The Kola Peninsula: Politics, Society, International Networks

Abstract

Murmansk Oblast, which covers the geographical area of the Kola Peninsula, is a prime example of the Soviet industrial and military adventure. While permanent settlements had been established in the sixteenth century, the Kola Peninsula was inhabited by only a few thousand people when World War I started. By the end of the Cold War, its population had reached well beyond one million, it had the world’s largest stockpiles of nuclear warheads, it was the country’s most developed fish-processing region — and had gained notoriety in the West for the state of its environment. Panning forwards two decades, the region is considered by many to be one of the world’s most promising new energy provinces.

What resources! What a country! And it was all given to Vanya and Masha.¹ Imagine if all this had been given to a France or an Italy, they would have created a mighty empire (derzhava)! But no. God knows how to divide things up and share them out.²