How come Russia did not discover North America?
Russia did have explorers who reached and settled parts of North America, particularly the western regions of Alaska. However, they did not fully explore or establish extensive colonies in the same way that the Europeans, particularly the Spanish, French, and British, did.
One reason for this is the geographical distance. North America is separated from Russia by the Bering Strait, which is quite wide and often frozen for a significant part of the year. This made it a challenging and dangerous voyage for Russian explorers to reach the continent.
Another factor is that Russia's main focus during the time of exploration and colonization was directed towards areas like Siberia, the Far East, and the northern regions. These areas were rich in resources like fur and valuable minerals, which attracted Russian settlers. Additionally, Russia faced many internal challenges and conflicts during this period that may have hindered their ability to fully explore and establish colonies in North America.
It's important to note that European powers, especially Spain, France, and England, had significant naval capabilities, resources, and motivations to explore and colonize the New World. They had established trade routes and had technological advantages that allowed for longer and more expedient voyages across the Atlantic. These factors played a major role in European powers playing a more dominant role in North American exploration and colonization compared to Russia.
In summary, while Russia did have some presence and exploration in parts of North America, various factors, including geographical distance and competing interests elsewhere, contributed to their limited presence compared to European powers.