A comparison was made of climatic situations for two 33-yr periods: 1945-1977 and 1978-2010, as evidenced of significant changes in thermal and precipitation regimes in different agro-ecological regions of Russia. This enabled us to identify a number of analogous regions (with similar soil sub-types) determining the spatial shift in agroclimatic conditions with simultaneous movement of risk farming boundaries. The identification of farming risks was carried out as related to the change in the baseline climate and those associated with extreme climatic events. It was shown that such a kind of risks could superimpose and even create a threat of greater economic damages. Moreover, it was pointed to the opportunity of applying the spatial-temporal analogues method to the adaptation strategies in the context of impending climatic changes.

The geographical conception of economic mastering of the territory created in Soviet period, in the era of rapid development of information networks, needs some refinements. The general idea about information-network mastering of the territory is formulated. The model of information-network expansion is used for an assessment of the level of mastering. Two indexes by means of which it is possible to identify such models are introduced. On the example of postal network of pre-Soviet Siberia the models reproducing expansion of the network in 1782-1916 are revealed. For different stages of development the regional models are defined. The similarity assessment between model and real process of network expansion is given.

As a result of the complex researches conducted in basins of the Upper and Middle Don, Middle Volga and the Lower Kama the detailed lithology-geochemical, paleopaedological and paleontological data characterizing the newest deposits of a variety of stratotypical and basic cuts, has been received. It formed a basis for facial-genetic differentiation, partition and correlation of the allocated horizons which are chronologically coordinated by means of the paleopaedological and paleontological data with Pleistocene timeline. It allowed to execute the paleogeographic reconstruction of soil cover and environment at the period from an early Pleistocene up to Holocene inclusive; to form the rhythmoclimatic justification of a stratigraphic partition of the latest deposits in the considerable territory of the East European plain.

The ethnic structure of the population of St. Petersburg has undergone significant changes over the past 10 years. As a result of the assimilation, the quantity of population and proportion of a number of several ethnic groups (Ukrainians, Belarusians, Tatars, Jews, etc.) in the city has dropped significantly. At the same time, the influx of migrants from outside Russia led to a significant increase of the number of representatives of the peoples from the South Caucasus and Central Asia. This paper considers the placement of the territory of St. Petersburg of representatives of the ten most numerous (after Russians) national diasporas. The analysis is performed on 108 municipalities of St. Petersburg according to the 2010 census. As an indicator of the uneven distribution of population authors developed an ethnic localization ratio, calculated as the deviation of the proportion of members of a certain ethnic group from the average rate over the city. The paper shows the differences in the territorial preferences of choosing a place of residence of representatives of different ethnic groups; the correlation coefficients according to territorial concentration of national diasporas were calculated. The authors suggest a typology of municipalities based on the preferences of the most numerous ethnic diasporas of St. Petersburg to settlement priorities.

Oceans is an area of international studies, where one and the same form of relief can be opened, investigated and called at different times by different researchers. Until the recent time there was some confusion concerning the names of guyots of the Magellan Mountains in the Pacific Ocean. As a result of systematic studies by the research vessel Gelendzhik from 2000 to 2010 the detailed data were obtained. These data allowed us to prepare a reasonable offer and apply for the official names of seamounts to GEBCO Sub-Committee on Undersea Feature Names. These requests were granted. Thus, the official names were formalized for the unnamed at the time guyots. Assigned names were accepted to use by international organizations operating under the auspices of the UN. Naming the underwater landforms located in the International area of the ocean floor, establishes priority of Russian research in this area.

The article considers the questions of the origin, formation and subsequent development of the system of state professional education in the field of astronomy, geodesy and cartography in Russia.