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Unit 9 – Chapter 14

Unit 9 – Chapter 14. The Physical Geography of Russia. I. Section I. The Land. A. A Vast and Varied Land. Russia is the world’s largest country Covers 6.6 million sq. miles Stretches over two continents-- What major land feature divides the continents? Spans 11 time zones.

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Unit 9 – Chapter 14

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  1. Unit 9 – Chapter 14 The Physical Geography of Russia

  2. I. Section I The Land

  3. A. A Vast and Varied Land • Russia is the world’s largest country • Covers 6.6 million sq. miles • Stretches over two continents--What major land feature divides the continents? • Spans 11 time zones

  4. Mountains and Plateaus • Ural Mountains • Caucasus Mountains • Mount Elbrus – extinct volcano – highest point • Central Siberian Plateau Mt. Elbrus

  5. Ural Mountains: “The Great Divide” 1500 miles Divides the European and Asian sections of Russia.

  6. The Ural Mountains

  7. A. (cont) • Plains Areas • North European Plain • Chernozem – rich black soil • About 75% of Russia’s population lives here • West Siberian Plain

  8. Coasts, Seas, and Lakes • Longest coastline in the world • Caspian Sea – largest inland sea in the world (salt water) • Lake Baikal – deepest freshwater lake in the world • Contains about 20% of the earth’s total supply of freshwater Lake Baikal

  9. B. Rivers • The Volga River (“Mother Volga”) • Vital to Russia (transportation, hydroelectric power) • Frozen ½ of the year • Provides 33% of Russia’s usable water • Very polluted

  10. The Volga River The river is so polluted that the sturgeon catch has been decreased by 60%.

  11. Lena River • Siberian Rivers • Ob, Irtysh, Yenisey, & Lena • Flow north to the Arctic Ocean • Amur • Flows eastward

  12. Minerals & Energy Russia has a huge reserve of mineral resources Petroleum Coal Natural Gas Nickel Aluminum, gemstones Hydroelectric Power – leader in the world C. Natural Resources

  13. -Soil and Forest Land • 10% land – agriculture – permafrost • Black Earth Belt • 1/5 of remaining world forests in Russia – Siberia • 2nd to the Amazon for oxygen returned to atmosphere • -Russia’s Fishing Industry • Fish important to Russian diet & economy

  14. II. Section II Climate & Vegetation

  15. Former Soviet Region Compared in Latitude & Area with the United States

  16. A. Russia’s Climates & Vegetation • Most of Russia is characterized by a harsh climate of long, cold winters and short, relatively cool summers. • Coldest winter temps. = E. Siberia

  17. B. High Latitudes Climates • Tundra – vast treeless plain • Almost all of the places with this climate lie north of the Arctic Circle • About 10% of Russia • Subarctic • Dominate climate region • Some of the world’s coldest temperatures occur there • For 120-150 days a year, snow covers the ground • Taiga – forest belt • Living in a Cold Climate • What adjustments would you have to make?

  18. Siberia --> Permafrost Average temperatures of January vary from 0 to -50°, and in July from 1 to 25°C 150,000,000 population. A former “gulag” Soviet prison camp.

  19. C. Mid-Latitude Climates • Humid Continental • Most of Russia’s N. European Plain • War & Winter • Cold winters have played a key role in wars (pg. 354-5) Napoleon's Retreat from Moscow German POWs at Stalingrad

  20. Steppe • Small area • Temperate grassland area

  21. Steppes: “Soviet” Breadbasket

  22. The Steppes 25% of the old Soviet Union’s food supply.

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