Exploring Russia and the Republics

1. Exploring Russia and the Republics The Five Themes of Geography Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

2. Location Location • Major Cities • Major Landforms • Major Bodies of Water Russia is the world’s largest country – nearly twice the size of Canada. Russia stretches across Europe and Asia form the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean and from the Arctic Ocean to the Black and Caspian Seas. Asian Russia is often called “Siberia.” (Click on map for larger view.) • Major Landmarks This is a map of the Arctic Ocean, or North Pole. Russia stretches from 42° N latitude to 81° N latitude and from 30° E longitude to 170° W longitude. (Click on map for larger view.) Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

3. Location LocationMajor Cities • Major Cities • Major Landforms • Major Bodies of Water • Major Landmarks The major cities of Russia and the Republics stretch from Chernobyl, Ukraine, the site of the 1986 nuclear reactor disaster, to the southwestern port city of Vladivostok. (Click on each of the maps for a larger view.) Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

4. Location LocationMajor Bodies of Water • Major Cities • Major Landforms • Major Bodies of Water • Major Landmarks In European Russia, the Volga River serves as a major trading route. Since the northern seas remain frozen most of the year, the Baltic and Black Seas remain extremely important for Russian shipping. In Asian Russia, again the northern seas are mostly frozen, but Russia has access to the Sea of Japan for shipping and trade into the Pacific region. Lake Baikal is the world’s deepest lake. (Click on each map for a larger view.) Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

5. Location LocationMajor Landforms • Major Cities • Major Landforms • Major Bodies of Water • Major Landmarks West of the Ural Mountains, Russia is dominated by the fertile Northern European Plain. East of the Ural Mountains, lies the West Siberian Plain, then the Central Siberian Plateau with mountain ranges dominating the far east. (Click on each map for a larger view.) Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

6. Location LocationMajor Landmarks The site of the Kremlin (below), in Moscow, has been inhabited by the czars for centuries. The current building was constructed in 1516. It now serves as the center for the Russian national government. It sits along the Moscow River and Red Square near St. Basil’s Cathedral. (Click on picture for more pictures.) • Major Cities • Major Landforms • Major Bodies of Water • Major Landmarks St. Basil Cathedral (above), in Moscow, was built in 1555-1561 by Ivan the Terrible. (Click on picture for more pictures.) Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

7. Human Characteristics Physical Characteristics Place • Soil • Language & Culture • Climate • Economy • Resources • Government • Vegetation & Wildlife • Historical Background Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

8. Human Characteristics A Russian Folk Art, (left) nesting dolls have been popular toys for children since the 19th century. PlaceLanguage & Culture • Language & Culture Mikhail Baryshnikov (left) is often considered the world’s greatest living dancer. In Russia, ballet is an important aspect of culture. • Economy • Government • Historical Background “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy (1865) is not only a classic piece of Russian literature, but is also considered one of the best novels in the world. Russia is also known for its love of sports. Maria Sharapova (above) is currently ranked 5th in the world. The Russian alphabet has 33 letters. (Click on the picture for a larger view.) Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

9. Human Characteristics Russia’s per capita GDP was $12,200 in 2006. PlaceEconomy • Language & Culture The Russian economy is made up of: 5% farming 40% industry 55% services • Economy The Russian currency, or money, is called the ruble. • Government • Historical Background Russia produces 9.4 million barrels of oil per day, second in the world only to Saudi Arabia. Russia produces more natural gas than any other country in the world. Russia’s unemployment rate is rather high at 6.6%. Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

10. Human Characteristics PlaceGovernment • Language & Culture • Economy • Government • Historical Background Vladimir Putin is the President of the Russian Federation. Although Russia today is a representative democracy, President Putin has recently given more power to the central government and democracy in Russia remains weak. Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

11. Human Characteristics PlaceHistorical Background • Language & Culture • Economy • Government • Historical Background Czar Nicholas II was czar from 1894-1917 until the Communists overthrew him. Vladimir Lenin, leader of the Communist Revolution in Russia and first head of the Soviet Union. Czar Nicholas II and his family who were all executed at Yekaterinburg in 1917. Joseph Stalin was the head of the Soviet Union from 1922-1953. He was best known for putting down anyone who criticized him and sending many people to prisons in Siberia. Mikhail Gorbachev was head of the Soviet Union from 1985-1991. He is known for reforming the Communist Party which ultimately led to the fall of the Soviet Union. Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

12. Physical Characteristics In southwestern Russia, the soil is some of the most fertile in the world. Here they raise grain, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables, beef, and milk. PlaceSoil • Soil • Climate • Resources • Vegetation & Wildlife Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

13. Physical Characteristics Russia has several types of climate. Since it is so far north most of the country has a subarctic climate. Russia has four seasons with extremely long and cold winters. (Click on the map for a larger view.) PlaceClimate • Soil • Climate • Resources • Vegetation & Wildlife Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

14. Physical Characteristics PlaceResources • Soil • Climate • Resources • Vegetation & Wildlife Russia’s resources are plentiful, but they are spread out and difficult to get to and transport to populated areas. Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

15. Physical Characteristics PlaceVegetation & Wildlife • Soil • Climate • Resources Scientists believe that climate change is making Russian bears more aggressive. • Vegetation & Wildlife The Siberian tiger is recovering after nearly becoming extinct. Forests stretch across eastern Russia. Cranes live in wildlife reserves in eastern Russia. Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

16. Movement People Goods Ideas Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

17. The Trans-Siberian Railroad links Russia’s far east with the more developed west. Many people travel across Russia on this railroad. MovementPeople People Goods Ideas The Trans-Siberian Railroad travels from Moscow to Vladivostok in the far east. Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

18. Russia exports a lot of lumber from its vast forests. They also export oil, natural gas, metals, chemicals, and manufactured military products to countries all over the world. MovementGoods People Goods Ideas Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

19. The biggest idea that has diffused from Russia is communism. During the Soviet Era, the Soviet Union influenced many countries to accept a communist government, including China, North Korea, Cuba, and others. MovementIdeas People Goods Ideas Soviet propaganda (government advertising) posters Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

20. HEI Depending on the Environment Environmental Change Adaptations to Environment Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

21. HEIDepending on the Environment Depending on the Environment Russians depend on their environment to grow a variety of crops, such as grain, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables, beef, and milk. Environmental Change Adaptations to Environment Russians depend on their environment for resources like oil, natural gas, lumber, and coal. Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

22. HEIEnvironmental Change Depending on the Environment The nuclear reactor disaster at Chernobyl, Ukraine in 1986 destroyed the surrounding environment. The water, trees, and wildlife in the area all suffered, as did over 237 people, 31 of which died within 3 months of the disaster. People are still sick from the disaster even today. There have been many nuclear accidents in Russia, but Chernobyl was the worst. Environmental Change Adaptations to Environment Hydro-electric power is made by dams which flood the natural environment to create a reservoir of water. The electricity made by the dams provides many people with power for their homes. Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

23. HEIAdaptations to Environment Russians need to adapt to the harsh weather conditions by wearing warm clothing and driving through snow and ice. Depending on the Environment Environmental Change Adaptations to Environment Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

24. Human Regions Physical Regions • Population • Vegetation Region • Ethnic Groups Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

25. Human Regions • Population RegionPopulation • Ethnic Groups Most people live in the southwestern European part of Russia because the climate is mild, the soil is fertile, there are resources, and trade with Europe is easier. (Click on the map for a larger view.) Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

26. Human Regions • Population RegionEthnic Groups • Ethnic Groups There are many different and unique ethnic groups in Russia. (Click on the map for a larger view.) Home Location Place Movement HEI Region

27. Physical Regions • Vegetation RegionVegetation There are many different types of vegetation in Russia, but coniferous forests cover most of the land. (Click on the map for a larger view.) Home Location Place Movement HEI Region