Typological differences between the coastal regions of Russia's Western borderlands
Abstract
The “gravitational force” of the sea is an important factor in regional development, and though it has not been sufficiently studied, it has received increasing attention in the last two decades. The article focuses on the economic features of 11 federal subjects of the Russian Federation located along its maritime borders in the west of the Arctic, Baltic and Azov-Black Sea basins. The regions under study vary from each other, but each of them plays a vital role in the country's economy. The author aims to identify their typological differences in order to improve federal and regional policy towards to the coastal regions of the Western Borderlands. To attain the goal, first, the types of regions under study were identified (according to the selected typological features reflecting the main natural and socio-economic characteristics of the regions) then GRP level, structure and growth rates were considered. The analysis resulted in the overall assessment of the socio-economic situation in regions of different types. Considering the typological features of the regions, the prospects for their future development based on the strengthening of the coastal factor are outlined.