Russian village… For some it is a relic of the agrarian past, for others it is the keeper of the Russian soul. One way or another, on average, urbanization “eats up” three villages in the country every year. What are the reasons for the extinction and degradation of the Russian village? How many villages are there in Russia today? And which of them are the most beautiful? You will find answers to all these questions in our article.
Unemployment, hopelessness, discouragement…
The modern Russian village is most often described with such unpleasant words. Broken asph alt, fragmentarily left over from prosperous Soviet times, abandoned farms, destroyed houses of culture, dirt, lack of lighting and central sewerage - this is typical for most of the villages and villages of today's Russia. Of course, there are pleasant exceptions. But they are catastrophically few.
Many villages in Russia, in view of the vast area of the latter, are literally cut off from any benefits of civilization. They may be located in severalhundreds of kilometers from the nearest city or regional center. In such villages, people, like a hundred or two hundred years ago, live by subsistence farming: they sow fields, raise livestock, fish, hunt and drink strong tea from real samovars.
A classic example of the "Russian hinterland" is the so-called Red Coast. This is an area consisting of three villages, lost in the middle of the coniferous forests of the Vologda region. Their total population is 10 people. In fact, there are no roads to these settlements. In winter it can only be overcome by snowmobile, and in summer (after heavy rain) only by tractor. Water - from springs, light - from kerosene lamps, generator - one for three villages.
And how many similar villages are scattered across the expanses of vast Russia - it's hard to say.
Russian village: in facts and figures
Next, we have collected for you some statistical facts that clearly demonstrate the situation with the rural population in the country:
- As of the beginning of 2018, 19.1% of the total population of the Russian Federation lives in rural areas.
- Between 2002 and 2010 (between the last two censuses) the number of depopulated villages in Russia has grown by 6,000.
- Today there are about 150 thousand rural settlements in the country.
- About half of them have no more than 100 people.
- 17 thousand Russian villages have no permanent population.
- The average density of the rural population in Russia is 2 people/sq. km.
- Maximumthe percentage of the rural population is observed in the Krasnodar Territory - almost 45%.
- The largest villages are located in the North Caucasus.
- The largest village in Russia by population is Novaya Usman. 27.5 thousand people live here.
The reasons for the extinction of the Russian village
Degradation of the countryside is one of the most acute socio-economic problems of modern Russia. In the last twenty years, the country's rural population has been steadily declining. And not only due to natural decline (high mortality against the background of low birth rates), but also due to the colossal migration outflow.
Young people categorically do not want to live in the village, trying by any means available to escape to the capital or the nearest large city. As a result, in many Russian villages only old people and openly asocial elements remain. The share of depopulated villages in some subjects of the Russian Federation has already reached 20%.
Why is the Russian village dying out? There are several reasons:
- High unemployment.
- Degradation of social infrastructure (lack of schools, kindergartens, clinics, etc.).
- Lower standard of living compared to urban environment.
- Frequent lack of housing and communal services (sewerage, gasification, lighting, Internet, etc.).
To revive the Russian village and return young people to it, a comprehensive state program is required to save it and further develop it. Of course, for thiscolossal funds are also needed.
The most beautiful villages in Russia: list
Let's try to finish our article on a positive note. Not all villages in Russia look dull and hopeless. Some of them are able to surprise with their color, authentic spirit and original architecture. Listed below are five ancient Russian villages that are definitely worth visiting at least once in your life:
- Varzuga, Murmansk region. The village arose in the middle of the 15th century. Atlantic Salmon Fishing Center.
- Big Kunaley, Buryatia. A fairly large village, reminiscent of its appearance an illustration to a collection of children's fairy tales. The design of all the local houses is exactly the same: brown walls, blue windows, green fences.
- Vershinino, Arkhangelsk region. Traditional village of the Russian North. It is famous for its unique and perfectly preserved architecture of the 17th-18th centuries.
- Okunevo, Omsk region. A colorful, amazing and mystical village, in which adherents of five different religions found refuge at once. The village is a place of attraction for all lovers of esotericism and meditation.
- Yelovo, Perm region. Ecologically clean village, located on the banks of the Kama. It amazes all guests not only with magnificent natural landscapes, but also with its landscaping. There is asph alt, walking paths, flower beds and playgrounds.
In conclusion…
The process of rural extinction is not a unique Russian phenomenon. In general, it is similar to similarprocesses in other countries and regions of the planet. But, in spite of everything, the Russian village is still alive, with all its advantages and disadvantages. And, hopefully, in the near future it will begin to revive. After all, as one old Russian proverb says: “The city is the kingdom, and the village is paradise.”
