Northwestern economic region- one of 11 major economic regions. Occupies an area of 195,247 km 2, which is 1.14% of the territory Russian Federation. The population living in the North-Western Economic Region in 2015 amounted to 8,237,041 people, which is 5.63% of the total population of Russia. Population density - 42 people / km 2. The area is characterized increased rate urbanization. About 87% of the population lives in cities, according to this indicator, the district ranks first in the country.
The economic region includes 4 subjects (regions) of the Russian Federation.
- St. Petersburg (city of federal significance)
Saint Petersburg (City)
5 381.736 thousand people(2019)
- Leningrad region
Saint Petersburg (City)
1 846.913 thousand people(2019)
- Pskov region
Pskov (City)
629.659 thousand people(2019)
- Novgorod region
Veliky Novgorod (City)
600.382 thousand people(2019)
Economic and geographical position
The Northwestern economic region is located in the northern part of the Non-Chernozem Zone, on the Russian (East European) Plain. It has common external borders with Latvia, Estonia, Belarus and Finland, has access to the Baltic Sea through the Gulf of Finland, borders on the Central and Northern economic regions Russia.
In terms of territory and population, the North-Western economic region is inferior to most economic regions of the Russian Federation. The economic and geographical position of the region is determined, first of all, by its importance as the largest seaport of Russia on the Baltic coast, the second largest city in the country, in which 62% of the total and about 70% of the urban population of the North-Western economic region are concentrated. The average population density of the region significantly exceeds the average density in Russia, the share of the urban population exceeds 80%.
The national composition of the population is homogeneous, the share of Russians is about 90%. The Vepsians live in the east, the Izhors, Karelians and Vods (a few representatives of the peoples of the Finno-Ugric group of the Ural family) live in the west. The Setos are Orthodox Estonians.
The North-Western economic region occupies one of the leading places in the country in terms of economic development.
Natural conditions and resources
The North-Western economic region is located on the northern outskirts of the East European Plain, which is mainly due to the flat nature of the relief. The climate is temperate continental with warm humid summers and severe snowy winters. Soils are podzolic and (especially in the north) swampy, low-humus, requiring land reclamation measures, a large number fertilizers for agricultural work.
forest resources
A significant part of the territory (about 30%) is located in the forest zone, the forest cover decreases from the northeast to the southwest. Coniferous forests predominate in most of the region, the southwest is located in the zone of mixed forests.
Water resources
The North-Western economic region is rich in water resources - about 7 thousand lakes (including Ladoga, Onega, Ilmen, Chudskoye, Pskov), numerous rivers (including the Neva, Volkhov, Svir). Lake Ladoga with a water area of 17.7 thousand square meters. km of freshwater lakes is second only to Baikal. Lake Onega- 9.7 thousand sq. km, Peipus and Pskov lakes - 3.6 thousand square meters. km, Lake Ilmen - 1 thousand square meters. km. Despite the abundance water resources, their uneven distribution across the region limits the development of water-intensive industries in a number of cities. Intensive water consumption has created in many settlements the region is deficient in water resources. Economic emissions and effluents have led to the pollution of rivers and lakes. Currently, in the North-Western Economic Region, much attention is paid to the protection of environment environmental protection measures are being taken.
Minerals and non-metallic resources
The mineral reserves of the Northwestern economic region are relatively small.
There are practically no natural fuel and energy resources, the region provides for its needs in oil, natural gas and coal by importing them from other regions. Peat extraction is concentrated mainly in. Peat is used as fuel for power plants and also in agriculture.
The North-Western economic region has large reserves of fusible (deposits in and regions of the Novgorod region) and refractory clays (11 deposits, including large deposits in the Borovichsko-Lyubitinsky mining region and the Vitzy deposit). Limestone reserves are significant (Pikalevskoye, Slantsevskoye, Volkhovskoye deposits in, Okulovskoye deposit in the Novgorod region), used in the chemical, pulp and paper, aluminum industries and agriculture. Bauxite is mined in the region, which is an important raw material base for the aluminum industry. Near Leningrad region there is a large deposit of phosphorites (Kingisepp deposit of phosphate ores), which are of export importance. In addition, the North-Western Economic Region has significant reserves of granite, marble, quartzite (the Kaarlakhta deposit in the region), mineral paints - ocher, umber, Prussian blue (in the region), manganese, sand and other raw materials.
Economy
Agro-industrial complex
In the agro-industrial complex of the North-Western economic region, agriculture occupies a central place, which, first of all, is focused on meeting the needs of the urban population with food. A fairly long growing season (from 100 days in the east to 140 in the south) makes it possible to grow fodder crops, grain, vegetables, potatoes, and flax. The most developed agricultural area is located in the southwest with a milder climate and favorable soil conditions. Agricultural land occupies more than 1/3 of the land area here. In agricultural land accounts for 1/5 of the land, in - only 1/10. Dairy, pig, poultry and vegetable farms of the Northwestern economic region are concentrated near cities.
Industry
The modern specialization of the North-Western economic region is due, first of all, to the presence in the region of the largest industrial center - which largely determines the pace scientific and technological progress in all branches of the national economy. At present, due to the relatively low reserves of its own resources, the main role in the economy of the economic region belongs to the manufacturing industry, in particular, two main areas:
- industries focused on highly skilled labor resources (radio electronics, instrumentation, electrical engineering);
- industries that have been developed in the process of establishing the economic complex of the country (shipbuilding, including military, carriage building, power engineering, including nuclear, machine tool building and others). Main part engineering enterprises is concentrated in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region.
important place in the economy of the North-Western economic region are:
- woodworking and pulp and paper industry;
- light industry (including textile, porcelain and faience, leather and footwear);
- food industry;
- fuel and energy complex;
- production of building materials.
natural conditions and resources. Characterized by temperate continental, moraine, bouldered fields. podzolic and peaty. The area is not rich, there are oil shales, phosphorites, clays, limestones. The Kaliningrad region is famous for amber. Significant ones are concentrated in the North-West: 7 thousand lakes (,), a dense network (Neva, Volkhov, Lovat). large areas covered with lush pastures.
Population. This is an area of ancient Russian settlement since the times Kievan Rus. At present, it is characterized by a small number, but the maximum population density. The North-West is called the area of one city: out of 8 million. people - 5 million live in St. Petersburg. The district has the highest in Russia - 87%. Large oldest cities- Novgorod, Pskov, Velikiye Luki, Staraya Russa. Along with Central Russia, highly qualified people are concentrated in the North-West.
Due to the lack of own resources, the role of the manufacturing industry is decisive. Leading position occupies. Two main areas should be distinguished: those focused on highly qualified labor resources (radio electronics, instrumentation, electrical engineering), and industries that have developed in the process of establishing the country's economic complex (shipbuilding, including military, car building, power engineering, including nuclear, machine tool building and other similar industries). Plants smelting non-ferrous metals stand out (St. Petersburg, Volkhov, Pikalevo, Boksitogorsk), oil refining in the city of Kirishi. There are enterprises for the production of fertilizers in (nitrogen and complex) and Kingisepp (phosphorus and complex).
The area is distinguished by the complex use of forest raw materials. All stages of the cycle are presented here, and the final stages account for much more products, that is, raw materials have to be imported. As a necessary industry, it is necessary to single out the electric power industry, based both on its own resources (Volkhovskaya HPP, Svirsky HPPs, Narvskaya HPP, Slantsevskaya GRES), and on imported raw materials (Pskovskaya, Leningradskaya, Kirishskaya GRES, Leningradskaya NPP).
Areas of specialization are:
Diversified mechanical engineering: shipbuilding (nuclear icebreakers, dry cargo ships), production of power equipment for power plants (turbines, generators, nuclear reactors, etc.), high-tech precision industries (electronics, electrical engineering, instrument making, etc.).
Aluminum smelting at the Volkhov and Boksitogorsk plants.
Chemical diversified industry, including pharmaceutical.
Light industry.
Scientific and technical support (20% of all scientific workers in Russia are concentrated in the region).
The North-West is represented by a thermal power plant using imported fuel, a hydroelectric power station (the largest is Volkhovskaya), and the Leningrad NPP.
Agro-industrial complex. and diverse and, first of all, to provide the urban population with food. Agriculture specializes in dairy and beef cattle breeding, pig breeding, poultry farming, growing potatoes and vegetables, including in protected ground. AT last years in the Novgorod region, several largest food enterprises of foreign firms (Cadbury, Dirol) were built.
The focus of the entire territory is St. Petersburg. All roads converge to it (road, rail, power lines). The role of the port complex is very large, as it transships a significant amount of all international maritime cargo in Russia. The loss of many ports after the collapse of the USSR requires additional construction of berths and new port complexes on the coast (Vyborg, Ust-, Batareynaya Bay). It is planned to continue the oil pipeline from Kirishi to the terminal on the shore.
The North-Western region, and primarily St. Petersburg, is a major tourist region of the country.
The capital of the North-Western economic region of the Russian Federation is, of course, St. Petersburg. I visited there as a child in the mid-90s. I remember the city for the large presence of foreigners, where I first heard Finnish speech. This is not surprising: historically, St. Petersburg has always been an outpost of trade relations with the West, which greatly influenced its economic development.
History of the EGP of the North-Western region
Historically, this area is quite remote from the center and at one time Tatar-Mongol yoke affected only indirectly. Slavic tribes The inhabitants of this region were skilled artisans, which is why light industry is so developed there. The abundance of forest land contributed to the development of the forestry complex and the trade in woodworking products. But in my opinion, several features historical role This territory, which occupies a relatively small area, can be distinguished:
- Remoteness from the center saved from the Mongol-Tatars and allowed to preserve the ancient Russian culture (“Novgorod is the cradle of the Russian land”).
- The region steeply enters the borders of Europe, which allowed it to maintain foreign trade relations since ancient times (Novgorod was part of the "Banza" - a medieval trade union of the Baltic states).
- The presence of a large number of ports on the Baltic Sea, as well as a developed river network, helped navigable cargo transportation.
Developed economic sectors of the North-Western region
The region itself received its current borders as part of the USSR in the 80s. Then they began to develop mechanical engineering there, and to provide this industry with qualified personnel, they created many relevant educational institutions. Pro historical meaning light industry was also not forgotten: the well-known Skorokhod factory still exists and keeps its brand.
Composition: Leningrad, Pskov and Novgorod regions, the city of federal significance St. Petersburg.
Area - 196.5 thousand sq. km 2.
Population - 7 million 855 thousand people.
The area is characterized by a favorable EGP, as it is located on the border between Eastern Europe and Russia; along the rivers and lakes of this swampy forest region, the northern part of the route "from the Varangians to the Greeks" passed. The emergence and flourishing of the Lord Veliky Novgorod and the foundation of the new capital - St. Petersburg are associated with an advantageous transport and geographical position. On the territory of the district there are ancient centers of the Russian Orthodox Church.
For 2 centuries, St. Petersburg was the official capital Russian Empire which boosted the development of the entire region. At present, the North-Western region is located between the Eastern European states - Finland, Estonia, Latvia and the Central and Northern economic regions of Russia. This situation between the economically developed territories and the resource and raw material base northern region has great benefits for the North-West region. Also important is its access to the Baltic.
Natural conditions and resources
Repeated glaciations had a huge impact on the territory of the North-Western region. On its low plains, a rugged moraine-glacial relief is clearly expressed with various moraine hills, lake depressions and hollows for the flow of melted glacial waters. The area is heavily swamped, there are about seven thousand lakes of various sizes. The largest are Ladoga, Onega, Chudskoye, Ilmen. The river network is dense, but the rivers are relatively short and young; Among them, the Neva stands out - one of the most abundant rivers in the European part of the country.
The climate of the area is characterized high humidity, varies from maritime temperate on the coast to temperate continental. The soils are mostly podzolic, peat-bog soils are also found everywhere. Natural vegetation (spruce-pine forests with birch, etc.) is heavily cut down (by 50%) and changed. In the northeast, the forests are better preserved.
Of the minerals, refractory clays are significant, quartz sands, oil shales, phosphorites, limestones, salt springs, bauxites.
Population
The population of the district is about 6% of the population of the Russian Federation, the average density is about 40 people. per 1 km 2, but in peripheral areas only about 2-4 people. per 1 km 2. AT countryside The Pskov and Novgorod regions are the oldest population in all of Russia, so the average family size here is only 2.8-2.9 people (on average in Russia - 3.2 people).
The majority of the population is Russian. Urbanization rate - 87%. About 5 million people live in the northern capital of Russia.
economy
The North-West is an industrial region with a powerful manufacturing complex, which is mainly focused on imported raw materials and fuel.
Branches of specialization - mechanical engineering, non-ferrous metallurgy, chemical, light.
Machine building complex characterized by the development of industries that require skilled labor. Power, electrical engineering, shipbuilding, instrumentation, machine tool building, tractor building are represented. The region also produces modern facilities automation and turbines.
The main centers of mechanical engineering are St. Petersburg (generators and turbines for hydroelectric power plants, state district power plants, nuclear power plants, shipbuilding, instrumentation, radio engineering, electrical engineering, electronics), as well as Novgorod, Pskov, Velikiye Luki, Staraya Russa, Vyborg, Kaliningrad.
In the North-Western region, on local Tikhvin bauxites, the first Russian production of al! ") mini- Metallurgical plants are also located in Volkhov (aluminum plant), Boksitogorsk and Pikalevo (alumina plants).
Chemical industry developed primarily in St. Petersburg, which became a pioneer in the production6 of polymers, plastics, and is also a major pharmaceutical center.
In Kingisepp (modern - Kuresaare) are produced mineral fertilizers from local phosphorites.
Light industry- historically highly developed. Footwear and textile industries stand out.
The agro-industrial complex of the district specializes in dairy farming, pig breeding, poultry farming, vegetable and potato production. In the south and southwest, flax is grown, which serves as raw material for factories and combines in Pskov and Velikiye Luki.
The fuel and energy complex of the region operates mainly on imported fuel (oil, gas, coal). Electricity is generated by powerful thermal power plants in St. Petersburg and Kirishi.
HPPs of small and medium capacity have been built on numerous rivers of the region.
One of Russia's largest Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant operates in the region (with a capacity of 4 million kW).
Transport. The transport hub of the St. Petersburg agglomeration is second only to Moscow in terms of freight and passenger traffic. St. Petersburg is the largest foreign trade seaport in Russia. The Volga-Baltic Canal connects the region with other parts of the country, while the White Sea-Baltic Canal provides access to the White and Barents Seas.
Three new Russian ports are being built in the Gulf of Finland, which is connected with the need to restore their positions in the Baltic after the loss of trade and military bases in the now sovereign states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.