ABSTRACT
The great dispersion of industry, mining, and, to a lesser extent, agriculture, has depended upon the provision of transport in under-developed areas and the rapid improvement of existing facilities in other areas. The share of road transport has, however, risen considerably since 1945, and it is already claiming some of the short-haul railway traffic, particularly of passengers with the extension of town and country bus services. Railways distribute most of the petroleum unloaded from Volga river boats for consumption in the Centre and North, while railway transport is also provided for petroleum for Western European Russia landed from Caucasia at Odessa and other Ukrainian ports. Measured in terms of traffic, water transport is the second most important haulier; but despite substantial increases in total traffic, the share of water transport has fallen greatly since 1913. The Glavsevmorput operates large numbers of aircraft to transport personnel and supplies between the Arctic bases and other northern centres.
