siberia
n. uncountablen. a huge region in Russia known for its very cold winters and large forests. People often use the name to describe any place that feels lonely, cold, or far away.
n. a vast geographic region spanning much of Northern Asia and the eastern part of Russia. Often used metaphorically to describe a remote, cold, or isolated location where someone is sent as a punishment or social exile.
Siberia is famous for its extremely cold winters.
The company moved his desk to the basement, which the other employees jokingly called Siberia because it was so isolated.
While historically associated with exile and harsh climates, Siberia contains some of the world's largest mineral reserves and plays a critical role in the global energy market.
Adopted in the 16th century, probably via Latin Sibēria, from Russian Сиби́рь (Sibírʹ) + -ia. In origin the Tatar name of a 14th-century fortress at Qashliq (Tobolsk) which became the capital of the 16th-century Khanate of Sibir, in 16th century Russian usage extended to the entire area of what is now Tyumen Oblast, and with the ongoing Russian conquest of Siberia by the 19th century to the larger area of Russia's Asian territories beyond the Ob River. The figurative sense in English arises in the 19th century (attested in 1841 according to the OED).
When referring to the geographic region, it is a proper noun and always capitalized.