Ethno-Cultural Landscapes of Russia: The Influence of Geography and Spatial Arrangements on Ethnic Diversity, Cultural Identity, and Regional Autonomy Movements

Abstract From the vast European plains and Ural Mountains to the broad Siberian taiga, arctic tundra, and jagged Caucasus ranges, and from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean, the Russian Federation occupies an enormous area of approximately 17 million square kilometers across Eurasia, and therefore encompasses a rich tapestry of ethno-cultural landscapes formed by an array of geographical features and human adaptations. In this paper we explore the primary research question: how does the physical environment and spatial organization shape ethnic diversity, regional culture, and regional autonomy movements in the Russian Federation? Using a qualitative comparative case study methodology to examine several major geographic locations (North Caucasus, Volga-Ural region, and Siberia/ Far East), our analysis utilizes historical documents, census data provided by Rosstat, ethnographic research, and sociopolitical analyses to illustrate the multiple dimensions of the relationships between physical geography and ethnicity/culture/autonomy. For example, the mountainous barriers within the North Caucasus have enabled the sustenance of greater than 30 different micro-ethnic groups in the Republic of Dagestan, which has fostered clan-based identities and separatist movements such as those in Chechnya. Our findings demonstrate that regions located in the periphery are characterized by higher levels of ethnic diversity (approximately 190 groups nationally), more strongly developed cultural identities linked to the local landscape, and recurring movements for regional autonomy. These are largely influenced by a variety of characteristics including topological fragmentation, barriers to migration, and the economic leverage gained by regional populations. We conclude with recommendations for spatial reform of the federal system in Russia that will reduce ethnic conflict, and promote equal resource sharing and climate adaptation strategies to address the needs of indigenous peoples living in the arctic regions who face significant challenges due to geopolitical forces.