Features of the Spatial Organization and Development Potentials Realization of Settlements in the Mountainous Regions of the South Far East of Russia

The article reveals the features of the spatial organization of settlements in the mountainous regions of the Far East of Russia. Using the example of the Sikhote-Alin natural-economic region (NER), the distribution of settlements, their economic specialization, and the realization of their development potentials were analyzed. It was found that the population density begins to decrease sharply at an altitude of about 250 m and the development of the territory moves to the focal level. Zoning of the Sikhote-Alin NER territory was carried out. Two zones were identified: the Sikhote-Alin mountainous country with intermountain valleys and the Sikhote-Alin foothills zone, divided into six subzones, which has its own characteristics of territorial development and economic activity