siberian

Siberian refers to anything connected with Siberia, a vast region of northern Asia centered in Russia. Geographically, it extends from the Ural Mountains in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east and from the Arctic Ocean and Arctic Circle in the north to the borders with Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan in the south. Siberia encompasses taiga forests, vast plains, and tundra in its eastern reaches, with climates ranging from subarctic to continental. The population is sparse for such a large area, concentrated in a few major cities such as Novosibirsk, Omsk, Krasnoyarsk, and Irkutsk, and along river basins.

Historically, Siberia has been inhabited by a mosaic of Indigenous peoples and was gradually incorporated into the Russian state from the 16th century onward through exploration and expansion. The region today includes multiple federal subjects of Russia and hosts numerous ethnic groups, languages, and cultural traditions. Economically, Siberia is rich in natural resources—oil and gas, coal, minerals, and timber—while its urban centers support manufacturing, logistics, and research. The harsh climate and expansive distances influence settlement patterns, transportation, and infrastructure.

Usage of the term Siberian extends to cultural references as well as to animal breeds associated with the region. The Siberian Husky, a sled dog breed developed in Siberia for transportation in cold environments, is among the best-known examples. The term also appears in relation to wildlife such as the Siberian tiger, which inhabits parts of Siberia and the Russian Far East.