The Economic-Geographical Position of Irkutsk Region: Features and Impact on the Economic Development
Author(s)
L. A. Bezrukov
Abstract
Comprehensive characteristics of the geographical position of Irkutsk region with the analysis of both main components – physical-geographical position (PGP) and economic-geographical position (EGP) are considered. The main characteristics of the PGP of the Irkutsk region relative to some large natural features and objects like equator, prime meridian, oceans, seas, typical landform (high-altitude position), units of physiographic regions of the world and terrestrial ecosystem, drainage basin of the main rivers and main drainage divides etc. The specially developed method, depending on the terrestrial evaluation scales, is used for the study of EGP of Irkutsk region. The method includes the study of: the over-macrolocation relative to the sea routs and main world markets, international transit and neighboring macrolocation, domestic macrolocation (within Russia), meso-position among neighboring Siberian and Far Eastern regions, microlocation relative to the boundaries with adjacent regions, intraregional differences in position.
An adverse impact of the over-macroposition and domestic macroposition on the regional economics (due to the remoteness from the sea routs, main world markets and the main centers of the country), which causes an increased level of transportation costs. Possible benefits of the international transit macroposition of Irkutsk region between Western Europe and East Asia, the benefits and risks of the international neighboring macroposition in terms of expansion and deepening of foreign trade cooperation, particularly with China are considered. The analysis of the mesoposition of Irkutsk region includes the finding of the favorable opportunities of the effective cooperation of its natural resources with the resources of the neighboring regions and the establishment of Irkutsk region as a support base for the further development of Transbaikal, Yakutia and Far Eastern regions. A relatively poor infrastructure network between the borders of the neighboring regions which complicates the implementation of interregional economic relations is considered. Interregional differences of the EGP defined by the basic economic-settlement patterns.
Keywords
geographical position, Irkutsk region, economic development, economic-settlement patterns
UDC
911.3(571.53)
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