Russia

Moscow’s Red Square Taiga in Siberia

Map of Russia

A) The Land• Largest country in the world.• It is in Europe and Asia.• Extreme northern location.• Arctic Ocean is to the north of

Russia.• Shipping is very difficult most of the

year because of ice.• Has ports on Baltic Sea, Black Sea,

and Pacific Ocean.

Icy Arctic Ocean

1) Ural Mountains• Separates the continents

Europe and Asia.• Runs 1,500 miles North to

South.• Old mountains that have

been worn by erosion. Only about 2000 feet above sea level.

Ural Mountains

2) Plains• West of the Ural mts., is the North

European Plain.

• 75% of Russia lives here.

• Largest cities are in the N.E.P. (Moscow, St.Petersburg)

• St. Petersburg is the leading industrial and cultural center.

• Most industries and farms are here.

• East of the Ural mts., is Siberia.

3) Highlands• There are 2 highland regions.• 1) Central Siberian Plateau• 2) East Siberian Uplands- A

wilderness of forests, mountains, and plateaus.

• The endangered Siberian tiger lives here.

• Far north area has large areas of tundra stretch along the shore.

Endangered Animal

Highlands Con’t• South of tundra there is

large area of evergreen forests. What is it called?

• Nickname is green ocean.

4) Caucasus Mountains

• Located in Southwest Russia.

• Thickly covered with pine trees.

• Mt. Elbrus is the tallest mountain in Europe.

5) Inland Water Areas• Caspian Sea (A saltwater lake) is

the size of California; largest inland body of water in the world.

• Lake Baikal is the deepest freshwater lake in the world.

• Some rivers are Lena, Ob, Yenisey all flow into the Arctic Ocean.

Caspian Sea

B) Climate• Northern location near Arctic Ocean has

short summers, and long cold winters.• Siberia- Snow is on the ground 8-9

months. The average temp. in January is -45 degrees.

• North European Plain has a humid continental climate.

• Southern Russia has a partly dry steppe climate.

People of Russia• Population: 143 million people (#9)

• Main ethnic group: Russian 80%

• Main language: Russian

• Main religion: Russian Orthodox

• 74% of people live in an urban setting.

• Life expectancy: 69.85 yrs old (#152)

• Literacy rate 99.7%

Economy of Russia• Under Soviet Union, was a communist

gov’t.

• Soviet Union’s Communist leaders created the world’s largest command economy.

• Gov’t owns all land, resources, industries, and farms.

• In 1991 Soviet Union collapsed and so did this type of economy.

• Present day- Russia has a free enterprise economy just like the United States.

Economy continued• GDP: 2.5 trillion (#7)

• Exports: 528 billion (#9) Petroleum products, natural gas, metals, wood products. (Netherlands 14%, China 6%)

• Imports: 336 billion (#16) Machinery, Vehicles, pharmaceutical products, plastic (China 16%, Germany 10%)

• Farming makes up only 4% of Russia’s economy. Only 7% of Russia’s land is able to be farmed on.

Gov’t of Russia• Gov’t- Federation

• Gained independence on August 24, 1991 from the Soviet Union.

• President- Vladimir Putin (since May 7, 2012)

• President elected for a six year term with the ability to be re-elected.

• President Putin doesn’t get along real well with the U.S., one reason is that he is an ally/friend of Syrian’s president Bashar al-Assad.

• There are 9 time zone in Russia!

Chapter 15 Section 1

RussiaColored By: Autumn and Kelsey

A) The Economy

• 1922-1991 Russia was in the Soviet Union.

• Soviet Union practiced Communism.

• This is where the government controls everything in the economy.

1) Government Controls• Soviet Union’s Communist leaders

created the world’s largest command economy.

• Gov’t owns all land, resources, industries, and farms.

• Leaders use 5 year plans to run Soviet’s economy.

• Emphasized more heavy industry than light industry.

2) Collapse of Communism• In 1985 Soviet leader Mikhail

Gorbachev wanted to rebuild the economy.

• IN 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed.

• Russia and other countries that were in the Soviet Union became independent countries.

Mikhail Gorbachev

3) A New Beginning• Russia now has a free enterprise

system (like the U.S.)• Businesses are privately owned,

operating for profit with little gov’t control.

• Russia’s economy is still struggling.• Goods are scarce, and prices have

gone up.

B) Economic Regions• Most of Russia’s industries are

located in Europe.• Short growing season, but its

farmland is extremely productive.• Under free enterprise system,

factories have focused more on light industry than heavy industry.

• There are 4 economic regions.

1) Moscow• 800 years old.• It is the capital city of Russia.• The political, economical, and

cultural center of Russia.• Manufacturing occurs here.• Farmers raise dairy cattle, barley,

oats, potatoes, corn, and sugar beets.

2)Port Cities• 2 important port cities (St. Petersburg, and

Kaliningrad)• Russia owns a small piece of land on the

Baltic Sea that is separate from the rest of the country.

• Kaliningrad is the only port that is free from ice all year.

• St. Petersburg is a vital port city and cultural center.

• Factories produce light machinery, textiles, and medical equipment.

Homework• Test on

Tuesday.

- 130 Points.

• Review game on Monday.

• Make sure you start studying.

3) Siberia• Large supply of minerals in Russia

(iron ore, uranium, gold, diamonds, and coal.)

• Lots of oil and natural gas is beneath the frozen ground in Northern Siberia.

• Getting these resources is very difficult because of __________________.

4) Volga & Urals• Volga river carries 50% of

Russia’s river traffic.

• Provides water for hydroelectric power and irrigation. (Best farmland is here)

• Both contain large deposits of oil and natural gas.

• Mts. Have copper, gold, nickel.

Chapter 15 Section 2

Russia’s people

and Culture

A) Political Challenges• Before 1991 Soviet Union was a

communist government.

• Today Russia is a democracy (Federal Republic) government.

• Russia’s president has more power of his country than the U.S. president has of his country.

1) Presidents of Russia

• Russia’s presidents (Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin) used their power to develop & strengthen Russia’s economy and democracy.

• Current president of Russia is Dmitry Medvedev.

B) Ethnic Challenges• Many different ethnic groups

(About 100)

• Russians, Ukrainians, and Belorussians are part of a larger group called Slavs.

• 80% of the people are Slavs who speak Russian.

• What is a majority group?

C) Daily Life

• 75% of people live in the North European Plain. (West of the Ural Mts.)

• Many people live in apartments in the cities of Russia.

• Religion: 70% of people follow Russian Orthodox

D) Sports/Food

• Winter and indoor sports are extremely popular. (Hockey, Tennis, Basketball, Figure Skating, Camping, Mountain Climbing)

• Borscht: Soup made from beets

• Shchi: Soup made from cabbage

• Meat, poultry, or fish with potatoes is very common for dinner.