How long will the decisive role of the Volga in the life of the region remain?
What are the features of the economic and geographical position?
The Volga River serves as the main region-forming axis of the Volga region, giving it a peculiar, almost 1.5 thousand km long configuration. The Volga region has a favorable economic geographical position, first of all - transport and geographical, as it occupies a busy intersection of the Volga and an extensive network railways between the developed European Center and the North Caucasus on the one hand, the Urals, Siberia and Kazakhstan on the other. Volgo-Kamsky waterway has access to the Caspian, Azov, Black, Baltic and White Seas.
What is the peculiarity of natural conditions?
The relief of the Volga region is generally flat with a general drop in altitude from north to south towards the Caspian Sea. The natural conditions of the Volga region are determined not only by the geographical location of the region, but also by the Volga itself. The right bank, up to Volgograd, is occupied by the Volga Upland, strongly dissected by ravines and gullies and in many places ending in steep slopes to the river. The Volga Upland reaches its maximum height of 370 m above sea level in the Zhiguli Ridge, located in the bend ("bow") of the Volga opposite the city of Samara.
Rice. 101. Zhiguli
Zhiguli break off to the Volga with an unusually picturesque steep slope, dotted with ravines and gorge-like valleys (gullies) and dotted with a bizarre accumulation of chalk and limestone ribbed rocks. Due to the steep slopes of the Zhiguli, from the Volga side, they look like a real mountain range stretching along the right bank for 75 km. Many peaks of the Zhiguli (Lysa Gora, Sheludyak cliff and others) have long been legends and traditions. For a long time, the Zhiguli were a favorite place of the Volga robbers. Unique landscapes with deciduous forests, rocky steppes and areas of mountain pine forests with many relic species listed in the Red Book have been preserved here. It is no coincidence that the Zhigulevsky Nature Reserve and the Samarskaya Luka National Park were formed in this area.
The left bank of the Volga (Low Trans-Volga) for many tens of kilometers is occupied by its flat floodplain terraces. From the Caspian lowland lying to the south, these plains are separated by hilly ridges - syrts, which make up the Common Syrt upland, extending far to the east into the Western Urals. From the west, the Caspian lowland is bordered by the Ergeni upland. At the foot of its steep eastern slope, dissected by a dense network of gullies, a chain of freshwater Sarpinsky lakes stretches.
The position in the east - southeast of the Russian Plain and the elongation of the region also affect the climate. The climate here is continental with significant temperature fluctuations.
In the Volga region, especially in its trans-Volga part, there are frequent droughts that are detrimental to agriculture.
The Volga also serves as a local climatic boundary. So, on the right-bank territory in relation to the Volga, winter is moderately cold and relatively snowy. Beyond the Volga, in the left-bank part, it is cold and has little snow.
What are the modern landscapes of the Volga region like?
The large extent of the Volga region determined and large spectrum natural zones. The extreme north of the region is occupied by landscapes of zones of mixed and broad-leaved forests with soddy-podzolic and gray forest soils. Due to massive cuttings and subsequent continuous plowing, these landscapes have become almost indistinguishable from more southern, also intensively developed forest-steppe landscapes.
In the Middle Volga region, the forest-steppe already in the region of Samarskaya Luka passes into the steppe. Now all this is entirely agricultural landscapes. Forests are confined exclusively to river valleys. On the other hand, shelter belts are widespread, in which many fruit trees, especially apricot trees, grow.
Most of the Lower Volga region (it includes the Volgograd and Astrakhan regions and Kalmykia) is occupied by dry (southern) steppes and semi-deserts. The farther south, the more arable land is replaced by pastures. In the coastal strip of the Caspian Sea, you can also find real desert landscapes.
Agricultural specialization changes as the landscape changes. In the Middle Volga region, especially on the right bank, a grain economy is developed with the dominance of winter wheat and rye, in some places - with sugar beets, with meat and dairy cattle breeding and pig breeding. In the drier Trans-Volga region and Lower Volga crops of cereals (spring wheat, corn, millet) and industrial crops (sunflower, mustard) and diversified animal husbandry (dairy and meat and beef cattle breeding, sheep breeding, poultry farming) are widespread. Sheep breeding is developed in the southern part of the region on dry steppe and semi-desert pastures. In the Volga-Akhtuba Valley, they specialize in melon growing, vegetable growing, horticulture and rice growing.
Rice. 102. Modern landscapes of the Volga region
What natural resources are rich in the Volga region?
Land resources are the main wealth of the Volga region. About 60% of agricultural land falls on fertile chernozem and chestnut soils. The provision of arable land per inhabitant is much higher than the average for Russia. However, there are no vacant lands left in the region, almost the entire land fund is involved in economic turnover. Main problem land resources- their susceptibility to water and wind erosion.
The Volga region is a large region of irrigated agriculture. The area of irrigated land is about a third of the total irrigation fund of Russia. The bulk of irrigated land is occupied by fodder and grain crops; Potatoes, vegetables and gourds account for few such lands.
Significant water and hydropower resources of the Volga region. The development of hydropower resources has already exceeded 70%.
The area has rich resources of valuable sturgeon and partial fish.
Among the mineral resources, the main ones are fuel and energy - oil and gas condensate; lakes Elton and Baskunchak are pantries of table salt.
One of the wealth of the region is excellent recreational resources. The picturesque banks of the Volga, a favorable climate, many historical and natural monuments attract tourists and vacationers to the Volga region.
conclusions
The Volga region has an exceptionally favorable economic and geographical position, which is primarily determined by the presence and convenient location of numerous transport routes. The natural conditions of the Volga region are determined not only by the geographical location of the region, but also by the Volga itself. In terms of the totality of natural factors, the Volga region is one of the most favorable regions of Russia for the integrated development.
Questions and tasks
- How did the favorable transport and geographical position of the region historically change? Does the importance of a particular mode of transport change over time?
- What natural areas could you single out on the territory of the Volga region? Justify your answer.
- How did the meridional configuration of the region affect the specialization of agriculture?
- Recall the features of growing winter and spring wheat. How are the areas where these crops are grown related to climatic differences in the Volga region?
- Name and briefly describe natural monuments that are characteristic only for the Volga region.
The nature of the Volga region is rich and diverse. From north to south, along the Volga, coniferous forests give way to deciduous ones, forest-steppes adjoin vast expanses of steppe, turning into arid semi-desert.
Relief
The Volga region is mainly characterized by a flat relief, with a slope from the Valdai Upland in the north of the territory to the Caspian lowland in the south. The right bank of the Volga is occupied by highlands, the average height of which is 200-250 m. The highest elevations in the Zhiguli mountains do not exceed 400 m. The slopes of these mountains fall sharply to the Volga. Heavily indented by ravines and ravines, in some places they form picturesque forms of relief - ribbed accumulations of rocks composed of limestone rocks. The left bank is flat floodplain terraces, passing syrts. Their average heights range from 100-150 m.
Geomorphological uniques
The Khvalynsky mountains (Saratov Volga region) are a paleontological monument of the Cretaceous period. Because of the calcareous deposits, the mountains are white, they are called Cretaceous. The sediments contain a huge number of remains of cephalopods that lived in the warm shallow seas of the Mesozoic era.
Samarskaya Luka, the northern elevated part of the Zhiguli Mountains (Samara Region) is a natural and historical monument of world importance, included in the UNESCO catalogs. The uniqueness lies in the fact that Luka is composed of rocks of Paleozoic origin, while the neighboring territories are composed of rocks of Mesozoic and Cenozoic age. The cause of occurrence is active tectonic movements at the beginning of the Cenozoic.
Climatic features
Most of the Volga region is located in the zone of temperate continental climate, in the south - the climate is continental. The entire territory is characterized by severe frosty winters with temperature minima down to -30-35°С, and in summer the weather is hot and dry with temperature maxima +28+37°С. Average temperatures in January rise from north to south from -16°С to -9°С, and in July from +16°С to +25°С. Precipitation in the entire Volga region falls slightly from 600 mm / year in the north of the territory, in the Middle Volga 400-450 mm / year, and in the Lower Volga region, moisture is insufficient - 200-250 mm / year. Droughts are frequent in the Left Bank.
Inland waters
rich and varied world inland waters Volga region. Main river- Volga, stretched from north to south of this natural area. This is the most abundant river, the area of its basin is more than 1300 thousand km2. On its way, the Volga receives about 200 tributaries of various sizes. The largest of them are the Oka and Kama rivers. Another major river system in the Volga region is the Don with its tributaries.
Hydrological uniques
The Big Irgiz River is the Guinness Book record holder as the most meandering river in Europe. Refers to rivers with a meandering channel, i.e. carries its waters, winding strongly along the steppe Samara and Saratov left banks.
In addition to rivers, there are many lakes in the Volga region. The Upper Volga region is especially rich in them, where the total number of lakes reaches 650. The largest is Seliger. There are also many lakes in the Lower Volga region. All of them are salty and shallow. The largest salt lakes are Elton and Baskunchak.
Limnological uniques
Lake Baskunchak. Salt reserves in Baskunchak are huge - about 2 billion tons. In addition to salt, the lake has reserves of sulfur ore and ocher, and gypsum reserves are hidden in the vicinity.
Lake Svetloyar. The lake is perfectly round. The origin of the basin has not been definitively established. The water is absolutely clear for a long time burns stored in containers and does not lose its properties.
Soils of the Volga region
Soils are the main value of the Volga region. The soil cover is represented by a huge variety of soil types. Podzolic and sod-podzolic soils develop under the coniferous and mixed forests of the Upper Volga region. Gray forest and gray forest-steppe under deciduous forests in the middle reaches of the Volga. Under the steppe herbs of the Lower Volga, the most fertile chernozem and chestnut soils were formed. They account for more than 60% of the territory.
Natural landscapes of the Volga region
The geographical position and the huge extent of the territory of the Volga region from north to south, its climatic and orographic features contributed to the emergence of a wide variety of natural zones and unique landscapes. Mixed and broad-leaved forests in the north of the Volga region are replaced by forest-steppe regions of the Middle Volga region, and the Lower Volga region is occupied by endless dry steppes and semi-deserts.
Vegetation
The flora of the Volga region is striking in its diversity. So, only on the Middle Volga grows more than 1700 species of plants. Although due to intense economic activity The vegetation of this area has been severely damaged by humans. Big number species have become Red Book and are on the verge of extinction. So, due to the plowing of lands, there were almost no rich herb steppes left, they were replaced by wormwood steppes with weeds (ragweed, mustard, dodder, etc.).
Floral uniques
The Caspian lotus is a relic plant of the Cretaceous period, originally from India. A possible way for the plant to appear on the Lower Volga is the migration of birds, in the intestines of which there could be a lotus nut. Subsequently, the seeds delivered in this way fell into the Volga delta and germinated there. The area occupied by lotuses has increased from 0.25 ha to 67 ha over the years of protection. Astrakhan Lotus Fields is a UNESCO natural heritage site.
Animal world
The Volga fauna is represented by a huge variety of forest, forest-steppe, steppe and semi-desert species. Large mammals live in oak forests and pine forests - spotted deer, elks, wild boars, wolves, foxes, raccoon dogs. There are many hares, squirrels, dormice and mink, hedgehogs. The steppe world is rich in rodents and birds of prey. Voles, ground squirrels, hamsters, marmots, lemmings, jerboas, steppe polecats are a favorite delicacy for large raptors. Steppe eagle, white-tailed eagle, black kite, golden eagle, saker falcon, serpent eagle regulate the number of steppe rodents. About 20 species of reptiles live in arid steppes and semi-deserts. Among them are a quick lizard, a round-tailed round-head, an eared round-head, a fast foot-and-mouth disease, a squeaky gecko. Lots of snakes. Dexterous anglers - snakes. Non-poisonous, but aggressive snakes. The orderly of the semi-deserts is a sandy boa. There are many poisonous snakes - vipers (common, black, Nikolsky, steppe), Pallas muzzle.
Faunistic uniques
Desman is a relict endemic, leading a semi-aquatic lifestyle. Listed in the Red Book of Russia. Once a widespread species on the planet, today it has become rare and endangered, as there are fewer and fewer places for these blind anglers to live. The reasons for the decline in numbers are numerous predators on land, for example, ferrets, otters, foxes. In the water, desmans are hunted - marsh harrier, osprey, catfish and pikes. Harm the animals and wild boars, tearing their holes. Huge harm is caused by human activities associated with changes in the water level in rivers (dams, etc.), agriculture, water intake, etc.
The black stork is a bird that leads a hidden lifestyle. Breeds in remote places of Zhiguli Mountains, settles in foothills not far from water bodies. It feeds on fish and small aquatic vertebrates, does not disdain rodents, molluscs, and reptiles. This rare beautiful bird is listed in the Red Book.
There are unique ones among the insects that live on the banks of the Volga. One of them, the stag beetle, is the largest beetle in Europe. Currently, it is a rare and endangered species. The reason for the decline in the number of this beautiful beetle is the reduction of forests.
Inhabitants of the Volga
The waters of the Volga are unusually distinguished by the rich biological diversity of the animal world. Waterfowl live and feed here all year round - connecting rod swan, white heron, gray goose, mallard, Dalmatian pelican, teal. Ducks and shorebirds nest in reeds and cattails. Huge flocks of insects, frogs, snakes, lizards find their food in the coastal waters of the Volga.
There is a huge variety of fish in the water column of the river. The ichthyofauna includes more than 100 species. Among them, pike, burbot, perch, ide and ruff live permanently in the Volga. Semi-anadromous fish pike-perch, bream, vobla and carp live in the waters rich in food at the mouth of the river, but they spawn against the current of the Volga. Stellate sturgeon, sturgeon, white fish, beluga and herring are anadromous Volga fish that constantly live in the Caspian Sea, but go up the Volga for spawning. The number of valuable sturgeons in recent times decreased sharply due to the active use of the Volga as a water body for the construction of hydroelectric power stations. Therefore, today these migratory fish are under state protection.
Unique ichthyofauna
Catfish can be considered a true Volga giant. There have been cases of catching individuals of this species, the length of which exceeded 5 m, and the weight reached 400 kg. According to researchers, the age of catfish can reach 70-80 years. The catfish actively hunts at night, and during the day it hides in the bottom pits under snags. Winters in small flocks at the bottom of the reservoir, practically does not feed.
Even more impressive is the beluga, the largest freshwater fish in the world. The weight of individual specimens reaches 1.5 tons. The life span can reach more than 100 years. This record-breaking fish is listed in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Today, its reserves are severely depleted.
Ecology
The unfavorable ecological state of the Volga has arisen due to the intensive use of its water resources in human economic activity. River flow today is heavily regulated. Seven powerful hydroelectric power plants have been built on the river, and dams have been erected. There is practically no natural river valley left. Most of it was flooded by the waters of huge reservoirs. Giant masses of water are used to irrigate the arid territories of the Lower Volga region. As a result, the nature of the river's annual runoff has changed greatly, the flow rate has decreased, and hence the ability to self-purify has decreased many times over. Water blooms are observed everywhere. This is an indicator of eutrophication of the Volga, i.e. pollution organic matter. In addition, the average temperature of the water surface has increased, which indicates that the water is depleted of oxygen, and the result is a reduction in the biodiversity of the river. In order to preserve the unique Volga nature today, it is necessary to develop a network of specially protected natural areas in this region of Russia.
According to the totality of natural factors, the Volga region belongs to the number of regions of the Russian Federation favorable for the integrated development.
The climate in the Volga region is continental. Significant fluctuations in summer and winter temperatures are observed here: the average January temperatures range from -13.6°С in Kazan to -6°С in the Volga delta, in July - from +20 to +25°С, respectively. The amount of precipitation decreases from north to south and from west to east from 500 to 300 mm. The minimum amount of precipitation falls in the Caspian lowland - from 200 to 170 mm. Anticyclones predominate in the Middle and Lower Volga regions, especially its trans-Volga part, which causes frequent droughts that adversely affect agriculture.
The Volga region is located in several natural zones. The northern part is in the zone of coniferous and mixed forests and podzolic soils. The right bank of the Volga, up to the city of Volsk (Saratov region), is occupied by the forest-steppe. On the left bank, the forest-steppe already to the south of the Samarskaya Luka passes into the steppe. The soils of the forest-steppe are gray, podzolized in the north, rich chernozems in the south. The steppe is characterized by dark chestnut, ordinary and southern chernozems. The Caspian lowland is occupied by a semi-desert, where the vegetation is represented by wormwood, grasses, saltworts, and the soils are solonetsous, light chestnut in combination with solonetzes. The Volga-Akhtuba floodplain stands out as an oasis in the semi-desert zone with fertile alluvial soils, floodplain forests and meadows.
The land fund of the district is characterized by the following structure: agricultural land - 75.6%, land in the forest fund - 10.7%, under water - 4.7%, under residential areas - 7.9% and other - 1.1%. "
The area of agricultural land is 40.6 million hectares, including arable land - 24.7 million hectares. The provision of arable land per inhabitant is 1.5 hectares, which is 0.6 hectares higher than in Russia as a whole. Almost the entire land fund in the region is involved in circulation, reserve lands make up only 0.07%.
About 60% of agricultural land falls on fertile chernozem and chestnut soils. A special problem for the land resources of the Volga region is their susceptibility to water (7.1 million hectares, or 28.6%) and wind (6.2 million hectares, or 25%) erosion. In this regard, it is necessary to introduce a complex of anti-erosion measures into production everywhere.
The region has about 5 million hectares, or 20% of arable land, which is characterized by the presence of solonetzic and saline soils, which negatively affects crop yields, especially in dry years. To eliminate increased salinity and alkalinity, it is planned to expand work on all types of land reclamation and methods of soil cultivation.
The Volga region is a large region of irrigated agriculture. As of November 1, 1990, the area of irrigated land was 1,655.3 thousand hectares, or 30% of the entire irrigation fund of Russia. However, in 1991-1996. input of irrigated lands was negligible and the disposal of irrigated lands (due to poor exploitation) outstripped input, as a result of which the area of irrigated lands decreased slightly during this period.
Irrigation is the most capital-intensive factor in the development of agriculture in the region. The main part of irrigated land is occupied by forage crops (about 70%), grains account for 22.5%, and potatoes, vegetables and melons - 4.3%. The design yield is achieved only on 50% of the used irrigated lands, which is associated with insufficiently high agricultural practices for cultivating crops on irrigated lands. The complex arrangement of reclamation systems does not meet the requirements imposed on them by agricultural users. It is also necessary to use not only water, but also "dry" melioration, no less effective in the conditions of the Volga region.
The main directions in the land use of the region should be the all-round protection of resources from negative anthropogenic processes and an increase in the return of agricultural land resources, which has now declined sharply.
The Volga region has significant water resources, the total average annual flow of rivers is estimated at 292 cubic meters. km. The local average annual flow is 68.3 cubic meters. km. The reservoirs of the region (with a useful capacity of 52 cubic km) contain a significant part of the accumulated water resources of the country. Hydropower resources amount to 8.1 million kW, the degree of their development is 73%.
The volume of water consumption in the national economy of the Volga region is about 20 cubic meters. km per year, including: evaporation from the water surface of rivers and reservoirs - more than 7 cubic meters. km. Of the total amount of water used, about 14 cubic meters. km, or more than 70%, is taken from surface sources, about 8% - from underground, and 1/5 part is obtained from adjacent territories.
In the future, due to a significant increase in water consumption, the provision of the district with water resources will sharply decrease, and in low-water conditions, the lack of water for needs National economy spread to the basins of all rivers of the region. Elimination of this deficit will require the implementation of a number of measures to save water resources.
According to the availability of forest resources, the district belongs to the sparsely forested. The forest fund is dominated by soft-leaved species. The area covered with forests increased from 3894 thousand hectares in 1973 to 3920 thousand hectares in 1983 and 4150 thousand hectares in 1993. Timber reserves increased even more year by year from 485 to 504 and 545 million cubic meters, respectively. m. The increase was due to softwood species, the cutting area for which is regularly not fully used. The use of the cutting area as a whole is 70%. In the future, the importance of forest resources will continue to be small, but the nature protection role of the Volga forests will noticeably increase.
The area has excellent recreational resources. Rest on the Volga has always been considered one of the most popular and in demand in the tourist market. Favorable climate and abundance of historical monuments of the cities of the Volga region are a powerful incentive for the development of recreational economy.
The area has a variety of biological resources, such as fodder, wild animals and birds, rich resources of valuable sturgeon and partial fish.
On the territory of the Volga region there is a part of the Volga-Ural oil base. Oil in the Volga region was discovered in the pre-war period, but began to be developed in the 50s. Before the discovery and large-scale development of oil fields in Western Siberia, the Volga region occupied the first place in the country in terms of oil reserves and production.
Geology plays an important role in the discovery and development of the oil resources of the Volga region. In addition, the technology that allowed oilmen to carry out deep drilling of wells, including in hard rocks (turbo- and electric drills), as well as modern methods of more complete oil recovery (forced increase in reservoir pressure), methods of its purification from sulfur are also of significant importance. and paraffin, which, in turn, become additional valuable commercial products. The Volga oil fields are rich in associated gases.
Currently, oil is produced almost throughout the Volga region, at more than 150 fields. The richest of them are in the Middle Volga region - in the Republic of Tatarstan (Romashkinskoye field near Almetyevsk, Novo-Elkhovskoye, Shugarovskoye and Bavlinskoye deposits) and in the left-bank part of the Samara region (approximately 130 deposits have been identified, of which 67 are being exploited). The Volga region is characterized by the concentration of the predominant part of oil and gas reserves in large fields, which makes it possible to produce a relatively small number of wells. The most significant deposits in the Samara region are Mukhanovskoye (near Otradny), Dmitrovskoye and Kuleshovskoye (Neftegorsk). There are oil fields in the Saratov and Volgograd regions.
Oil in the Volga region lies at a depth of 2 to 5 km. Often, its layers are overlapped by solid crystalline rocks, which make it difficult to drill wells. The quality of oil in the Volga region is not the same. Most of it is characterized by a high specific gravity of light fractions and aromatic hydrocarbons, which increase its value, but in some cases it contains a significant percentage of sulfur (3% or more) and paraffin. The presence of sulfur in oil and oil products leads to corrosion of pipelines, engines and pollutes the environment. Therefore, such oil is pre-cleaned.
Until recently, oil reserves in the Volga region provided raw materials for the oil refining industry not only in the Volga region, but also in other regions of the country. The Druzhba oil pipeline was laid from the Volga region to Europe. But at present, due to the depletion of reserves in the largest fields and the active development of West Siberian fields, the region's share in the total Russian oil production is constantly decreasing. However, the ongoing assessment of the oil content of the Paleozoic carbonate strata of Tatarstan showed that they contain significant oil reserves.
In the Saratov and Volgograd regions, promising areas have been discovered and prepared for deep exploratory drilling, a relatively new Nizhne-Korobkovskoye field is being developed near Volgograd, and industrial accumulations of oil and gas are known in the Republic of Kalmykia.
For oil production, coal and carbonate deposits along the northern waters of the Caspian Sea are promising. The newly discovered oil horizons will help keep oil production at a high level. Consequently, the area will remain an important oil base for the country.
Volgograd and Saratov regions stand out as natural gas deposits. The largest gas condensate field discovered and operated in the Astrakhan region. This field is unique in terms of the composition of its oil and gas products. Natural gas is also available in the Republic of Kalmykia. Associated petroleum gases are also produced in the region.
In the last decade, the role of the Volga region as an oil-producing region has changed. The most accessible and efficient deposits are depleted. Oil production decreased from 112.8 million tons in 1980 to 55.6 million tons in 1990 and to 42.5 million tons in 1995. Due to the depletion of reserves, the Volga region is experiencing a shortage of oil and is forced to increasingly use western Siberian oil.
From 1980 to 1990 gas production in the region decreased from 9 to 6.4 billion cubic meters. The depletion of gas reserves is planned to be replenished at the expense of the Astrakhan field and fields in the Republic of Kalmykia. The limiting factor in the development of these fields is the lack of domestic equipment with increased resistance to aggressive gas components.
By 1995, there was a drop in the production of primary energy resources from 105 million tons of fuel equivalent. m. in the mid-80s. up to 65 mln tce t. Consumption of fuel and energy resources increased accordingly from 130 to 160 million tce. tons. As follows from the analysis of the expenditure part of the balance of energy resources, more than 50% of the total consumption falls on gas and oil.
Thus, there is a real deficit in the production of its own primary resources in the region, so it is necessary to restrain the growth of energy-intensive industries.
The reserves of oil shale in the region are quite large in the Samara and Saratov regions, but the cost of production is high, so their use as fuel is unprofitable. Shales of the Kashpirskoye deposit are used in the pharmaceutical industry.
There are brown coals in the Republic of Tatarstan, but they are not yet developed.
The Volga region has significant resources of chemical raw materials. In the Samara region there is native sulfur, the main deposits of which are Alekseevskoye, Vodninskoye, Syreyskoye, etc. In the Volgograd and Astrakhan regions in the lakes Elton and Baskunchak there are reserves of table salt containing various valuable components. These types of raw materials are the basis for the development of chlorine, soda, as well as other branches of the chemical and powerful salt industries.
The area is rich in mineral building materials. The reserves of glass sand and cement raw materials are especially large. For example, marls are concentrated near Volsk (Saratov region) and are used for the production of high grade cement; chalk, clays are found in the Saratov region near Volynsk and Khvalynsk, in the Samara region near Syzran and Zhigulevsk.
Astrakhan, Volgograd, Penza, Samara, Saratov, Ulyanovsk regions, the Republic of Tatarstan, the Republic of Kalmykia-Khalmg-Tangch.
Economic and geographical position
The Volga region stretches for almost 1.5 thousand km along the great Russian river Volga, from the confluence of the Kama into it to the Caspian Sea. Territory - 536 thousand km 2. The EGP of this area is exceptionally favorable. A network of transport routes connects it with the most important economic regions of the country. The axis of this network - the Volga-Kama river route - gives access to the Caspian, Azov, Black, Baltic, White and Barents Seas. The use of oil and gas pipelines also contributes to the improvement of the region's EGP.
Natural conditions and resources
The Volga region has favorable natural conditions and is rich in water (Volga and its tributaries) and land resources, located in a temperate climate. However, the area is unevenly provided with moisture. In the lower reaches of the Volga, there are droughts, accompanied by dry winds that are detrimental to crops. Most of the region has fertile soils and extensive pastures.
The relief of the Volga region is different. Western part(right bank) - elevated, hilly (Volga Upland, turning into low mountains in the south). The eastern (left bank) is a low, slightly hilly plain, more forested and monotonous.
The relief and climatic conditions determine the diversity of soils and vegetation. Nature is varied. In the latitudinal direction, forests, forest-steppes, steppes are replaced, which are then replaced by sultry semi-deserts.
The area is rich in minerals: oil, gas, sulfur, salt, building materials (limestone, gypsum, sand).
Oil is produced in Tataria, Samara region, gas - in Saratov, Volgograd, Astrakhan (gas condensate field) regions. Table salt is mined on Lake Baskunchak.
Population
The population of the Volga region is multinational, it is 16.6 million people. The average population density is 30 people. per 1 km 2. It is much higher in the middle reaches of the Volga on the right bank. The minimum population density (4 people per 1 km 2) is in Kalmykia.
The Russian population prevails. The population of the Republic of Tatarstan is 3.7 million people. (among them Russians - 43%); 327 thousand people live in Kalmykia (the share of Russians is more than 30%). The urban population is concentrated mainly in major cities located on the Volga (urbanization rate - 73%). Millionaire cities - Samara, Kazan, Volgograd. The Volga region is provided with labor resources.
economy
The main branches of specialization of the Volga region- oil and oil refining, gas and chemical industries, complex mechanical engineering, electric power industry and production of building materials.
Volga region occupies 2nd place in Russia after the West Siberian economic region in oil and gas production. The amount of oil and gas produced exceeds the needs of the region, so oil and gas pipelines have been laid to the west, including abroad. It is also an area with a developed oil refining industry, not only for its own oil, but also for oil from Western Siberia. There are 6 oil refineries (Syzran, Samara, Volgograd, Nizhnekamsk). Refineries and petrochemistry are closely related. Along with natural gas, associated gas is extracted and processed (used in the chemical industry).
The Volga region specializes in the production of electricity, which supplies other regions of Russia. Energy is provided by hydroelectric power plants of the Volga-Kama cascade (Volzhskaya near Samara, Saratovskaya, Nizhnekamskaya and Volzhskaya near Volgograd, etc.). Thermal stations operate on local raw materials, and the Balakovo (Saratov) and Tatar nuclear power plants have also been built (the construction of the latter caused public protests).
The chemical industry of the Volga region is represented by mining and chemical (extracting sulfur and common salt), chemistry of organic synthesis, and production of polymers. The largest centers: Nizhnekamsk, Samara, Kazan, Syzran, Saratov, Volzhsky, Tolyatti. In the industrial hubs of Samara-Togliatti, Saratov-Engels, Volgograd-Volzhsky, energy and petrochemical cycles have developed. In them, the production of energy, oil products, alcohols, synthetic rubber, and plastics are geographically close.
The needs of the energy, oil and gas and chemical industries have accelerated the development of mechanical engineering. Developed transport links, the availability of qualified personnel, the proximity to the Central District necessitated the creation of instrument and machine-tool factories (Penza, Samara, Ulyanovsk, Saratov, Volzhsky, Kazan). Aircraft industry is represented in Samara, Saratov.
But the automotive industry is especially distinguished in the Volga region: Ulyanovsk (UAZ cars), Tolyatti (Zhiguli), Naberezhnye Chelny (heavy trucks), Engels (trolleybuses). In Volgograd - the country's largest tractor plant.
The importance of the food industry remains in the region. The Caspian and the mouth of the Volga are the most important inland fishing basin. However, it should be noted that with the development of petrochemistry, chemistry and the construction of large machine-building plants, the ecological state of the Volga River has deteriorated sharply.
Agro-industrial complex. In the forest and semi-desert zone, the leading role in agriculture belongs to animal husbandry. In the forest-steppe and steppe zone - crop production (primarily grain farming). This part of the Volga region also has the highest plowing (up to 50%) of the territory. The grain district is located approximately from the latitude of Kazan to the latitude of Samara (rye, winter wheat), meat and dairy cattle breeding is also developed here. Industrial crops are widespread, for example, mustard crops account for 90% of crops in the Russian Federation. Sheep farms are located south of Volgograd. In the interfluve of the Volga and Akhtuba (downstream), vegetables and gourds are grown.
Fuel and energy complex,(see Electric power industry). The area is provided with fuel. The power industry of the region is of republican importance - it supplies other regions of the country (hydroelectric power stations on Yoolga and Kama, thermal power plants, nuclear power plants).
Transport. The transport network of the region is formed by the Volga and the roads crossing it. The Volga-Donskoy and other shipping channels provide access to the seas. The modern Volga is a chain of reservoirs. But the Volga way is seasonal (the river freezes in winter). An important role is played by railways and roads, as well as gas and oil pipelines.
Astrakhan, Volgograd, Penza, Samara, Saratov, Ulyanovsk regions. Republics of Tatarstan and Kalmykia.
Economic and geographical position.
The Volga region stretches for almost 1.5 thousand km along the Volga from the confluence of the left tributary of the Kama to the Caspian Sea. Territory - 536 thousand km 2.
The EGP of this area is exceptionally profitable. The Volga region directly borders on the highly developed Volga-Vyatka, Central Black Earth, Ural and North Caucasian economic regions of the Russian Federation, as well as on Kazakhstan. A dense network of transport routes (railway and road) contributes to the establishment of broad inter-district production links in the Volga region. Volga-Kama river route - gives access to the Caspian, Azov, Black, Baltic, White seas. The presence of rich oil and gas deposits, the use of pipelines passing through this area, also confirms the profitability of the area's EGP.
Natural conditions and resources.
The Volga region has favorable natural conditions for living and farming. The climate is temperate continental. The region is rich in land and water resources. However, in the lower Volga region there are droughts, accompanied by dry winds that are detrimental to crops.
The relief of this region is varied. The western part (the right bank of the Volga) is elevated, hilly (the Volga Upland turns into low mountains). The eastern part (left bank) is a slightly hilly plain.
The natural and climatic conditions, the terrain, and the large length of the region in the meridional direction determine the diversity of soils and vegetation. In the latitudinal direction from north to south, natural zones successively replace each other - forest, forest-steppe, steppe, then replaced by sultry semi-deserts.
The area is rich in minerals. They extract oil, gas, sulfur, table salt, raw materials for the production of building materials. Until the discovery of oil fields in Western Siberia, the Volga region occupied the first place in terms of oil reserves and production in the country. Currently, the region ranks second in the production of this type of raw material after the West Siberian. The main oil resources are located in Tatarstan and the Samara region, and gas - in the Saratov, Volgograd and Astrakhan regions.
Population.
The population of the Volga region is 16.9 million people. The average population density is 30 people per 1 km 2, but it is unevenly distributed. More than half of the population is in Samara, Saratov region and Tatarstan. In the Samara region, the population density is the highest - 61 people per 1 km 2, and in Kalmykia - the minimum (4 people per 1 km 2).
Russians predominate in the national structure of the population. Tatars and Kalmyks live compactly. The proportion of Chuvash and Mari among the inhabitants of the region is noticeable. The population of the Republic of Tatarstan is 3.7 million people. (among them Russians - about 40%). About 320 thousand people live in Kalmykia. (the share of Russians is more than 30%).
The Volga region is an urbanized region. 73% of all residents live in cities and urban-type settlements. The vast majority of the urban population is concentrated in regional centers, capitals of national republics and large industrial cities. Among them are the millionaire cities of Samara, Kazan, Volgograd.
Economy.
In terms of the level of development of a number of industries, the region is not much inferior to highly industrial regions, such as Central and Ural, and in some cases even surpasses them. This is one of the leading regions of the oil-producing, oil-refining and petrochemical industries. The Volga region is the largest region of diversified agriculture. The district accounts for 20% of the gross grain harvest. The Volga economic region is distinguished by great activity in Russia's foreign economic relations.
The main branches of specialization of the industry of the Volga region are oil and oil refining, gas and chemical, as well as electric power, complex engineering and the production of building materials.
The Volga region ranks second in Russia after the West Siberian economic region in terms of oil and gas production. The amount of extracted fuel resources exceeds the needs of the region. Favorable transport and geographical position of the region led to the emergence of a whole system of main oil pipelines running both in the western and eastern directions, many of which are now of international importance.
The formation of a new oil base in Western Siberia changed the orientation of the main oil flows. Now the pipelines of the Volga region are "turned" entirely to the west.
The oil refineries of the region (Syzran, Samara, Volgograd, Nizhnekamsk, Novokuibyshevsk, and others) process not only their own oil, but also oil from Western Siberia. Refineries and petrochemistry are closely related. Along with natural gas, associated gas is extracted and processed, which is used in the chemical industry.
The chemical industry of the Volga region is represented by mining chemistry (extraction of sulfur and table salt), chemistry of organic synthesis, and production of polymers. The largest centers: Nizhnekamsk, Samara, Kazan, Syzran, Saratov, Volzhsky, Tolyatti. In the industrial hubs of Samara - Tolyatti, Saratov - Engels, Volgograd - Volzhsky, energy and petrochemical production cycles have developed. In them, the production of energy, oil products, alcohols, synthetic rubber, and plastics are geographically close.
The development of energy, oil and gas and chemical industries accelerated the development of engineering in the area. Developed transport links, the availability of qualified personnel, the proximity to the Central District necessitated the creation of instrument and machine-tool factories (Penza, Samara, Ulyanovsk, Saratov, Volzhsky, Kazan). The aircraft industry is represented in Samara and Saratov. But the automotive industry stands out especially in the Volga region. The most famous are Ulyanovsk (UAZ cars), Tolyatti (Zhiguli), Naberezhnye Chelny (KAMAZ trucks), Engels (trolleybuses).
The importance of the food industry remains. The Caspian and the mouth of the Volga are the most important inland fishing basin of Russia. However, it should be noted that with the development of petrochemistry, chemistry and the construction of large machine-building plants, the ecological state of the Volga River has deteriorated sharply.
Agro-industrial complex.
On the territory of the region, located in the forest and semi-desert natural zones, the leading role in agriculture belongs to animal husbandry. In the forest-steppe and steppe zone - crop production.
It is the regions of the Middle Volga region that have the highest plowing of the territory (up to 50%). The grain district is located approximately from the latitude of Kazan to the latitude of Samara (rye and winter wheat are grown). Industrial crops are widespread, for example, mustard crops make up 90% of the crops of this crop in Russia. Animal husbandry of the meat and dairy direction is also developed here.
Sheep farms are located south of Volgograd. In the interfluve of the Volga and Akhtuba, vegetables and gourds are grown, as well as rice.
Fuel and energy complex.
The region is fully provided with fuel resources (oil and gas). The power industry of the region is of republican importance. The Volga region specializes in the production of electricity (more than 10% of the total Russian production), which it also supplies to other regions of Russia.
The basis of the energy economy is the hydropower plants of the Volga-Kama cascade (Volzhskaya near Samara, Saratov, Nizhnekamskaya, Volzhskaya near Volgograd, etc.). The cost of energy generated at these HPPs is the lowest in the European part of the Russian Federation.
Numerous thermal stations located in cities where oil refining and petrochemistry are developed use local raw materials (fuel oil and gas). In the total electricity production, the share of thermal power plants is approximately 3/5. The largest thermal power plant in the region is the Zainskaya GRES in Tatarstan, which runs on gas.
The Balakovo (Saratov) NPP also operates.
Transport.
The transport network of the district is formed by the Volga and the roads and railways crossing it, as well as a network of pipelines and power lines. The Volga-Don Canal connects the waters of the largest rivers in the European part of Russia - the Volga and the Don (exit to the Sea of Azov).
The region's oil and gas is supplied through pipelines to the regions of Central Russia and to the countries of the "near" and "far" abroad. The Druzhba oil pipeline system is of international importance - from Almetyevsk through Samara, Bryansk to Mozyr (Belarus), then the oil pipeline branches into 2 sections: the northern one - through the territory of Belarus, then to Poland, Germany and the southern one - through the territory of Ukraine, then to Hungary, Slovakia. The oil pipeline has a branch - Unecha-Polotsk- Ventspils (Lithuania), Mazeikiai (Latvia)