Here’s what you need to know
The Russian Federation, known for its immense size and striking diversity, remains the largest country on the planet. Stretching from the Baltics in the west to the Pacific shores near Alaska in the east, Russia spans 11 time zones and encompasses over 100 languages. The nation’s breathtaking landscapes and mosaic of cultures cover an astonishing area of 6.6 million sq. miles (17.1 million sq. km), yet its sheer scale tells a story of centuries of conquest, complex history, and evolving identity.
The journey to becoming such a colossal nation involves the legacy of medieval states, invasions, relentless expansions, and a succession of determined rulers who shaped Russia’s vast empire. Intrigued? Click through this gallery to uncover how this country became so large.
Russia’s beginnings can be traced back to a collective of medieval states that evolved through time. Vikings known as the Varangians were central to this story, establishing the Kievan Rus’ and creating the earliest traces of Russian identity.
The Vikings spread their influence from Novgorod to Kyiv, and gave rise to the Kievan Rus’, a federation of principalities that often battled for dominance, with leaders constantly vying for power and seeking to unite the fragmented regions.
The Kievan Rus’ had one particular weakness that would be thoroughly exploited: nearby grasslands. These vast areas of land that stretched across Asia were easy to cross, and were used by horse-riding Mongols seeking to expand their empire westward.
By the 13th century, the expanding Mongol Empire imposed its dominance over the Rus’ principalities and cities. The Mongols heavily influenced Russian political and military strategies, and Russians had to pay heavy taxes.
Despite Mongol domination, the city of Moscow pushed back against their invaders. The Golden Horde (the western designation of the Mongol Empire) was ultimately defeated in the Battle of Kulikovo of 1380, but Mongol influence still lingered, and further conflicts were needed to ensure Moscow's freedom.
Ivan III, known as Ivan the Great, brought an end to Mongol overlordship. His refusal to pay tribute led to a historic standoff at the Ugra River. The Mongols withdrew, leaving Moscow unopposed and eager to expand its reach.
Ivan III’s victories didn’t stop with the Mongols. He expanded Muscovite territory by subjugating the people of Kazan to the east of Moscow. This strategic move began the nation’s transformation into a dominant power.
After Mongol defeat, Moscow became the central axis of power. Ivan III decisively ended the independence of many principalities by defeating their forces and annexing their lands. By 1487, he had complete authority from Finland to the Ural Mountains.
Vasily III, son of Ivan III, carried forward his father’s vision. He solidified control over much of the empire’s inhabited area and ensured that the region was united. His rule established the “tsar” title and Russia’s emblematic double-headed eagle.
When Vasily III’s son, Ivan IV, took over the empire, he expanded it aggressively. He soon became known as Ivan the Terrible, as he put insurrectionists to the sword. His later years were marked by paranoia and violence, which left the country weakened and impoverished.
Russia faced devastating setbacks, like in 1571 when 120,000 soldiers from the Crimean army invaded and burned Moscow to the ground. Only the Kremlin (pictured) was left standing.
Following Ivan IV’s death in 1584, Russia plunged into chaos. In a period that has become known as the Time of Troubles, the country was left vulnerable by invasions, power struggles, and a famine that claimed the lives of approximately a third of all Russian people.
Despite internal turmoil, Russia expanded east past the Urals. Explorers clashed with local tribes as they claimed new territories. These bitter conflicts carved Russia’s eastern borders and laid the groundwork for the Siberian conquests to follow.
In 1613, the accession of Mikhail Romanov as Tsar of Russia marked a new era. He stabilized the empire, made peace with Sweden and Poland, and resumed expansion. This dynasty’s rule would steer Russia into an age of immense growth and geopolitical importance.
Russian explorers ventured deep into Siberia, founding settlements like Yakutsk and Chita. Explorers pushed through harsh terrain, battling tribes and establishing Russian rule. The era witnessed relentless expansion, and Siberia became a Russian frontier.
As the empire expanded eastward, harsh winter conditions in Siberia caused explorers to search for ways to withstand the cold. Local wildlife proved efficient, and many animals were slaughtered for their fur. Many furs were sold to Europe as well, and this capitalistic venture pushed the empire to expand even further.
Explorers like Kurbat Ivanov charted new frontiers, discovering Lake Baikal and reaching the Pacific Ocean. The Russian Empire held a claim over vast lands as it was determined to push to the East and shape its global presence.
Peter the Great’s rule from 1721 to 1725 saw massive territorial gains in the Baltics. By defeating the Swedes, he added Estonia and Livonia (modern-day Latvia) to Russian rule, and cemented the country’s position as a Baltic power.
Expeditions in the far east revealed the Kamchatka Peninsula and its strategic importance. During the conquest that followed, the empire was met with fierce indigenous resistance, disease outbreaks, and difficult terrain. Despite hardships, Russia eventually subdued these lands and solidified its eastern frontier.
Catherine the Great aimed to give Russia access to the Black Sea. Her victories against the Ottomans and strategic maneuvering in Poland reshaped Eastern Europe, and her era marked an expansion that defined Russia’s southern geopolitical strategy.
In order to obtain access to the Black Sea, Catherine violated treaties and annexed Crimea in 1783. While the seizure allowed Russia to establish the strategic port of Odesa in modern-day Ukraine, the region’s balance of power was permanently shifted.
Poland’s weakened state during Catherine’s reign led to its partition. Russia, Austria, and Prussia carved up the nation, with Russia acquiring significant land. The geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe was forever altered, and Russia emerged dominant.
Defeating Napoleon in 1812 also brought new lands to Russia. The Congress of Vienna granted Russia most of the Duchy of Warsaw, which further extended its western frontier.
Continued conflicts with the Ottoman Empire expanded Russia’s influence. Russian forces even threatened Constantinople, and were only held back by diplomatic intervention. The 1828 treaty secured vital territory, inching Russia closer to its dream of fully controlling the Black Sea.
Alexander II’s campaigns in the 1860s conquered Central Asia. Turkestan (which encompassed modern-day Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and beyond) fell under Russian dominion. These territories added economic and strategic value, and enriched Russia’s empire further into the continent.
Russia’s eastern reach extended into North America. Fur traders established settlements in Alaska and even built posts in California and Hawaii. The Russian-American Company oversaw these outposts, but the logistical challenges made the colonies costly and difficult.
A combination of mismanagement, logistical challenges, and fear of British encroachment led Russia to sell Alaska in 1867. Tsar Alexander II sold it to the United States for a US$7.2 million check, thus ending Russia’s American presence but creating a buffer against British expansion in North America.
The Soviet Union’s formation saw Russia’s imperial borders redrawn. These new administrative divisions would later shape the independent states that emerged when the USSR collapsed.
At its peak in 1895, Russia’s landmass spanned 8.8 million sq. miles (22.8 million sq. km), making it the third-largest empire in history. Even today, it remains nearly twice the size of Canada.
Today, Russia is divided in 85 territories. Of all these areas, 22 territories are called republics, with their own official languages, their own legislature, and their own independence from Russia except in matters of international concern.
Modern Russia’s sheer scale and diversity still embody its imperial roots. From historic conquests to cultural assimilation, the nation’s identity remains complex and marked by a blend of ambition and the legacies of its expansive, turbulent past.
Sources: (TheCollector) (Britannica)
See also: Was Alaska really owned by Russia?
How Russia became the world’s largest country
At its peak, the Russian Empire was the third-largest in history
LIFESTYLE History
The Russian Federation, known for its immense size and striking diversity, remains the largest country on the planet. Stretching from the Baltics in the west to the Pacific shores near Alaska in the east, Russia spans 11 time zones and encompasses over 100 languages. The nation’s breathtaking landscapes and mosaic of cultures cover an astonishing area of 6.6 million sq. miles (17.1 million sq. km), yet its sheer scale tells a story of centuries of conquest, complex history, and evolving identity.
The journey to becoming such a colossal nation involves the legacy of medieval states, invasions, relentless expansions, and a succession of determined rulers who shaped Russia’s vast empire. Intrigued? Click through this gallery to uncover how this country became so large.