RUSSIAN SETTLEMENTS IN THE COASTAL AREA OF THE SELENGA RIVER IN THE 17–19th CENTURIES

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of this work is to determine the patterns of urban planning in Siberian settlements in the coastal area of the Ob-Yenisei waterway. The paper considers the fragment of the route from Lake Baikal to Mongolia border, along the Selenga River. The differences are identified for the settlement type, number and location along the Selenga River in the 17–19th centuries.Design/methodology/approach. Research is based on the collection of maps and archival documents as well as electronic resources from the largest libraries of Russia. All settlement types are tied to a modern satellite map using the free and open-source cross-platform desktop geographic information system QGIS with regard to the main settlement stages in Transbaikal.Research findings. Three main chronological settlements are identified, which are studied allowing for the internal territorial ties, hierarchy and territorial distribution of compact groups of settlements. Spatial interconnections directly depend on the settlement formation and transport routes. The settlement development is progressive and oriented towards an increase in the number of small and medium-sized settlements, compact residential groups, cross-cultural interaction with Buryat settlements and colonies of Russian settlers.