Lumbering is the main occupation of the people in areas, which are easily accessible. In Siberia and parts of Canada, the forest resources have not been utilized. In Scandinavia, parts of Russia and Canada, forests are utilized systematically. Cleared areas are replanted so that the yield of timber is sustained for the future. The logs are used for manufacture of wood pulp, paper, newsprint, synthetic fibers, matches and furniture.
Cultivation of barley, oats and potatoes is limited to the Southern margins of the region. Short growing season does not favor agriculture on a large scale. Hunting of fur bearing animals like musk-rat (musquash), ermine and silver fox and fishing are other economic activities. Some of the fur bearing animals are reared in fur farms in Canada and Siberia. While lumbering is common during winter, fishing is practiced in the short summer season, when the snow cover melts.
Mining is also one of the most important occupations of the people of this region. Iron, uranium, nickel, copper, cobalt, gold and silver in Canada, iron ore of the highest quality in Sweden, coal and petroleum in the Pechora basin are somewhat very important minerals which have improved the economy of the concerned countries. Streams and lakes being abundant. Water is being utilized for generating hydroelectric power and is commonly used for pulp and paper industries. Canada tops in the manufacturing of the pulp. In Sweden and Russia pulp-making and manufacturing of textile, shoes and metal goods are the main industrial activities.
Urban population in the sub-arctic regions is not centered. Only a few urban centres have one lakh or more people. In Russia along the trans-Siberian railway rail road one big centre of population density is Murmansk with a population nearing two million. Irkutsk, with about 300,000 people, is the largest city, along the trans Siberian rail road. The future of the region is bright as the resources of water, minerals, furs and forests are being harnessed and this is definitely going to attract the people despite hard hitting winter cold and trying conditions.
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page", St. Augustine said. Here at www.travel-university.org we believe that every page must be read and explored. Travel is an avenue of learning that no text or classroom can teach. The world is a living classroom and you the student. We invite you to the www.travel-university.org library where you can read general interest and detail oriented articles.
