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Welcome to Russia!. Russia used to be called the U.S.S.R. . U.S.S.R stands for Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The U.S.S.R. collapsed in 1991 because of economic struggles and political problems. . Today Russia is called the Russian Federation . Russia Today.
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Russia used to be called the U.S.S.R. • U.S.S.R stands for Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. • The U.S.S.R. collapsed in 1991 because of economic struggles and political problems. • Today Russia is called the Russian Federation.
Russia Today • Russia is the largest country on the planet. • Russia is twice as large as the United States. • Russia is located in both Europe and Asia.
Russia’s Climate & Vegetation • In the northernmost region, winter temperatures stay below zero; summer temperatures are only a little above freezing. • Russia’s large forest region is called the taiga. • Here the soil is poor, & growing season is short.
Russia’s Landforms • The steppes in Russia are plains and grasslands with good farming soil.
Russia’s Landforms • The northernmost region, called the tundra, is a treeless plain where only grasses and moss grow. The ground is permafrost, or permanently frozen soil.
Russia’s Natural Resources • Russia is one of the world’s largest producer of oil. • Other natural resources include: forests, coal, copper, gold, diamonds & iron ore (used to make steel). 80% of Russia’s resources are exported.
Russia’s Government • The U.S.S.R. was a communist country. (Property & goods are owned in common) • Today Russia has a Democratic form of government. (The President is elected by the people.) Russia’s President is Dimitri Medvedev.
Russia’s Economy • The U.S.S.R. had a Command Economy. (The government owned all the businesses & made decisions about what they could sell.) • Today Russia has a Free- Market Economy.
Russia’s Culture Before 1917. • Before 1917, Russia was one country with many ethnic groups. • People could practice religion freely. • They had artistic freedom. Writers & composers like Leo Tolstoy & Peter Tchaikovsky created great works. Peter Tchaikovsky composed the music for Sleeping Beauty & The Nutcracker.
Culture of the Soviet Union • During the years of communism, people were forbidden to practice religion. • Artists were repressed. • Only art allowed was propaganda. (materials designed to support communism)
Russia’s Culture after the Collapse of the Soviet Union • The country is again called Russia. • People have freedom of religion. • Artists again have the freedom to create. • Many ethnic groups split from Russia to form their own countries.
Russia’s Culture The Matryoshka is a Russian wooden doll made in 1890. The first doll contained 8 pieces. Faberge eggs were made back in 1885, when Tsar Alexander III, commissioned Peter C. Faberge to make an egg for his wife.