“Seaside Factor” in the Localization of the Population of the South of Russia: Approaches to Identify

The article is devoted to the assessment of the effects “of the seaside factor” on the localization of the population of Southern Russia (combining Southern, North-Caucasian and Crimean federal districts). It was found that almost half
(48.4 %) of the territory macro outlines contour line of 200 km from the sea; this space is localized almost 17.5 million. people (68.6 % of the population), 5 of 9 large (with more than half a million population potential) urban agglomerations, as well as 20 of the 35 cities with a population of 100 thousand. and more. Based on an analysis of demographic statistics for 1989 – 2014 years all 345 municipal districts and urban districts of Southern Russia shows that the trend of population attraction to the coast – is universal, but not everywhere. To the greatest extent it is inherent in the Krasnodar region, the least – the Republic of Kalmykia. It is shown that political-economic changes were accompanied by the restructuring of the post-Soviet period, existing maritime zones, localization inherent positive socio-economic effects in the immediate vicinity of the coast, priority effects on their economic and residential systems and processes of territorial concentration andmetropolization.