Most of Russia’s land lies in the East, but most of its people live in the West. 1. About three-quarters of Russia’s landmass lies on the Asian side of the Urals. 2. In contrast, about 78% of Russia’s population lives on the European side. 3. In other words, the European part of Russia has three-fourths of the entire countries population — and one-fourth of the land area. 4. As a result, the population density of Russia’s two continental regions is vastly different. 5. European Russia has a population density of about 26 people per sq. kilometer — which is only about a tenth of Germany’s 229 people per sq. kilometer. 6. Meanwhile, Asian Russia’s population density is only 2.5 people per sq. kilometer. — one of the least densely populated regions on earth. 7. Two of European Russia’s cities, Moscow (12 million) and St. Petersburg (5 million), account for 12% of Russia’s total population of 143 million. 8. Moscow and St. Petersburg also play a significant role in the Russian economy, accounting for about 25% of the country’s GDP.