Russia is the largest country in the world, spanning over 6.6 million square miles. It is a vast landscape of mountains, forests, plains, and tundra. Russia is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups, including Slavs, Turks, Finno-Ugric peoples, and many more. While Russia contains nearly 150 million people, the country's population density is not equally distributed throughout its vast landscape. Here, we look at the places in Russia with the lowest population density.
The Sakha Republic
The Sakha Republic, also known as Yakutia, is a federal subject of Russia located in the Far East. Spanning over 3 million square kilometers, it is the largest subnational entity in the world. Despite its massive size, its population is a mere 1 million people. This gives the Sakha Republic a population density of 0.3 people per square kilometer, the lowest in Russia. This low population density is attributed to the region's harsh climate and the remoteness of its settlements. The capital, Yakutsk, is the largest city in the Sakha Republic, but its population is still a mere 270,000 people.
Magadan Oblast
Magadan Oblast is a federal subject located in the Russian Far East. It is one of the most sparsely populated regions of the country, with a population of just over 300,000 people. This gives Magadan Oblast a population density of 0.4 people per square kilometer. Much of the population is concentrated in the oblast's capital, Magadan, which has a population of around 100,000 people. The region is renowned for its harsh climate and its short, but intense summers.
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is a federal subject located in the Russian Far East. It is the most northerly region in the country and has an extremely low population density of 0.6 people per square kilometer. The region is made up of sparsely populated tundra and is home to a number of indigenous peoples, including the Chukchi and the Yupik. The region's largest settlement is Anadyr, which has a population of around 15,000 people. The region's population is in decline due to its harsh climate and its remoteness from the rest of Russia.
Kamchatka Krai
Kamchatka Krai is a federal subject located in the Russian Far East. It is one of the most remote and sparsely populated regions of the country, with a population of just over 400,000 people. This gives Kamchatka Krai a population density of 0.7 people per square kilometer. Most of the population is concentrated in the region's capital, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, which has a population of around 210,000 people. The region is renowned for its spectacular landscapes and its untouched wilderness.