The Most Extreme Points of Russia

Russia is the world’s largest country with a landmass of about 6.32 million sqm representing 10.995% of the earth’s landmass. Its boundaries extend across the Eurasian continental plate. The country’s European portion makes it the largest state in Europe while its Asian portion makes it the largest in Asia. The country has 11 time zones between Big Diomede Island in the east and Narmeln in the west. The following are the extreme points of Russia.

Northernmost Point in Russia

The northernmost point of Russia is Cape Fligery in Rudolf Island. It is also the northernmost point of Europe and the Eurasian continent. Cape Fligery lies 566 miles from the North pole. On the other hand, Cape Chelyuskin is the northernmost point in mainland Russia and mainland Eurasia. The cape makes up the tip of the Taymyr Peninsula and is located 850 miles from the north pole. Between 1950-52 Uranium was mined in Cape Chelyuskin. The Arctic port town of Pevek in Chaunskaya Bay in the northernmost town in the country while the Dikson in Krasnoyarsk Krai is the northernmost urban-type settlement.

Southernmost Point in Russia

The southernmost point of Russia is a peak in Mount Bazardüzü in the Republic of Dagestan, southern Russia. The mountain is part of the Caucasus Mountain Range and demarcates the border between Russia and Kazakhstan. Dagestan is a semi-autonomous region in Southern Russia. In February 2018 the government of Dagestan was disbanded and the territory placed under the direct control of the federal government. The city of Derbent in the same region is the southernmost city while the mountain village of Kurush is the southernmost settlement.

Westernmost Point in Russia

The westernmost point of Russia is the abandoned village of Narmeln/ Polski, in Kaliningrad Oblast on the border with Poland. Narmeln was ceded to the Soviet Union after WWII as part of the Treaty of Potsdam. The village was inhabited during the war but later depopulated. The village of Lavry in Pechorsky is the westernmost part of mainland Russia. The seaport town of Baltiysk in Kaliningrad Oblast is the westernmost town and is mainly used by the ferries and naval ships. Baltiysk is also the westernmost inhabited region of Russia.

Easternmost Point in Russia

The easternmost point of Russia is Big Diomede Island. Big Diomede is one of the two islands that make up the Diomede Island. The other half, Little Diomede, is part of the United States. The Diomede Islands are located in the Bering Strait that demarcates the boundary between Russian and the US. Although 2.33 miles separate the islands, they are 21 hours apart. Cape Dezhnyov is the easternmost point of mainland Russia. The cape lies on the on the Chukchi Peninsula between the Bering Strait and the Chukchi Sea. The port town of Anadyr on the bank of Anadyr River is the easternmost urban environment in Russia. The village of Uelen Chukotsky is the easternmost settlement in Russia. Less than 1,000 people inhabit the village.

Highest Point in Russia

Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus Mountains Range is the highest point in Russia with an elevation of 18,510 ft. It is also the highest point in Europe and the tenth highest in the world. It is located in the southern part of the country near the border with Georgia. Klyuchevskaya Sopka is the highest point in the Asian part of Russia with an elevation of 15,580 ft. The volcanic mountain is located on the Kamchatka Peninsula.

Lowest Point in Russia

The lowest point in Russia is the Caspian Sea with a surface elevation of -28. Surface elevation refers to the elevation of the landmass in relation to the mean sea level. Positive figures represent altitudes higher than the sea level while negative figures represent altitudes below the sea level. The Caspian Sea is the largest water body enclosed by land and is sometimes classified as the world's largest lake.