga and marshy vegetation. Dark coniferous trees grow here, for example, Siberian spruce and pine, fir, as well as birch and aspen.

The forest-tundra zone is the border between the taiga and the tundra itself. Alternately there are marshy areas, light forests and shrubs in it. Forest plots are located mainly in river valleys. Mostly they are represented by larch. The tundra is characterized by the presence of mosses and lichens, shrubs, and low grasses. Here you can find blueberries, princess, cloudberries, dwarf species of willow and birch.

The soil

In the steppe and foothill regions of Western Siberia, chestnut soils and fertile chernozems are widespread, making it possible to use this area for growing various crops. In the south there are malods and salt licks.

Above the steppe regions are areas with podzolic and sod-podzolic soils. The forest zone is characterized by poor drainage of soils, which leads to the formation of swamps and new forests. In the wetlands, hemihydromorphic soils are formed, and in the floodplains of the rivers, alluvial soils are formed.

Tundra-gley and peaty areas are characteristic of the northern regions of Western Siberia. Soil fertility is strongly affected by permafrost. Unlike other, mainly wooded areas, gleying is not very pronounced.

Minerals

The basis of the region’s resource base is made up of minerals. Oil and gas production is what Western Siberia is famous for. Natural resources and the economy based on them are an important part of the country's overall economy. Six oil and gas regions are distinguished in the West Siberian territory. The largest oil fields are Priobskoye, Mamontovskoye, Samotlor. Gas fields are located in the Yamal-Nenets region.

In the southern part there is the largest coal deposit in the region. In Altai Territory, Kemerovo Region and Mountain Shoria there are deposits of magnetite ores. In Western Siberia, manganese ores, nepheline, and alumina are mined.

Altai Krai is rich in reserves of polymetallic, tungsten, molybdenum, iron, zirconium ores, gold, mercury, marble, and steppe lakes contain salt and soda. In the Kemerovo region are deposits of dolomites, limestone, refractory clays. Omsk region has reserves of titanium ores.

Natural resources of Western Siberia (table)

The region’s natural wealth has long been the basis for the development of various sectors of the economy (see table).

Natural resources and environmental safety of Western Siberia

The provision of the region with various resources is quite high. The length from north to south contributed to the formation of several natural zones that differ from each other in vegetation and soil cover, river regimes and the density of the river network, and climatic conditions.

Western Siberia has enormous industrial and agricultural potential. Fertile southern soils are excellent for growing crops. Grass-rich meadows serve as pastures, thanks to which animal husbandry develops. In industry, the most developed areas are oil, coal and gas production, as well as wood processing. The region produces more than 70% of all Russian oil.

The development of oil and gas and wood processing industries contributes to economic growth, but at the same time is the main factor in environmental pollution. The consequence of vigorous industrial activity is water pollution, which, in turn, leads to a lack of water resources.

The use of pesticides is also negatively affected. It is directly reflected in air and soil. Land is gradually becoming less suitable for farming. In addition, it is important to remember that excessive and incorrect extraction of natural resources can irrevocably reduce their reserves.