Show ding RUSSIA gop empire russia area square miles half size united states immense stretch territory across controlled czar sudden acquisition russia began policy expansion Columbus Colum set sail america looking beyond mountains raleigh continent permanent settlement siberia russia siberia permanent colony pacific middle seventeenth century establish herself alaska before united nation landing east mountains 1555 territory caspian sea north arctic ocean valley 1590 northeastern section siberia east lena river 1630 district 1656 blas blas blab blas blab slab expansion therefore still map ta exist today russian expansion united states territory gigantic air railroad siberia great theater century |