Schematics of Russia’s averaged regions: Modeling attempted “from below”

Abstract

An inductive approach is proposed and implemented to model (schematize) an averaged region of contemporary Russia, its main macrozones, and the part of it that approximately corresponds to the Russian Empire in the late 19th century. The main technique is the averaging of statistical indicators and, if possible, spatial structures of 82 regions close to the federal subjects, as well as 47 gubernatorial units at the end of the 19th century according to six selected groups of features (properties): from the geographical shape and composition of a region’s external contour to the number and pattern of transport arteries and natural watercourses. The results are visualized as maplike schematics, or cartoids. The stages and techniques of filling the schematics with content, that is, with property groups and respective thematic image layers are described. The present day regions are assessed by the degree of their correspondence to the model cartoid according to 24 indicators; cases and grounds for strong deviation are identified. In conclusion, problems and capabilities of applying the proposed idea are briefly discussed, e.g., for “geographizing” regional and national typologies.