Siberias

Siberias, more commonly known as Siberia, is a vast geographic region in northern Asia, largely within Russia. It extends from the Ural Mountains in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east, and from the Arctic north to the borders with Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan in the south. Estimates place its area at about 9 million square kilometers, accounting for a large portion of Russia’s land area. The form "Siberias" appears in some historical or regional usages, but the standard term is Siberia.

Geography and climate: The landscape encompasses extensive taiga forests, tundra in the north, river basins, and mountain zones. It is characterized by a highly continental climate with long, bitter winters and short, warm summers; vast areas feature permafrost. Major rivers include the Ob, Yenisei, and Lena.

Population and economy: The region has a low population density, with major cities such as Novosibirsk, Omsk, Krasnoyarsk, and Irkutsk acting as regional hubs. Indigenous groups include Evenki, Buryats, Yakuts, and Nenets. The economy is driven by natural resources—oil and gas, coal, metals, and timber—along with hydroelectric power. The Trans-Siberian Railway links the region with European Russia and the Far East.

History and environment: Exploration and consolidation by Russia began in the 16th century, accelerating with rail and industrial development in the 19th and 20th centuries. The environment includes sensitive ecosystems and Lake Baikal, a major freshwater resource. Environmental challenges include deforestation, mining impacts, and climate change, which stimulate conservation and remediation efforts.