ИСТИНА

The purpose of this contribution is a geohistorical analysis of the migration frontiers of Russia, starting since the 16th century. In the study of the historical geography of migrations, the author widely used the frontier theory introduced into scientific discourse by the American historian F.D. Turner (1861-1932). The concept of “frontier” is considered in this study in two complementary meanings: 1) as a historically moving border between previously developed territories and areas of new development and 2) as a historically changing space for the encounter and interaction of different cultures, ethnic groups, languages, religions, and ways of life. Particular attention is paid to the comparative characteristics of migration flows from the historical core of the country to the areas of new development and border regions of the Russian Empire (18th century – early 20th century). The specific features of the northern, eastern (Siberian), southeastern and southern frontiers in migrations from the historical center of Russia are characterized, and a comparison of different frontier zones is made. A separate object of research is the Russian and Russian-speaking population of the independent states of Central Asia and the South Caucasus, which was formed through the process of migration over several centuries. The stages of its formation, settlement features, cultural and geographical specifics, as well as the legacy of the frontier in the identity of Russian and Russian-speaking migrants and the processes of their socio-cultural adaptation to a foreign ethnic milieu and their integration into the “host” nations in the countries of Central Asia and the South Caucasus are considered.