The state border of the Russian Federation on the sea runs along. Maritime borders of Russia

Abstract keywords: territory and borders of Russia, territory and water area, sea and land borders, economic and geographical position.

Russian borders

The total length of the borders is 58.6 thousand km, of which 14.3 thousand km are land, and 44.3 thousand km are sea. The maritime borders are 12 nautical miles(22.7 km) from the coast, and the border of the maritime economic zone - in 200 nautical miles(about 370 km).

On west The country borders on Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Belarus. The Kaliningrad region has a border with Lithuania and Poland. In the southwest, Russia borders on Ukraine; on South– with Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China and North Korea. Russia has the longest (7200 km) land border with Kazakhstan. On east- maritime borders with Japan and the United States. On north the borders of the Russian sector of the Arctic are drawn along the meridians of Ratmanov Island and the extreme northern point of the land border with Norway to the North Pole.

The largest islands in Russia are Novaya Zemlya, Sakhalin, Novosibirsk, Severnaya Zemlya, Franz Josef Land.

The largest peninsulas of Russia are Taimyr, Kamchatka, Yamal, Gdansk, Kola.

Description of the border of the Russian Federation

The northern and eastern borders are maritime, while the western and southern borders are predominantly land. The large length of the state borders of Russia is determined by the size of its territory and the outlines of the coastlines.

Western border begins on the coast of the Barents Sea from the Varangerfjord and passes first through the hilly tundra, then along the valley of the Paz River. In this section, Russia borders on Norway. Russia's next neighbor is Finland. The border goes along the Maanselkä upland, through a heavily swampy area, along the slope of the low Salpausselkä ridge, and 160 km southwest of Vyborg comes to the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea. In the extreme west, on the shores of the Baltic Sea and its Gdansk Bay, is the Kaliningrad region of Russia, which borders Poland and Lithuania. Most of the region's border with Lithuania runs along the Neman (Nemunas) and its tributary, the Sheshup River.

From the Gulf of Finland, the border goes along the Narva River, Lake Peipsi and Pskov and further mainly along low plains, crossing more or less significant uplands (Vitebsk, Smolensk-Moscow, southern spurs of the Central Russian, Donetsk Ridge) and rivers (upper Zapadnaya Dvina, Dnieper, Desna and Seima, Seversky Donets and Oskol), sometimes along secondary river valleys and small lakes, through wooded hilly spaces, ravine-beam forest-steppe and steppe, mostly plowed, expanses to the Taganrog Bay of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov.

Here, Russia's neighbors for over 1000 km are Estonia, Latvia, Belarus and Ukraine.

Border of the Republic of Crimea. Russia considers most of the Crimean peninsula an integral part of its territory. In accordance with the results of the all-Crimean referendum held on March 16, 2014, on March 18, 2014, the Treaty on the entry of the Republic of Crimea into the Russian Federation was signed. Ukraine considers Crimea "temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine."

The border of the Republic of Crimea on land, conjugated with the territory of Ukraine, is the state border of the Russian Federation. The delimitation of the maritime spaces of the Black and Azov Seas is carried out on the basis of international treaties of the Russian Federation, norms and principles of international law.

southern border passes through the territorial waters of the Black Sea to the mouth of the Psou River. The land border with Georgia and Azerbaijan passes here: along the Psou valley, then mainly along the Main Caucasian Range, passing to the Side Range in the area between the Roki and Kodori passes, then again goes along the Dividing Range to Mount Bazardyuzyu, from where it turns north to the Samur River, along the valley which reaches the Caspian Sea. Thus, in the region of the Greater Caucasus, the border of Russia is clearly fixed by natural, natural boundaries, steep high mountain slopes. The length of the border in the Caucasus is more than 1000 km.

Further, the border of Russia passes through the waters of the Caspian Sea, from the coast of which, near the eastern margin of the Volga delta, the land border of Russia with Kazakhstan begins. It passes through the deserts and dry steppes of the Caspian lowland, in the junction of Mugodzhar with the Urals, through the southern steppe part of Western Siberia and through the Altai mountains. Russia's border with Kazakhstan is the longest (over 7,500 km), but almost not fixed by natural boundaries. On the territory of the Kulunda Plain, at a distance of about 450 km, the border runs from northwest to southeast almost in a straight line, parallel to the direction of the Irtysh. True, about 1500 km of the border runs along the rivers Maly Uzen (Caspian), Ural and its left tributary Ilek, along the Tobol and along its left tributary - the Uy River (the longest river border with Kazakhstan), as well as along a number of smaller tributaries of the Tobol.

Eastern part of the border- in Altai - orographically distinctly expressed. It runs along the ridges separating the Katun basin from the Bukhtarma basin - the right tributary of the Irtysh (Koksuysky, Kholzunsky, Listvyaga, in short stretches - Katunsky and Southern Altai).

Almost the entire border of Russia from Altai to the Pacific Ocean runs along the mountain belt. In the junction of the Southern Altai, Mongolian Altai and Sailyugem ranges, there is a mountain junction Tavan-Bogdo-Ula (4082 m). The borders of three states converge here: China, Mongolia and Russia. The length of the Russian border with China and Mongolia is 100 km longer than the Russian-Kazakh border.

The border runs along the Saylyugem ridge, the northern outskirts of the Ubsunur basin, the mountain ranges of Tuva, the Eastern Sayan (Big Sayan) and Transbaikalia (Dzhidinsky, Erman, etc.). Then it goes along the rivers Argun, Amur, Ussuri and its left tributary - the Sungach River. More than 80% of the Russian-Chinese border runs along rivers. The state border crosses the northern part of the water area of ​​Lake Khanka, runs along the Pogranichny and Chernye Gory ridges. In the extreme south, Russia borders on the DPRK along the Tumannaya River (Tumynjiang). The length of this border is only 17 km. Along the river valley, the Russian-Korean border goes to the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan to the south of Posyet Bay.

Eastern border of Russia passes through the water expanses of the Pacific Ocean and its seas - the Sea of ​​Japan, the Sea of ​​Okhotsk and the Bering Sea. Here Russia borders on Japan and the United States. The border runs along more or less wide sea straits: with Japan - along the Laperouse, Kunashirsky, Treason and Sovetsky straits, separating the Russian islands of Sakhalin, Kunashir and Tanfilyev (Small Kuril Ridge) from the Japanese island of Hokkaido; with the United States of America in the Bering Strait, where the Diomede Islands group is located. It is here that the state border between Russia and the United States passes along the narrow (5 km) strait between the Russian island of Ratmanov and the American island of Krusenstern.

northern border goes through the seas of the Arctic Ocean.

water area

Twelve seas three oceans wash the shores of Russia. One sea belongs to the inner drainless basin of Eurasia. The seas are located in different latitudes and climatic zones, differ in origin, geological structure, the size of sea basins and bottom topography, as well as the temperature and salinity of sea waters, biological productivity and other natural features.

Table. The seas surrounding the area
Russia and their characteristics.

This is a synopsis on the topic. "Territory and borders of Russia". Choose next steps:

• Go to the next abstract:

The Russian Federation is the largest state on the planet by area. It occupies more than 30% of the Eurasian continent.

Dear readers! The article talks about typical ways to solve legal issues, but each case is individual. If you want to know how solve exactly your problem- contact a consultant:

APPLICATIONS AND CALLS ARE ACCEPTED 24/7 and 7 days a week.

It's fast and FOR FREE!

The record holder is also in terms of the number of neighboring countries, of which there are 18, taking into account the partially recognized republics. The Russian border passes with other states, both by land and by sea.

Main Terms

The state border is a line that defines the spatial limit of the sovereignty of a particular country.

In fact, it is she who determines the territory of the country, its airspace, bowels and land.

The state border plays a huge role for any country. It is within this line that the laws of a particular state operate, its rights to mining, fishing, etc. are established.

There are two main types of state borders and one additional:

The emergence of state borders occurred along with the emergence of the states themselves.

In the modern world, most states control the crossing of their territories and allow this to be done only through specialized checkpoints.

Only the state borders of some countries can be crossed freely (for example, countries participating in the Schengen Agreement).

The Russian Federation protects them with the help of units of the Border Service of the Federal Security Service of Russia, as well as the RF Armed Forces (air defense and navy units).

Total length

Before dealing with the question of what the land and sea borders of Russia are, it is imperative to determine their total length.

It should be borne in mind that in most sources it is given without taking into account the territories that appeared in the Russian Federation after Crimea became part of it in 2014.

According to the Federal Security Service of Russia, the total length, taking into account those that arose after the annexation of Crimea, is 61,667 km, until that moment their length was 60,932 km.

Fact. The length of Russia's borders is greater than the length of the equator.

How much by sea

The northern ones completely fall on the seas of the Arctic Ocean. In total, it accounts for 19,724.1 km. Another 16,997.9 km make up the boundaries of the Pacific Ocean.

Comment. It is important to correctly define the maritime boundary. It is located at a distance of 12 nautical miles. The exclusive economic zone is 200 nautical miles.

On this territory, Russia cannot prohibit other countries from free navigation, but has the sole right to engage in fishing, mining, etc.

Navigation on the seas of the Arctic Ocean is a rather difficult task. They are under drifting ice all year round.

In fact, only nuclear-powered icebreakers are capable of sailing in these waters. With the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the situation with navigation is much simpler.

By land area

Russia's borders directly on land are 14,526.5 km long. But you should know that the land also includes river and lake.

Their length in Russia is another 7775.5 km. The longest land border is the Russian-Kazakhstani one.

With which countries

Russia is not only the largest country with a huge length of borders, it is also the leader in the number of neighboring countries.

In total, the Russian Federation recognizes the existence of borders with 18 states, including 2 partially recognized republics - Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Comment. The world community considers Abkhazia and South Ossetia part of Georgia. Because of this, the state borders of Russia with them are also not recognized.

The Russian Federation considers these regions to be completely separate independent states.

Here is a complete list of states with which the Russian Federation has a state border:

• Norway;
• Finland;
• Estonia;
• Latvia;
• Lithuania;
• Poland;
• Belarus;
• Ukraine;
• Abkhazia;
• Georgia;
• South Ossetia;
• Azerbaijan;
• Kazakhstan;
• Mongolia;
• China (PRC);
• North Korea;
• Japan;

Japan and the United States of America have no land borders with the Russian Federation, but only maritime ones.

From the United States, they pass through the Bering Strait and are only 49 km. The length of the Russian-Japanese is also not great - 194.3 km.

The border between Russia and Kazakhstan is the longest. It stretches for 7598.6 km, and its marine part accounts for only 85.8 km.

Another 1516.7 km is the river Russian-Kazakh border, 60 km is the lake border.

Directly on its land part accounts for 5936.1 km. Russia has the shortest border with North Korea. Its length is only less than 40 km.

The land border with China, which is 4209.3 km long, deserves special attention.

It is directly land only for 650.3 km. And most of the Russian-Chinese passes along the rivers - 3489 km.

Territorial disputes

The Russian Federation is trying to peacefully resolve issues regarding borders with its neighbors, and most of the territorial disputes that arose after the collapse of the USSR and even during its existence have been resolved over the past 28 years. However, such questions cannot be completely avoided.

Russia currently has active territorial disputes with the following countries:

• Japan;
• Ukraine.

The territorial dispute with Japan arose during the existence of the Soviet Union, in fact, immediately after the end of the Second World War and the attempts of countries to begin peaceful coexistence.

It concerns exclusively the southern Kuril Islands (in Japan - the "northern territories").

Japan insists on their transfer to her and denies the establishment of the sovereignty of the USSR over them following the results of the Second World War.

The presence of a territorial dispute with Japan led to the fact that the USSR, and later Russia, could not agree with this state on signing a peace treaty.

At different times, many attempts were made to resolve the disputed territorial issue, but all of them did not lead to results.

But negotiations between the states continue and the issue is resolved exclusively within their framework.

The territorial dispute between Russia and Ukraine arose quite recently, after the entry of Crimea into the Russian Federation.

The new Ukrainian authorities refused to recognize the referendum held on the peninsula and declared the territory that had passed to Russia "temporarily occupied."

Many Western countries have taken a similar position. As a result, the Russian Federation fell under a variety of sanctions.

The border between Crimea and Ukraine was established by the Russian side unilaterally.

In April 2014, after the accession of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol to the Russian Federation.

Ukraine, in response, declared a free economic zone in the region and established appropriate customs rules.

Although there was no military conflict over the territorial affiliation of Crimea, relations between the Russian Federation and Ukraine became extremely tense.

The latter made various attempts to destabilize the situation in the region. The world community also practically did not recognize the annexation of Crimea to Russia.

With the following countries, territorial disputes were resolved during negotiations already in the history of modern Russia:

In most cases, the settlement of the issue of disputed territories takes place through negotiations.

All parties, including Russia, are making great efforts to this end. But sometimes such questions are raised again, and all agreements have to be started anew.

Russia is the largest country on the entire globe. Its area reaches 17.1 million square meters. The state is located on the Eurasian continent. Russia has a large length from west to east, so there is a significant difference in time in its regions.

The customs, economic and other borders of Russia have been moved beyond the boundaries of the former USSR, which in itself is a unique phenomenon. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, all CIS countries faced a serious problem. On the one hand, the inconsistency of the legislative and financial systems forced them to close the economic space, but at the same time, the new border lines of the states did not coincide with ethnic cultural borders, and society did not want to recognize the border restrictions introduced, and most importantly, Russia did not have the opportunity to carry out demarcation and equip engineering and technical facilities. Also a big problem was the establishment of customs points.

Description of the borders of the state

The length of the borders of the Russian Federation reaches 60 thousand kilometers, of which 40 thousand km are sea borders. The economic maritime space of the country is located 370 kilometers from the coastal zone. Here may be the courts of other states for the extraction of natural resources. The western and southern borders of the Russian Federation are mainly land, the northern and eastern borders are predominantly maritime. The fact that the state borders of Russia are so long is explained by the huge size of its territory and the uneven outlines of the lines of the sea coasts of the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic oceans, which wash it from three sides.

Land borders of Russia

In the west and east of the country, land borders have a number of characteristic differences. In pre-revolutionary Russia, they were marked by natural boundaries. As the state expanded, it was necessary to somehow fix the boundaries of the seas and land. At the same time, in sparsely populated areas, for greater recognition, they should be clearly marked - it can be a mountain range, a river, and so on. But this character of the terrain is observed mainly on the eastern side of the southern border.

Western and southwestern land borders of the state

The modern lines of the western and southwestern borders of Russia arose as a result of the division of individual subjects on the territory of the country. For the most part, these are administrative boundaries that were previously intrastate. They turned out to be practically unrelated to natural objects. So the borders of Russia with Poland and Finland were formed.

Russia's land borders are also long. After the collapse of the union, the number of neighbors remained the same. There are fourteen of them in total. With Japan and the United States, the Russian Federation has only maritime borders. But in the days of the USSR, the country bordered on only eight states, the rest of the lines between the states were considered internal and were of a conditional nature. In the northwest, the borders of the Russian Federation are in contact with Finland and Norway.

Russia's borders with Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia have already officially received the status of state borders. Along the western and southwestern borders are Ukraine and Belarus. The southern part of the country borders on Georgia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the republics of Tuva, Altai, Buryatia. In the extreme southeast, the Primorsky Territory of the Russian Federation borders on the DPRK. The length of the border line is only 17 km.

Northern border of the country

Russia's maritime border in the north and east of the country is 12 miles from the coastline. By sea, the Russian Federation borders on 12 states. The northern borders run along the waters of the Arctic Ocean - these are the Kara, Laptev, Barents, East Siberian and Chukchi seas. Within the Arctic Ocean, from the Russian coast to the very North Pole, there is a sector of the Arctic. It is limited by conditional lines from the west and east of Ratmanov Island to the North Pole. Polar possessions are a relative concept, and the territorial waters of this sector do not belong to Russia, we can only talk about belonging to the Arctic waters.

Eastern Russian border

The maritime border of Russia from its eastern part runs along the waters of the Pacific Ocean. On this side, the country's closest neighbors are the United States and Japan. The Russian Federation borders with Japan in the La Perouse Strait, and in the Bering Strait - with the United States (between Ratmanov Island, which is Russian, and Kruzenshtern, owned by the States). The Bering Sea is located between the peninsulas of Chukotka, Alaska, Kamchatka and the Aleutian Islands. Between the peninsulas of Kamchatka, the islands of Hokkaido, the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin is the Sea of ​​Okhotsk.

The southern shores of Sakhalin and Primorsky Krai are washed by the Sea of ​​Japan. All the seas of the Far East, with which Russia has a maritime border, are partially frozen. Moreover, Okhotsk, even taking into account the fact that part of it lies in the southern parallel, is the most severe in this regard. In its northwestern part, the duration of the ice period is 280 days a year. Due to the large length of the seas along the eastern line of Russia from north to south, the climatic conditions in the country vary significantly.

In the summer, typhoons enter the waters of the Sea of ​​Japan, which are fraught with great destruction. On the coast of the Pacific Ocean in its seismically active zones, catastrophic tsunamis occur as a result of coastal and underwater earthquakes.

Problems of Russia's Eastern Border

The maritime borders of Russia and the United States are now marked, but earlier there were border problems. The Russian Empire sold Alaska in 1867 for seven million dollars. There are certain difficulties in determining the borders of states in the Bering Strait. Russia also has problems with Japan, which disputes the islands of the Lesser Kuril Ridge, the total area of ​​​​which is 8548.96 square meters. km. The dispute arose over the state water area and territory of the Russian Federation with an area of ​​​​300,000 square kilometers, including the economic zone of the sea and islands, which is rich in seafood and fish, and the shelf zone, which has oil reserves.

In 1855, an agreement was concluded, according to which the islands of the Lesser Kuril Ridge were retained by Japan. In 1875, all the Kuril Islands pass to Japan. In 1905, as a result of the Russo-Japanese War, the Treaty of Portsmouth was concluded, and Russia ceded South Sakhalin to Japan. In 1945, when Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands became part of the USSR, but their nationality was not defined in the 1951 agreement (San Francisco). The Japanese side claimed that they were part of Japan, and they had nothing to do with the treaty of 1875, since they were not part of the Kuril ridge, but belonged to, and therefore the treaty signed in San Francisco did not apply to them.

Western border of the state

The western maritime border of Russia connects the country with many European states. It passes through the waters of the Baltic Sea, which belongs to the Atlantic Ocean and forms bays off the coast of the Russian Federation. They host Russian ports. The northern capital of Russia - St. Petersburg - and Vyborg are located in the Gulf of Finland. Kaliningrad is located on the Prelog River, which flows into the Vistula Lagoon. A large Novoluzhsky port is being built at the mouth of the Luga River. does not freeze only off the coast of the Kaliningrad region. This sea border of Russia on the map links the country (through the sea) with states such as Poland, Germany and Sweden.

southwestern border

The southwestern part of Russia is washed by the waters of the Azov, Caspian and Black Seas. The maritime borders of the Black Sea give Russia access to the Mediterranean. The port of Novorossiysk stands on the shores of the Tsemess Bay. In the Taganrog Bay - the port of Taganrog. One of the best bays is located in the city of Sevastopol. The Azov and Black Seas are of great importance for Russia's transport links with the countries of foreign Europe and the Mediterranean. Also, the sea borders of the Russian Federation are in contact with Georgia and Ukraine. In the south, along the waters of the Caspian Sea, there is a border with Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Consequently, the borders of the Russian Federation to a greater extent pass along natural boundaries: mountains, seas and rivers. Because of some of them, international contacts are complicated (high mountains, glaciers on the sea, and so on). Others, on the contrary, are favorable for cooperation with neighbors and allow laying river and land international routes and creating an economic space.

Extreme points of Russia

In the northern part, the extreme point is Cape Chelyuskin, which is located on the extreme island point, which is located on one of the islands of the Franz Josef-Rudolf archipelago. The extreme southern point is the crest of the Caucasus Range, the western one is the end of the Sandy Spit of the Baltic Sea, the eastern one is Cape Dezhnev on the Chukotka Peninsula.

Features of the geographical location of Russia

Most of the country is located in temperate latitudes, but its northern part is located in the harsh conditions of the Arctic. is rich in a variety of natural resources, which are available in large quantities. The country occupies a leading position in the world in terms of size and area of ​​land resources. The area of ​​Russian forests reaches seven hundred million hectares.

The huge size of the country is very important both from an economic point of view and from a defense one. The territory of the Russian Federation has the largest plains on the planet. These are the West Siberian and Russian (East European) plains. The air masses of the Arctic Ocean influence the northern spaces of the country. The territory of Russia is rich in various kinds of minerals and minerals. It is here that approximately 40% of the world's iron ore reserves are concentrated. The main region of deposits and rich reserves of copper ores is considered to be the Urals and the Ural region. Here, in the Middle Urals, there are deposits of precious stones such as emerald, ruby, amethyst. And another interesting feature of the country is that it is located in all geographical areas of the northern hemisphere, with the exception of the tropics.

In the northeastern part of Eurasia is a country that occupies 31.5 percent of its territory - Russia. She has a huge number of sovereign neighbors. Today, Russia's borders are impressively long.

The Russian Federation is unique in that, being simultaneously in Asia and Europe, it occupies the northern part of the first and the eastern expanses of the second.

Map of the southern border of the Russian Federation showing all neighboring states

It is well known that the length of Russia's borders is 60.9 thousand km. Land borders are 7.6 thousand km. The sea borders of Russia have a length of 38.8 thousand km.

What you need to know about the state border of Russia

In accordance with the provision of international law, the state border of Russia is defined as the surface of the globe. It includes both territorial waters and internal waters. In addition, the "composition" of the state border includes the bowels of the earth and airspace.

The state border of Russia is the existing water and territorial line. The main "function" of the state border should be considered the definition of actual territorial limits.

Types of state borders

After the collapse of the great and mighty Soviet Union, the Russian Federation has the following types of borders:

• old (these borders were inherited by Russia from the Soviet Union);
• new.

A similar map of the borders of the USSR indicating the borders of the republics of the union

The old borders should include those that coincide with the borders of states that were once full members of one large Soviet family. Most of the old borders are secured by contracts concluded in accordance with current international standards. These states should include both relatively close to Russia and, and.

Experts refer to the new borders those that border on the Baltic countries, as well as on the states that are members of the CIS. The latter, first of all, should be attributed to and.
It is not in vain that Soviet times drive patriotic-minded citizens of the older generation into nostalgia. The fact is that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia lost more than 40 percent of its equipped border.

"Removed" borders

It is not for nothing that Russia is called a unique state. It has borders that are defined today as "carried out" zones on the borders of the former Soviet Union.

Russia today has many problems with borders. They became especially acute after the collapse of the Soviet Union. On a geographical map, everything looks quite beautiful. But in reality, Russia's new borders have nothing to do with cultural and ethnic borders. Another significant problem is the categorical rejection by public opinion of the restrictions that have arisen in connection with the introduction of border posts.

There is another serious problem. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation was not able to equip its new borders in a technical sense in a timely manner. Today, the solution to the problem is moving forward, but not fast enough.

Given the serious danger looming from some of the former Soviet republics, this issue remains at the forefront. The predominant land borders are the southern and western borders. East and north belong to the water boundaries.

Map of the collapse of the Soviet Union

What you need to know about the key borders of the Russian Federation

By 2020, our country has a large number of neighbors. On land, our country borders on fourteen powers. It is important to note all neighbors:

1. Republic of Kazakhstan.
2. Mongolian state.
3. Belarus.
4. Polish Republic.
5. Estonian Republic.
6. Norway.

Also, our country has borders with the Abkhazian state and South Ossetia. But these countries are still not recognized by the "international community", which still considers them part of the Georgian state.

Map of the Russian border with Georgia and the unrecognized republics

For this reason, the borders of the Russian Federation with these small states are not generally recognized in 2020 either.

With whom does Russia border on land?

The most important land neighbors of the Russian Federation include the Norwegian state. The border with this Scandinavian state runs along the swampy tundra from the Varanger Fjord. Important domestic and Norwegian power plants are located here.

Today, at the highest level, the issue of creating a transport route to this country, cooperation with which began in the deep Middle Ages, is being seriously discussed.

A little further south stretches the border with the Finnish state. The area is wooded and rocky. This section is important for Russia for the reason that it is here that active foreign trade is carried out. Finnish cargo is transported from Finland to the Vyborg port. The western border of the Russian Federation stretches from the Baltic waters to the Sea of ​​Azov.

Map of Russia's western border showing all border states

The first section should include the border with the Baltic powers. The second section, no less important, is the border with Belarus. In 2020, it continues to be free for the transport of goods and the travel of people. The European transport route, which is of great importance for Russia, passes through this section. Not so long ago, a historic decision was made regarding the creation of a new powerful gas pipeline. The main point is the Yamal Peninsula. The highway will pass through Belarus to the countries of Western Europe.

Ukraine is not only geopolitical, but also geographically important for Russia. Given the difficult situation, which continues to be extremely tense in 2020, the Russian authorities are doing everything possible to lay new railway lines. But the railway connecting Zlatoglavaya with Kiev still does not lose its relevance.

With whom does the Russian Federation border on the sea

Our most important water neighbors include Japan and the United States of America.

Map of the maritime borders of the Russian Federation

Both of these states are separated from the Russian Federation by small straits. The Russian-Japanese border is marked between Sakhalin, Yu.Kurils and Hokkaido.

After the annexation of Crimea, Russia had neighbors in the Black Sea. These countries include Turkey, Georgia and Bulgaria. Canada, located on the other side of the Arctic Ocean, should be attributed to the oceanic neighbors of the Russian Federation.

The most important Russian ports include:

1. Arkhangelsk.
2. Murmansk.
3. Sevastopol.

From Arkhangelsk and Murmansk originates the great Northern Route. Most of the local waters are covered with a huge crust of ice for eight to nine months. In 2016, by order of the President of the Russian Federation, preparations began for the creation of an underwater Arctic highway. As expected, this highway will use nuclear submarines to transport important cargo. Of course, only submarines decommissioned will take part in the transportation.

Disputed areas

In 2020, Russia still has some unresolved geographic disputes. Today, the following countries are involved in the "geographical conflict":

1. Estonian Republic.
2. Latvian republic.
3. People's Republic of China.
4. Japan.

If we take into account that the so-called “international community” denies the annexation of Crimea to Russia, ignoring the results of the referendum held in March 2014, then Ukraine should be added to this list. In addition, Ukraine seriously lays claim to some of the Kuban lands.

Disputed section of Russia's border with Norway

The so-called "Arctic issue" in the near future seems to be only a method of "subtle trolling" for some of Russia's maritime neighbors.

Claims of the Republic of Estonia

This issue is not being discussed as diligently as the “problem of the Kuriles”. And the Republic of Estonia claims to the right bank of the Narva River, which is located on the territory of Ivangorod. Also, the "appetites" of this state extend to the Pskov region.

Five years ago, an agreement was concluded between the Russian and Estonian states. It marked the delimitation of water spaces in the Gulf of Finland and Narva.

The “protagonist” of the Russian-Estonian negotiations is considered to be the “Saatse boot”. It is in this place that the transportation of bricks from the Urals to European countries takes place. Once they wanted to transfer the "boot" to the Estonian state, in exchange for other parts of the land. But due to the significant amendments made by the Estonian side, our country did not ratify the agreement.

Claims of the Republic of Latvia

Until 2007, the Republic of Latvia wanted to receive the territory of the Pytalovsky district, which is located in the Pskov region. But in March, an agreement was signed according to which this area should remain the property of our country.

What China wanted and achieved

Five years ago, the Chinese-Russian border was demarcated. According to this agreement, the People's Republic of China received a land plot in the Chita region and 2 plots near Bolshoi Ussuriysky and Tarabarov islands.

In 2020, a dispute continues between our country and China regarding the Republic of Tuva. In turn, Russia does not recognize the independence of Taiwan. There are no diplomatic relations with this state. Some seriously fear that the People's Republic of China is interested in the division of Siberia. This issue has not yet been discussed at the highest level, and dark rumors are very difficult to comment on and analyze.

China and Russia border map

The year 2015 shows that serious geographic tensions between Russia and China should not arise in the near future.

Border length

The length of the Russian borders is more than 60.9 thousand kilometers, which are guarded by approximately 183 thousand border guards. More than 10,000 border troops are stationed on the border of Tajikistan and Afghanistan, operational groups of the Federal Border Service of Russia guard the border of Kyrgyzstan and China, Armenia, Iran and Turkey.

The modern borders of Russia with the former Soviet republics are not fully formalized in international legal terms. For example, the border between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Ukraine has not yet been demarcated, although the delimitation of the land border was completed long ago.

Russia borders on 16 states

• The border with Norway is 219.1 kilometers long,
• with Finland - 1325.8 kilometers,
• with Estonia - 466.8 kilometers,
• with Latvia - 270.5 kilometers,
• with Lithuania (border with the Kaliningrad region) - 288.4 kilometers,
• with Poland (border with the Kaliningrad region) - 236.3 kilometers,
• with Belarus - 1239 kilometers,
• with Ukraine - 2245.8 kilometers,
• with Georgia - 897.9 kilometers,
• with Azerbaijan - 350 kilometers,
• with Kazakhstan - 7,598.6 kilometers,
• with China - 4,209.3 kilometers,
• with the DPRK - 39.4 kilometers,
• with Japan - 194.3 kilometers,
• from the USA - 49 kilometers.

Land borders of Russia

On land, Russia borders on 14 states, 8 of which are former Soviet republics.

The length of the land border of Russia

• with Norway is 195.8 kilometers (of which 152.8 kilometers are the border passing along rivers and lakes),
• with Finland - 1271.8 kilometers (180.1 kilometers),
• with Poland (border with the Kaliningrad region) - 204.1 kilometers (0.8 kilometers),
• with Mongolia - 3,485 kilometers,
• with China - 4,209.3 kilometers,
• from the DPRK - 17 kilometers along rivers and lakes,
• with Estonia - 324.8 kilometers (235.3 kilometers),
• with Latvia - 270.5 kilometers (133.3 kilometers),
• with Lithuania (border with the Kaliningrad region) - 266 kilometers (236.1 kilometers),
• with Belarus - 1239 kilometers,
• with Ukraine - 1925.8 kilometers (425.6 kilometers),
• with Georgia - 875.9 kilometers (56.1 kilometers),
• with Azerbaijan - 327.6 kilometers (55.2 kilometers),
• with Kazakhstan - 7,512.8 kilometers (1,576.7 kilometers).

The Kaliningrad region is a semi-enclave: the territory of the state, surrounded on all sides by the land borders of other states and having access to the sea.

Western land borders are not tied to any natural boundaries. In the area from the Baltic to the Sea of ​​Azov, they pass through populated and developed flat areas. Here the border is crossed by railways: St. Petersburg-Tallinn, Moscow-Riga, Moscow-Minsk-Warsaw, Moscow-Kyiv, Moscow-Kharkov.

Russia's southern border with Georgia and Azerbaijan runs along the Caucasus Mountains from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea. Railways are laid along the edge of the coast, two highways pass through the central part of the ridge, which are often closed in winter due to snow drifts.

The longest land border - with Kazakhstan - runs along the steppes of the Trans-Volga region, the Southern Urals and southern Siberia. The border is crossed by many railways connecting Russia not only with Kazakhstan, but also with the countries of Central Asia: Astrakhan-Guryev (further to Turkmenistan), Saratov-Uralsk, Orenburg-Tashkent, Barnaul-Alma-Ata, a small section of the Trans-Siberian Railway Chelyabinsk-Omsk , Central Siberian and South Siberian highways.

The second longest - the border with China - runs along the channel of the Amur River, its tributary the Ussuri River, the Argun River. It is crossed by the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER), built back in 1903, and the Chita-Vladivostok highway, laid through Chinese territory, in order to connect the Far East and Siberia by the shortest route.

The border with Mongolia runs through the mountainous regions of southern Siberia. The Mongolian border is crossed by a branch of the Trans-Siberian Railway - Ulan-Ude-Ulan-Bator-Beijing.

A railroad to Pyongyang passes through the border with the DPRK.

Maritime borders of Russia

By sea, Russia borders on 12 states.

The length of the sea border of Russia

• with Norway is 23.3 kilometers,
• with Finland - 54 kilometers,
• with Estonia - 142 kilometers,
• with Lithuania (border with the Kaliningrad region) - 22.4 kilometers,
• with Poland (border with the Kaliningrad region) - 32.2 kilometers,
• with Ukraine - 320 kilometers,
• with Georgia - 22.4 kilometers,
• with Azerbaijan - 22.4 kilometers,
• with Kazakhstan - 85.8 kilometers,
• with the DPRK - 22.1 kilometers.

Russia has only a sea border with the USA and Japan. These are the narrow straits that separate the South Kuriles from the island of Hokkaido and the island of Ratmanov from the island of Kruzenshtern. The length of the border with Japan is 194.3 kilometers, with the United States - 49 kilometers.

The longest maritime border (19,724.1 kilometers) runs along the coast of the seas of the Arctic Ocean: the Barents, Kara, Laptev, East Siberian and Chukchi. Year-round navigation without icebreakers is possible only off the northern coast of the Kola Peninsula. All northern ports except Murmansk operate only during the short northern navigation: 2-3 months. Therefore, the northern maritime border is of little importance for relations with other countries.

The second longest maritime border (16,997 kilometers) runs along the coast of the Pacific Ocean seas: Bering, Okhotsk, Japan. The southeastern coast of Kamchatka goes directly to the ocean. The main ice-free ports are Vladivostok and Nakhodka.

Railways reach the coast only in the south of Primorsky Krai in the area of ​​ports and in the Tatar Strait (Sovetskaya Gavan and Vanino). The coastal territories of the Pacific coast are poorly developed and populated.

The length of the sea coast of the Baltic and Azov-Black Sea basins is small (126.1 kilometers and 389.5 kilometers, respectively), but is used with greater intensity than the coasts of the northern and eastern borders.

In the USSR, large ports were mainly built in the Baltic region. Now Russia can use their capacities only for a fee. The country's largest marine merchant fleet is St. Petersburg, and new ports and oil terminals are being built in the Gulf of Finland.

In the Sea of ​​Azov, the maritime boundary runs from the Taganrog Bay to the Kerch Strait, and then along the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. The main ports of the Black Sea coast are Novorossiysk (the largest port in Russia) and Tuapse. The ports of Azov - Yeysk, Taganrog, Azov are shallow and inaccessible to large vessels. In addition, the Azov coast freezes for a short time and navigation here is supported by icebreakers.

The maritime boundary of the Caspian Sea is not exactly defined and is estimated by Russian border guards at 580 kilometers.

Border population and cooperation

Representatives of almost 50 nationalities live in the border regions of Russia and neighboring states. Of the 89 subjects of the Russian Federation, 45 represent the border regions of the country. They occupy 76.6 percent of the entire territory of the country. They are home to 31.6 percent of Russia's population. The population of the border regions is 100 thousand people (as of 1993).

Cross-border cooperation is usually understood as a state-public structure, which includes federal departments, state authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, local governments, the activities of the population, and public initiatives.

Both the old border regions and the new ones are interested in the development of cross-border cooperation. In the latter, periodically there are problems associated with a sudden break in the established ties between neighboring regions. In some cases, the border "breaks" the resource (water, energy, information, etc.) communications of economic objects (for example, the energy dependence of the Omsk region on Kazakhstan). On the other hand, in the new border regions, the flow of goods is constantly increasing, which can bring many benefits, subject to large investments in the appropriate infrastructure.

Thus, the border regions of the states need joint socio-economic development, the joint use of resource sources, the establishment of an information infrastructure and the restoration of communications between the population.
The basis for the successful development of cross-border cooperation is good-neighbourly relations between the parties at the state level, a developed legislative framework (framework agreements on cooperation, legislative regulation of customs rules, the abolition of double taxation, simplification of the procedure for moving goods) and the desire of the regions to participate in the development of cooperation

Problems of cooperation in border areas

Despite the imperfection of the federal legislation of Russia in relation to cross-border cooperation of its regions, at the level of municipal and local self-government, it is, one way or another, carried out in all 45 border regions.

Lack of good neighborly relations with the Baltic countries does not provide an opportunity for the broad development of cross-border cooperation at the regional level, although its need is acutely felt by the population of the border regions.

Today, on the border with Estonia, a simplified procedure for crossing the border is applied for the border population. But from January 1, 2004, Estonia switched to a strict visa regime established by the Schengen Agreement. Latvia abandoned the simplified procedure as early as March 2001.

As far as regional cooperation is concerned, back in July 1996 in Pulva (Estonia) a Council for Cooperation of Border Regions was established, which included representatives of the Võru and Põlva counties of Estonia, the Aluksne and Balvi regions of Latvia, as well as the Palka, Pechersk and Pskov regions of the Pskov region. The main tasks of the Council are the development of a joint strategy for cross-border cooperation and the implementation of projects to improve infrastructure and environmental protection. On the territory of the Pskov region there are more than two hundred enterprises with the participation of Estonian and Latvian capital.

Lithuania has introduced visas for Russian citizens transiting through its territory. This decision affects the interests of the inhabitants of the Russian semi-enclave, the Kaliningrad region. Economic problems in the region may also arise due to the introduction of a visa regime by Poland. The authorities of the Kaliningrad region are pinning great hopes on the resolution of visa issues with the European Framework Convention on Cross-border Cooperation between Territorial Communities and Authorities, which has just been ratified by Russia.

On a contractual basis, the Kaliningrad region cooperates with seven voivodships of Poland, four counties of Lithuania and the district of Bornholm (Denmark).

In 1998, the region joined the multilateral cross-border cooperation within the Euroregion "Baltic", and its three municipalities joined the work on the creation of the Euroregion "Saule" (with the participation of Lithuania and Latvia). In the second half of the 1990s, a number of agreements were signed on the line of interregional cooperation between the Kaliningrad region and Klaipeda, Panevezys, Kaunas, and Marijampole districts of Lithuania.

Quite tense relations have been established in the Caucasus region of Russia and Georgia. In 2000, restrictions on movement between Georgia and Russia were introduced, which tangibly hit the residents of both republics of Ossetia. Today, at the regional level, the regions of North Ossetia have established border ties with the Kazbek region of Georgia, since August 2001, their residents can cross the border without issuing visas.

The situation on the Dagestan section of the border is better: in 1998, the efforts of the government of Dagestan lifted restrictions on crossing the state border between Russia and Azerbaijan, which helped to reduce tension and intensify economic ties. In pursuance of the intergovernmental agreement on trade and economic cooperation between Dagestan and Azerbaijan, an industry agreement has been prepared - on cooperation in the agro-industrial complex.

The expansion of cooperation between the neighboring regions of Kazakhstan and Russia is associated with the issues of completing the processes of delimitation and demarcation of borders. For example, the Altai Territory is actively cooperating with China, Mongolia and the Central Asian republics of the CIS (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan). The main partners in the cross-border cooperation of the Altai Territory are the East Kazakhstan and Pavlodar regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The volume of foreign trade turnover between Altai and Kazakhstan is about a third of the total foreign trade turnover of the region. As a necessary legal basis for the development of this kind of cross-border cooperation, Russia considers bilateral agreements on cooperation between the administration of the region and the regions of Kazakhstan.

The nature of the border ties between the Russian Federation and Mongolia is determined by the underdevelopment of the western aimags of Mongolia. Trade with Mongolia is dominated by small contracts. A promising direction in Russia's border cooperation with Mongolia is the development of ore deposits explored in the west of the country. In the case of the implementation of direct transport projects, the possible construction of a gas pipeline between Russia and China through Mongolia, the necessary energy and infrastructure conditions will be created for the participation of the Siberian regions in the development of raw materials in Mongolia. A stage in the development of relations was the opening in February 2002 of the Consulate General of Mongolia in Kyzyl.

Cross-border cooperation between the regions of Russia and Japan is influenced by the interest of the Japanese side in the islands of the South Kuril chain. In 2000, the "Program of Japanese-Russian cooperation in the development of joint economic activities on the islands of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Khabomai" was signed at the state level.

Former residents of the islands and members of their families - Japanese citizens can visit the islands under a simplified visa regime. For many years there have been visa-free exchanges between the parties. Japanese Foreign Ministry organizes Japanese language courses.

Objective difficulties are connected with the fact that the Japanese do not recognize the islands as Russian. The assistance of the Japanese side in the construction of power plants and clinics can be regarded as an act of good will, and not as cooperation of equal parties.

The most active in the development of cooperation are the northwestern and southeastern directions - the "old" border regions.

Cooperation in the Russian-Finnish border region

Murmansk and Leningrad regions, the Republic of Karelia are participants in cross-border cooperation with the regions of the Finnish side. There are several cooperation programs: the program of the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Interreg program and the Northern Dimension. The fundamental documents are the Agreements on the Establishment of Friendly Ties between the Regions and bilateral cooperation plans.

In 1998, at the international seminar "External borders of the EU - soft borders" in Joensuu (Finland), the government of the Republic of Karelia proposed to create the Euroregion "Karelia". The idea was supported by the leaders of the border regional unions and approved at the highest level of both states in the same year.

The purpose of the project is to create a new model of cross-border cooperation between the regional unions of Finland and the Republic of Karelia. The task is to remove barriers that exist in cooperation between territories, first of all, to develop communication between residents of adjacent regions.

In the structure of the economy of the Karelia Euroregion, the main industry is the service sector, both in the territory of the Finnish regional unions and in the Republic of Karelia (at least two thirds of the working population are employed in this sector). The second largest sectors are industry and construction, followed by agriculture and forestry.

Weak sides of the Russian part of the region, which can negatively affect cooperation and must certainly be taken into account in close cooperation with the Finnish side, are the raw material orientation of industry, poor development of communications, local environmental problems and low living standards.

In October 2000, Karelia adopted the "Program of cross-border cooperation of the Republic of Karelia for 2001-2006".

The Government of Finland approved and sent to the EU the Interreg-III A-Karelia Program in Finland. At the same time, in 2000, the general Action Program for 2001-2006 and the work plan for the next year were approved, according to which 9 priority projects were planned for implementation. Among them are the construction of the International Automobile Checkpoint, the development of scientific cooperation, the development of the border territories of the White Sea Karelia.

In January 2001, the activities of the Euroregion received support from the EU Tacis program - the European Commission allocated 160 thousand euros for the Euroregion Karelia project.

There is a simplified visa regime on the Russian-Finnish border.

Cooperation in the Russian-Chinese border region

Cross-border cooperation on the Russian-Chinese section of the border has a long history.

The legal basis for interregional relations is the Agreement signed on November 10, 1997 between the governments of the Russian Federation and the PRC on the principles of cooperation between the constituent entities of Russia and the provinces, autonomous regions and cities of the central subordination of the PRC. The development of cross-border trade is facilitated by significant benefits provided by China to its participants (reduction of import tariff by 50 percent).

In 1992, the State Council of the People's Republic of China declared four cities adjacent to Russia (Manchuria, Heihe, Suifenhe and Hunchun) "cities of border cooperation." Since that time, the Chinese side has been actively raising the issue of joint "free trade zones" on the border near the main checkpoints.

In 1992, a simplified procedure for crossing the Chinese-Russian border was introduced.

At the end of November 1996, Chinese trading complexes on the border were opened, where Russian citizens are delivered with special passes (the lists are compiled by the local administration).

In order to facilitate the individual commercial activities of residents of the border regions of Russia, in February 1998, through the exchange of notes, a Russian-Chinese Agreement was concluded on the organization of a simplified pass for Russian citizens to the Chinese parts of shopping malls.

On January 1, 1999, the Regulations on New Rules for the Regulation of Border Trade came into force, in particular, residents of border areas are allowed to import duty-free goods worth three thousand yuan into China (previously - one thousand).

Among the promising projects is the development of cooperation in the field of the timber industry complex, the construction of infrastructure facilities, the construction of pipeline networks for interstate projects, etc.

Cooperation between the border regions of Russia and China is also developing through the programs of UNIDO and UNDP. The most famous is the regional UNDP project for the development of economic cooperation in the Tumen River Basin (Tumen River Area Development Program) with the participation of Russia, China, North Korea, the Republic of Korea and Mongolia. The main areas of cooperation are the development of transport and telecommunications infrastructure.

Last year, the two largest banks of the parties, Vneshtorgbank of Russia and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, entered into an agreement on settlements for border trade between the two countries. The agreement provides for the possibility of conducting bilateral settlements for border trade within one day on the basis of mutually established credit lines.

At the state level, a policy of cultural rapprochement between neighboring countries is being pursued: the General Consulate of the PRC has been opened in Khabarovsk, the Chinese language is taught in secondary and higher educational institutions, festivals, scientific conferences, and bilateral meetings of regional authorities and economic partners are held.

The main problem of the region is the fear of the Russian side of the demographic pressure from the Chinese population. The population density of the border areas on the Russian side is extremely low in absolute and relative terms compared to the population density of the Chinese side.

From the history of relations between the border population

Russian-Chinese and Russian-Korean sections of the border.

Economic and economic activity and trade on the border of China and the Russian Empire was regulated by the following main documents:

• The Aigun Treaty - allowed mutual border trade for citizens of both states living along the Ussuri, Amur and Sungari rivers.
• The Beijing Treaty - allowed free and duty-free barter trade throughout the border line for subjects of Russia and China.
• "Rules for land trade between Russia and China", signed at the government level in 1862 for 3 years and then confirmed in 1869, established duty-free trade at a distance of 50 miles on both sides of the Russian-Chinese border.
• The Petersburg Treaty of 1881 confirmed all the articles on the "Rules of Russian-Chinese Trade in the Far East", which were recorded in the previous agreements.

By the end of the 19th century, land border trade was the main form of economic relations between the Russian population of the Far East and Manchuria. She, especially in the initial period of development of the region, played an exceptionally important role. The first settlers needed the most essential personal and household items. The Cossacks received tobacco, tea, millet, bread from Manchuria, selling, in turn, cloth and fabrics. The Chinese willingly purchased furs, dishes, silver in coins and items.

The trade turnover of the Russian Far East with Manchuria in 1893-1895 amounted to 3 million rubles and was distributed accordingly by regions: Amur - one million rubles, Primorskaya - 1.5-2 million rubles, Transbaikal - no more than 0.1 million rubles.

The free port regime (duty-free trade regime) established in the border zone, along with positive aspects, contributed to the development of smuggling, which Chinese merchants widely used in their activities. Annually, the smuggling of gold into Manchuria at the end of the 19th century was equal to 100 poods (which amounted to 1,344 thousand rubles). The cost of smuggling furs and other goods (except gold) was approximately 1.5-2 million rubles. And Chinese vodka khanshin and opium were smuggled into the territory of the Far East from Manchuria. In the Primorsky region, the main import went along the Songhua River. For example, in 1645, 4,000 poods of opium worth up to 800,000 rubles were brought to the Primorsky Region. Alcohol smuggling from the Amur region to China in 1909-1910 was estimated at about 4 million rubles.

In 1913, the Russian government extended the Petersburg Treaty (1881) for 10 years, excluding the article providing for duty-free trade within a 50-verst border strip.

In addition to border trade, the Cossacks leased land shares to the Chinese and Koreans. There was a mutual influence of the agricultural cultures of the Chinese, Koreans and Russians. The Cossacks learned to grow soybeans, melons and corn. The Chinese used Cossack mills to grind grain. Another form of cooperation is the hiring of Chinese and Korean agricultural workers in the Cossack farms, especially during the seasonal periods of agricultural work. Relations between the owners and workers were good, the poor Chinese willingly used the opportunities to earn money in the Cossack farms. This also formed good neighborly relations on both sides of the border.

The Cossacks living on the border had strong, economically developed military, stanitsa and settlement farms, well-established economic, trade and cultural ties with the population of the adjacent territory, which had a positive effect on the general situation in the Russian-Chinese border area, and on the border itself. Many Ussuri and Amur Cossacks spoke Chinese well.

Good neighborly relations were manifested in the joint celebration of Russian, Orthodox and Chinese holidays. The Chinese came to visit their familiar Cossacks, the Cossacks went to celebrate the Chinese New Year. There were no special problems with visiting acquaintances on the adjacent side, the border in this regard was more conditional, all visits were under the control of the Cossack population and local authorities.

Of course, there were also conflicts at the local level. There are known cases of theft of livestock, hay, use of hayfields by the other side. There were cases of smuggling of alcohol by the Cossacks to the adjacent territory and selling it through their acquaintances. Often disputes arose over fishing on the Ussuri River, Lake Khanka. Conflicts were sorted out by atamans and stanitsa boards or through the border commissioner of the South Ussuri Territory.

All data on the length of the state border according to the information of the Federal Border Service of the Russian Federation.

Overall rating of the material: 5

SIMILAR MATERIALS (BY MARKS):

Northern necklace. On the rivers and lakes of the north-west of Russia