Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
The Russian Federation consists of several dozen territorial objects, including territories, republics and separate regions. Each has its own characteristics. Among them is an impressive area. For example, there are regions in Russia that are larger than some states. About such 'overall' and will be discussed further.
Top 10 largest regions of Russia: territorial giants
| Nomination | a place | Region | Area |
| Top 10 largest regions of Russia: territorial giants | 10 | Vologodskaya Oblast | 144,527 km2 (0.84% of RF) |
| 9 | Murmansk region | 144,902 km2 (0.85% of RF) | |
| 8 | Novosibirsk region | 177,756 km2 (1.04% of RF) | |
| 7 | Sverdlovsk region | 194,307 km2 (1.14% of RF) | |
| 6 | Tomsk region | 314 391 km2 (1.84% of RF) | |
| 5 | Amur region | 361,908 km2 (2.11% of RF) | |
| 4 | Magadan Region | 462 464 km2 (2.7% of the RF) | |
| 3 | Arkhangelsk region (with NAO) | 589,913 km2 (3.44% of RF) | |
| 2 | Irkutsk region | 774 846 km2 (4.52% of the RF) | |
| 1 | Tyumen region (with JSC) | 1,464,173 km2 (8.55% of RF) |
Vologodskaya Oblast
Rating: 4.1
Area: 144527 km2 (0.84% of RF)
The residence of Ded Moroz (Veliky Ustyug) and the location of one of the two rivers of the planet, which change their direction depending on the time of year – the Vologda region opens our rating. The capital of the region – Vologda – was the first city of the Russian Empire, in which a public bank and pawnshop appeared.
The region is the country's leader in terms of the share of the Russian population living on its territory – 96.56% and one of the most famous in terms of the number of monuments of wooden architecture. One of the oldest cities in Russia, Belozersk, founded in 862 is located in this region.
In addition, the Vologda Territory is considered one of the few that has managed to preserve the ethnic monuments of the Russian people from various stages of its history to this day. It should also be noted that the region is the homeland of many Russian athletes who have gained fame for domestic sports in international arenas.
Murmansk region
Rating: 4.2
Area: 144902 km2 (0.85% of the RF)
One of the most densely populated regions of Russia, 2/3 of which is represented by the Kola Peninsula. On its territory there is also a unique in its composition Baltic crystal shield – a real treasure of the country (for example, half of the lithium reserves are concentrated here, and aluminum reserves are practically unlimited). Some elements of the deposit are not found anywhere else on the planet.
The Murmansk region is rich in lakes – there are as many as 10,000 of them. If you stretch them in one line, it can go around the entire globe. But the fauna, unfortunately, is not happy with its diversity and abundance, which, however, is not surprising for the Far North. For example, out of 326 animals living on the territory of Russia, only 32 species are found in the Murmansk region.
A unique scientific facility is located here – the Kola superdeep well, which was part of a whole system of similar ones in the Soviet Union. In 1997, she entered the Guinness Book of Records as the deepest dive into the earth's crust (more than 12 km). Today it is, rather, a tribute to the memory of a unique scientific past – it does not function.
Novosibirsk region
Rating: 4.3
Area: 177756 km2 (1.04% of RF)
The region was formed back in 1938 and today it has one of the most non-standard economies in the country: about 60% of the GRP (gross regional product) is accounted for by the service sector. This is despite the fact that the region has more than 500 large mineral deposits. For example, the region's peat reserves are estimated at more than 7 billion tons, but the costs of extracting it are so high that development is not even being carried out.
The region is valued for its significant reserves of underground waters (fresh, mineral), as well as an impressive amount of wood from forest-forming species. In recent years, the food industry and mechanical engineering have been on the rise. The military-industrial complex is well developed. The only tin smelting plant in Russia operates on the territory of the region.
Sverdlovsk region
Rating: 4.4
Area: 194307 km2 (1.14% of the RF)
Once the region was part of one of the most ancient regions (the Ural Federal District), founded during the time of the empire – in 1732. The administrative center is one of the largest cities in the country – Yekaterinburg.
The Sverdlovsk region is considered the most densely populated in Russia and one of the richest in useful mineral resources: there are many deposits of gold, platinum, chromium, copper, nickel, asbestos, etc. The largest chemical plant in the country, Uralchimplast, is also located here. It is not in vain that it is called the “supporting land”, because the industry here is developing at a colossal pace.
An interesting fact: during the Soviet era, the region was closed to foreigners (as an exception, one can name Fidel Castro, who visited the region in 1963 as part of his tour, Indira Gandhi with her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, and the Vietnamese president, Ho Chi Minh). Only after the collapse of the USSR in 1993, the Sverdlovsk Region opened its doors to foreign guests.
The region is rightfully called 'multi-colored': the only one in Russia and one of the three large emerald deposits existing in the world is located here. But the famous malachite in the Urals is no longer mined: it turned out to be cheaper to import a patterned mineral from Africa.
Tomsk region
Rating: 4.5
Area: 314391 km2 (1.84% of RF)
A very non-standard area in terms of natural features: more than 60% of its area is covered with dense forests, and about 30% is occupied by swamps – the swampy system of the area is considered one of the largest in the world. Founded a year before the end of the Great Patriotic War, the region ranks 6th in the country in terms of area, and is comparable in size to Poland.
The territory of the region is rich in natural resources, including huge oil reserves, the country's largest deposits of coal, peat (2nd place in the country), as well as various metals. It is here that the largest iron ore deposit on the planet (Bakcharskoye) is located. It is noteworthy that it was discovered completely by accident only 50 years ago.
An interesting fact: at the beginning of the 20th century on the territory of the Tomsk province (at that time) there were 2 times more people than at the beginning of the 21st century. It was only in the 1970s that a gradual movement towards an increase in population began.
Amur region
Rating: 4.6
Area: 361,908 km2 (2.11% of RF)
The former part of the Khabarovsk Territory, now the Amur Region is absolutely independent. One of the most powerful and largest gas processing plants in the world is being built here. The region is rich in minerals and boasts colossal timber reserves. The area pleases with a pleasant, surprisingly for the eastern region, climate – it is moderate and little snow.
The area is rich in dense forests, and the abundance of rainfall has allowed the region to become one of the leaders in agriculture. Unfortunately, the abundance of impressive green areas played a somewhat cruel joke on the region: close trade relations with China contributed to excessive deforestation, which affected the ecological situation in the region.
Magadan Region
Rating: 4.7
Area: 462,464 km2 (2.7% of RF)
One of the largest regions of Russia, where the most 'inhospitable' weather reigns. And this is not surprising, the entire territory of the region belongs to the Far North – long live permafrost. But this is not the only thing that makes it stand out: here are some of the largest deposits of gold, silver and tungsten in the country, as well as the largest primary diamond deposit in Europe.
The Magadan region is the birthplace of a famous historical figure – the first natural scientist of Russia, Mikhail Lomonosov, was born and raised here. The leader of the peasant uprising of 1670-1671, Stepan Razin, visited the region on a pilgrimage to a local monastery.
Arkhangelsk region (with NAO)
Rating: 4.8
Area: 589,913 km2 (3.44% of RF)
The region opens our three leaders with an area of almost 590 thousand km2. According to this indicator, the Arkhangelsk region is comparable to Spain or France and is considered the largest among the existing provinces in Europe. The predominant part of its territory belongs to the Far North, and the weather conditions are rather unstable: with long winters and a constant change of air masses.
It is in the Arkhangelsk region that the northernmost point of the country and Europe is located – Cape Fligeli, and the extreme eastern point of Europe – Cape Flissing. The region boasts a large number of lakes – there are about 2.5 thousand of them, and the collection of algae, including valuable ones – kelp, is developed in the White Sea.
The Arkhangelsk Territory is the center of the country's nuclear shipbuilding and in its development relies more on industry than on agriculture, although it is actively developing: it was here that the most productive breed of cattle was bred.
The region has a diamondiferous province – the only one in Europe. About 1/5 of all Russia's diamond reserves are concentrated here.
Irkutsk region
Rating: 4.9
Area: 774,846 km2 (4.52% of the RF)
It occupies the second line of our rating and with an area of almost 775 thousand km2 is almost comparable to Turkey. The region is home to about 2.5 million people. A couple of years ago, the region celebrated its 80th anniversary, and the regional capital (Irkutsk) boasts a much more ancient history – the city was founded as a fortress about 350 years ago. By the way, the inhabitants of Irkutsk themselves consider their city the geographical center of the country.
Although part of the territory is located in a seismically active zone, in its entire history not a single person died from earthquakes. The Irkutsk Region is an important supplier of oil products, coal and timber, and there is also the legendary Lake Baikal – the largest among the world's fresh water bodies.
Irkutsk Oblast is the “think tank” of the East of Russia – it has a powerful scientific potential: it is here that the largest number of academic institutions are located, and about 5,000 people are employed in the scientific industry, a third of whom have advanced degrees.
Tyumen region (with JSC)
Rating: 5.0
Area: 1,464,173 km2 (8.55% of the RF)
The Tyumen region is rightfully considered the most impressive in terms of its territory among the Russian regions. It is so large that it is comparable in area with several European countries taken together: Britain, Germany, France, Italy. Just imagine: the region has stretched its territory from the Arctic Ocean to Kazakhstan.
Almost the entire territory belongs to the Far North, and the capital of the region is considered the first Russian city in Siberia. The Tyumen region is a real nugget of Russia, because it is here that the main gas and oil deposits of the country are concentrated. In addition, the region has been holding the palm for several years in terms of the level of development and quality of life of the population: the region was able to overtake even the capital in this indicator. According to one of the most influential consulting companies in the world (McKinsey & Company), by 2025 the capital of the region – Tyumen – will be included in the rating of 600 leading cities on the planet.
By the way, the Tyumen region is the birthplace of the famous and colorful tsarist favorite – Grigory Rasputin and no less famous innovator in chemistry – Dmitry Mendeleev.
Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
