Siberian Fur Trade Route

Timeline

1. 1551–1560Moscow · MoscowIn the mid-16th century Moscow was the Eurasian fur distribution hub, with valuable pelts such as sable imported via the Volga-Kama river basin; after the tsar's conquest of Kazan, control of the upper waterways spurred merchants to seek new hunting grounds and trading posts east of the Urals.
2. 1558–1574Chusovaya River · UralThe Stroganov family received a tsarist charter to build forts and smelting works along the Kama and Chusovaya rivers, organizing Cossacks and hunters through the Ural passes to open fur collection and transport routes to the Siberian tundra and taigas.
3. 1581–1598Siberian Khanate · SiberiaYermak led Cossacks westward with Stroganov backing, and after conquering the Siberian Khanate established forts along the Tobol and Ob rivers, extending the fur route from land transport into a river network system using winter sledges and summer rafts.
4. 1632–1700Yakutsk · YakutiaAfter Russia established the Yakutsk fort on the Lena River, the city became the general hub of Siberian fur trade, with pelts from Kamchatka, Yakutia, and the Far East converging by river and land routes to Moscow, forming a monopoly trade network covering North Asia.