Location of U.K.

1. Location of U.K. • A country of islands – Wales, England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. • Across the English Chanel from the UK is France • West, across the Irish Sea is the Republic of Ireland • East, across the North Sea is the Scandinavian Peninsula

2. Location of U.K. • Easy to trade • Its location on the Atlantic Ocean also helps trade with the US • The US is the U.K.’s #1 trading partner!

3. Climate of United Kingdom • Mild climate with rainfall through out the year • Southeastern parts of Great Britain are the driest with mountains to protect from ocean winds • The mild climate keeps ports free of ice and open for trade ALL YEAR.

4. Climate Continued… • The Gulf Stream moves warm water across the Atlantic to the U.K. This allows for milder winters compared to other countries with the same latitude. • Great for farming! However, less than 2% of people earn a living in farming. Most people live in urban areas where jobs are more available.

5. Natural Resources of the U.K. • Coal, petroleum, natural gas, and iron ore – backbone of the country’s industry in auto production, steel manufacturing, and shipbuilding. • Today manufacturing is declining because natural resources are being used up and competition has increased. • In the U.K., nearly 80% of people work in service industries (tourism, health care, education, etc..)

6. Natural Resources Continued… • Fishing along the shores of U.K. is profitable. • 25% of land is arable (good for growing crops) • Over ½ of land is used for farms – meaning the country can produce 60% of its own food • Farms with sheep, cattle, and pigs.

7. Where is Russia? • Bordered by 15 countries • Bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the North and Pacific Ocean to the East • Most of Russia’s land is far from the sea or frozen over for most of the year – some ports must be cleared with icebreakers • St. Petersburg – port on the Baltic Sea – major center for trade. Network of railroads. Home to over 5 million people. Was capital for over 200 yrs…now it is Moscow

8. Climate of Russia • 2 seasons – Winter and Summer. • Average temperature of nearly all of Russia is below freezing. • Lots of permafrost – soil that is permanently frozen • Siberia – land furthest east – could reach negative 40 degrees in winter and reach over 90 degrees in summer.

9. Climate continued… • Area around the Black sea is considered subtropical…very popular. • 73% of Russian population lives in western Russia. • The climate, distance from the sea, and rugged terrain keep many of Russia’s resources from being used.

10. Natural Resources of Russia • Vast Resources – Forests in the west. Gold, aluminum, coal, and iron in Ural Mountains • Leading producer and exporter of gold, minerals, metals, and machinery. • Cities grew up around the mining industry

11. Volga River – largest river in Europe – over half of Russia’s cities are along the Volga. • Volga = source of hydroelectric power

12. Comparing the U.K. and Russia • Russia is larger but port cities are blocked by ice most of the year. • U.K. has mild climate and may ports are accessible all year round. • Fossil Fuels (coal and oil) are in both countries. However, resources are declining in U.K. and in Russia they are untouched

13. Comparing Continued… • Capital of U.K. = London – on Thames River. It is a major financial and trading center. • Capital of Russia = Moscow – center for all transportation in Russia. However, St. Petersburg is the Russian center for trade.