Ch. 14.1- Physical Geography of Russia

1. Ch. 14.1- Physical Geography of Russia • Introduction to Russia video

2. How do the Ural Mountains affect the distribution of climate regions in Russia? • The northern side of the mountain range receives cool, rainy weather, while the southern side is a hot desert. • The western side of the mountain range receives warm continental winds, while the eastern side is much cooler and drier. • The western side receives cold, arctic weather, while the eastern side is protected from weather extremes and has a mild climate. • The western side of the mountain range receives warm Mediterranean winds, while the eastern side is affected by Indian Ocean monsoon rains.

3. Why has Siberia become an increasingly valuable area to Russia? • The Russian military uses the region to limit the influence of China on East Asia. • Most Russian prisons are built in the area to take advantage of the remote location. • The many natural resources have led to expanding industry and trade. • Siberian ice is transported west for agriculture in drought regions

4. Physical Geography of the Russian Core Warm-up: Review the questions below and think about these questions as you watch the video. 1. What makes Lake Baikal unique? 2. Why are there no plants at the bottom of Lake Baikal? 3. Why is Lake Baikal perhaps the most biologically diverse lake in the world?

5. Answers to warm-up • 1. Lake Baikal is the oldest and deepest lake in the world. The lake is home to many unique creatures. • 2. Plants cannot grow at the bottom of the lake because light does not reach the bottom. • 3. The remote nature of the lake has made it very diverse. Many different species have developed in the unique habitat over millions of years.

6. Physical Geography of the Russian Core • Landforms • The Ural Mountains form a natural barrier between European Russia and Siberian Russia. • The majority of the Russian population lives in the southern part of the Northern European Plain where there are waterways and fertile soil. • Ukraine, the second largest European country, has vast stretches of plains and plateaus. • Belarus, the smallest of the three Slavic republics that were once part of the Soviet Union, is a landlocked country with many lakes.

7. The Ural Mountains form a natural barrier between European Russia and Siberian Russia. European Russia Siberian Russia

8. The majority of the Russian population lives in the southern part of the Northern European Plain where there are waterways and fertile soil.

10. Belarus, the smallest of the three Slavic republics that were once part of the Soviet Union, is a landlocked country with many lakes.

11. Notes for 14.1

12. Physical Geography of the Russian Core • Water Systems • The longest river in Europe, the Volga, along with its tributaries, is an important commercial, transportation, and hydroelectric resource in Russia. • The Dnieper River in Ukraine creates hydroelectric power, enables commerce, and provides fresh water. • Lake Baikal in Siberia, the world’s oldest and deepest lake, is home to many unusual freshwater marine species.

13. The longest river in Europe, the Volga, along with its tributaries, is an important commercial, transportation, and hydroelectric resource in Russia.

14. Volga R. interactive

16. The Dnieper River in Ukraine creates hydroelectric power, enables commerce, and provides fresh water.

17. Lake Baikal in Siberia, the world’s oldest and deepest lake, is home to many unusual freshwater marine species.

18. Notes for 14.1

19. Physical Geography of the Russian Core • Climate, Biomes, and Resources • Russia’s vast expanse of land lies at a high latitude, resulting in cold, snowy winters. • The interior of the country experiences continentality, or the effect of extreme variation in temperature and very little precipitation. • Much of Russia’s abundant natural resources are in remote and climatically unfavorable areas, making them difficult to utilize.

20. Russia’s vast expanse of land lies at a high latitude, resulting in cold, snowy winters. 50 below zero

21. The interior of the country experiences continentality, or the effect of extreme variation in temperature and very little precipitation.

22. Much of Russia’s abundant natural resources are in remote and climatically unfavorable areas, making them difficult to utilize.

25. Notes for 14.1

27. Visual Summary