No one knows exactly how the breed developed, but theories an legends exits:

It developed from wild forest cats in the snowy area of the Siberian taiga in the middle ages.

Cats spread across the continent via trade routs like Silk road 1000 years ago, and mated with the wild cats in the area.

Cat followed immigrants, mixed with wild cats, and adapted to the harsh climate.

Approval of the breed
The first Siberian standard was developed by the cat club Kotofei in the late 1980s. FIFe approved the breed in 1997, and the year after it got certificate rights

Siberian cats in Norway
The first Siberian cat came to Norway before year 2000, along with a Russian lady. In 2005 there were few Siberians in Norway, but now the breed is increasing in popularity and numbers.

FIFe standard