Russia and the Former Russian Republics

1. Russia and the Former Russian Republics Physical Geography

2. Russia…it’s big

3. Russia’s Land Size • A comparatively small (<145 million[The USSR had 293 m.]) and concentrated population. • Concentrated development. • Multicultural state. • Minimal ports; limited access to a warm water masses (except the Pacific at Vladivostok). • Dimensions • Spans 11 time zones. • Gulf of Finland to Alaska (west to east), and well above the arctic circle to New York city (north to south) • Twice the size of the US or China. • Siberia: “sleeping land”. • Russia makes up 76.6% of the total territory of the former USSR (17,075,400 km--almost twice the size of the US).

4. Population of Russia

5. Russian Climate • Affected by 3 natural conditions. • Latitudinal position: • Colder climate with increasing latitude. • 60˚ North latitude line; split the country in half. • Continental position: • Dryer air. • Limited temperature regulation by oceanic masses. • Altitudinal effect: • Colder climate with increasing altitude. • Location of major mountains. • Limited impact for Russia.

6. Factors Affecting Climate

7. Tundra Taiga

8. Northern Landforms • Northern European Plain • Eastern Europe and western Russia • Chernozem: Black earth, especially good for agriculture • 75% of region’s population • West Siberian Plain • Separated from NEP by Urals • Rivers flow North to Arctic • Central Siberian Plateau • East of Yenisey River • High plateaus and mountains • Russian Far East • East of Lena River • Volcanic Mountain ranges • Russia and Japan claim ownership of Kuril Islands Russia and Alaska: the small islands are 2.4 miles apart, the mainlands are 55 miles apart

9. Mountains • Mountains: divide and border the region • Ural Mountains divide Europe and Asia • Caucasus Mountains are very rugged; isolate people • Central Asian mountains (Tian Shan and Paimirs) are pretty rugged as well • Pacific coast = lots of large mountains

10. Water • Volga: Europe’s longest • Most Russian rivers run S  N • Problem: mouths frozen most of the year • Creates floods as water backs up • Use icebreakers to free up channels • Caspian and Aral Seas actually saltwater lakes • Aral Sea lost 80% of water in last 40 years • Could be gone in 20-30 years • Lake Baikal • Deepest lake in the world • 20% of world’s fresh water • 400 miles north to south

11. Regional Climates • Weather similar to Canada and Alaska • Summers can be mild • Winters = long, cold • Shorter days the further north you are • Siberia is harshest • - 40° F; Winter = habitation fogs (pollution) • Subarctic and Tundra in northern Siberia • Permafrost (up to 300 feet deep) • Humid continental in European part (NYC, Chicago) • Steppe along Russia’s southern border • Steppe and desert in Central Asia • Mediterranean / Highland in Caucasus

12. Climate of Russia

13. Dailies: Physical Russia • What is the population of Russia in comparison with the US? • Where do most people in Russia live? • Describe Siberia. • What did Russia used to be called? How many Republics broke away? • List as many things as you can about Russian culture. Yes, you can include food.

14. Dailies: Notes Part Deux • What are the four landforms of the north? • Describe the mountains in the East of Russia. • What affects the climate of Russia? (Three things) • Describe the steppe. • When is the chapter 17 reading quiz?