In some areas of Russia's continental land people could be cut off the civilization for many months. No land or sea transportation is possible, no food or fuel delivery, etc. No land trip is possible out of the factory or the settlement due of nature conditions - weather, distance, hazards, etc.

Think about "The Gulag Archipelago" as of a set of populated camps (equivalents of islands or colonies), where prisoners are cut off the metropolis by distances and guards.

Check this song as well to color the picture:

http://a-pesni.org/dvor/otzlojtoski.php