Settlement History
Pre- Slavic Settlements
During prehistoric times, Most of Russian regions were covered by ice caps until the end of Ice Ages. After the end of Ice Ages, Russia became suitable for living and many nomadic tribes migrated to steppes (Huge grassland) in southern Russia. This area was fertile and had perfect environment for farming and ranching. Thus, Scythians, Cimmerians, Huns, Avars and other nomadic tribes occupied southern Russia Since 1,000 BC. However, these nomadic tribes didn't form strong and settled society until Slavs came to Russia.
During prehistoric times, Most of Russian regions were covered by ice caps until the end of Ice Ages. After the end of Ice Ages, Russia became suitable for living and many nomadic tribes migrated to steppes (Huge grassland) in southern Russia. This area was fertile and had perfect environment for farming and ranching. Thus, Scythians, Cimmerians, Huns, Avars and other nomadic tribes occupied southern Russia Since 1,000 BC. However, these nomadic tribes didn't form strong and settled society until Slavs came to Russia.
* left is the Map of Kievan Rus, the first Russian Empire
Arrival of Slavs
- Slavs, ancestors of Russians, gradually migrated and settled in Western Russia. They slowly formed a firm, settled society there, assimilating with native tribes such as Finno-Ugric tribes. In 9th century, Slavs established the Slavic state called, Kievan Rus which is the first Russian Empire in history. Kievan Rus established the foundation of Russian culture and religion. Kievan Rus flourished until 11th century until Mongolians eliminated it.
Influx of Mongolians and Tatar population
- During 11th century, Mongolians invaded Kievan Rus, and dominated Russian Empire. Thus, during this period, a number of Mongolians to migrated to Russian territories. (However, recently, there are very few mongoloid population in Russia). Tatar is another ethnic group that inflowed during this period. Tatar tribe was part of Golden Horde,a Mongolian empire. Thus, when, Mongolians dominated Russia, a number of Tatar populations moved to Russia and settled in southern Russia, especially near Volga river area. Tatar is still second largest ethnic group in Russia.
Russian Kingdoms - Multiethnic state
- After the domination of Mongolian empire, Russians could set stable and settled society and established kingdom, Grand
Duchy of Moscow (later on becomes Tsardom of Russia). During this period, Russian empire expanded rapidly and conquered other countries. Thus, many Muslim tribes including Tatar and other ethnic groups merged into Russian empire. This made Russia to become multi-ethnic state.
Industrial Revolution and Soviet Union- Change of Settlement Pattern
- Industrial Revolution in 19th century changed the pattern of settlement of population tremendously. Because of urbanization, (which is led by Industrial Revolution) rural population ( migrated to western part of Russia. This caused very uneven population density in Russia. As you can see from the map, 3/4 of population settled in 1/4 of the country (western cities).
- Also, Formation of Soviet Union caused many Eastern European to immigrate to Russia. Many Eastern Europeans such as Ukrainian, Byelorussian, Armenian, etc migrated to Russia and became part of Russian population. Although Soviet Unions disintegrated to many countries, many of these Eastern Europeans still live in Russian main land.
* Currently, Russia contains about 160 different ethnic groups. However, 80% of population is Russian (Slavs)
*below is the ethnic group map of Russia in 2012 -2013 (source: www.mapofworld.com)
Population Analysis
Source of above image: http://populationpyramid.net/
- Soviet Union contained not only Russia but also many other Eastern European countries. After the disintegration of Soviet Union in 1991, Many of these Eastern countries that were used to be part of Russia became independent. Thus, a large population spread to Eastern Europe, causing considerable population decrease. in Russia. Since then, Russia has been suffering from population decline. The main factors of population decrease is low birth rate (12 births per 1000 people) and high death rate (Average Death Rate: 10 deaths per 1000 people, Russia: 14 deaths per 1000 people). (CIA The World Fact Book, 2013)
- There are many reasons for low birth rate. Firstly, in Russia, the ratio of male to female is about 4 to 6. This inequality of gender ratio causes decline of marriage which leads to decrease of birthrate. Secondly, a number of married women decide not to have children because of financial pressure. Since raising children requires vast amount of money, many Russian women hesitate to have children. Thirdly, Abortion rate is extremely high in Russia, because Russia is quite open to abortion. This encourage women to give up on their children, causing low birth rate.
(Life New Site,2005) (About.com 2006) (News Eastern Europe, 2013)
- High death rate is another big factor that causes population decrease. The most evident reason for high death rate is low life expectancy. Unlike other European countries, Russia has quite low life expectancy (69.85 years). High infant mortality rate, poor medical facilities and health care system, rise of alcoholism cause people to die faster which boosts the decrease in population
(CIA The World Fact Book,2013)
Other Statistics:
Population growth rate: -0.02%
Sex Ratio: 0.86 males/female
Life Expectancy: Total: 69.85 years, Male:64.04 years, Female:76.02 years
Literacy: 99.7%
Unemployment Rate: 5.7%
Population below poverty line: 12.7%
Religion:Russian Orthodox 15-20%, Muslim 10-15%, other Christian 2%
(CIA The World Fact Book,2013)
Bibliography:
1) Russian history – Russiapedia. (n.d.). Get Russianalized – Russiapedia. Retrieved September 10, 2013, from http://russiapedia.rt.com/russian-history/
2) Russia :: Settlement patterns -- Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.).Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved September 10, 2013, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/513251/Russia/38594/Settlement-patterns
3)HISTORY OF RUSSIA. (n.d.).HistoryWorld - History and Timelines. Retrieved September 29, 2013, from http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/plaintexthistories.asp?historyid=ac14
4)Mazurczak, F. (n.d.). New Eastern Europe - Averting a Demographic Nightmare in Russia and Eastern Europe. New Eastern Europe. Retrieved September 29, 2013, from http://www.neweasterneurope.eu/node/834
5) Rosenberg, M. (n.d.). Population Decline in Russia. Geography Home Page - Geography at About.com. Retrieved September 29, 2013, from http://geography.about.com/od/obtainpopulationdata/a/russiapop.htm
6) The World Fact Book. (n.d.). Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved September 30, 2013, from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
7)Russian Abortion Killing and Sterilizing Millions; Demographic Collapse Likely to be Worse than Prev | LifeSiteNews.com. (n.d.). LifeSiteNews.com. Retrieved September 30, 2013, from http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/archive//ldn/aug/05082404/
- There are many reasons for low birth rate. Firstly, in Russia, the ratio of male to female is about 4 to 6. This inequality of gender ratio causes decline of marriage which leads to decrease of birthrate. Secondly, a number of married women decide not to have children because of financial pressure. Since raising children requires vast amount of money, many Russian women hesitate to have children. Thirdly, Abortion rate is extremely high in Russia, because Russia is quite open to abortion. This encourage women to give up on their children, causing low birth rate.
(Life New Site,2005) (About.com 2006) (News Eastern Europe, 2013)
- High death rate is another big factor that causes population decrease. The most evident reason for high death rate is low life expectancy. Unlike other European countries, Russia has quite low life expectancy (69.85 years). High infant mortality rate, poor medical facilities and health care system, rise of alcoholism cause people to die faster which boosts the decrease in population
(CIA The World Fact Book,2013)
Other Statistics:
Population growth rate: -0.02%
Sex Ratio: 0.86 males/female
Life Expectancy: Total: 69.85 years, Male:64.04 years, Female:76.02 years
Literacy: 99.7%
Unemployment Rate: 5.7%
Population below poverty line: 12.7%
Religion:Russian Orthodox 15-20%, Muslim 10-15%, other Christian 2%
(CIA The World Fact Book,2013)
Bibliography:
1) Russian history – Russiapedia. (n.d.). Get Russianalized – Russiapedia. Retrieved September 10, 2013, from http://russiapedia.rt.com/russian-history/
2) Russia :: Settlement patterns -- Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.).Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved September 10, 2013, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/513251/Russia/38594/Settlement-patterns
3)HISTORY OF RUSSIA. (n.d.).HistoryWorld - History and Timelines. Retrieved September 29, 2013, from http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/plaintexthistories.asp?historyid=ac14
4)Mazurczak, F. (n.d.). New Eastern Europe - Averting a Demographic Nightmare in Russia and Eastern Europe. New Eastern Europe. Retrieved September 29, 2013, from http://www.neweasterneurope.eu/node/834
5) Rosenberg, M. (n.d.). Population Decline in Russia. Geography Home Page - Geography at About.com. Retrieved September 29, 2013, from http://geography.about.com/od/obtainpopulationdata/a/russiapop.htm
6) The World Fact Book. (n.d.). Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved September 30, 2013, from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
7)Russian Abortion Killing and Sterilizing Millions; Demographic Collapse Likely to be Worse than Prev | LifeSiteNews.com. (n.d.). LifeSiteNews.com. Retrieved September 30, 2013, from http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/archive//ldn/aug/05082404/