RUSSIA AND NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

World Regional Geography

GENERAL

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Far from ocean Continentality – extreme cold during winter, hot

during summer Siberia’s January temperature (below -30ºC), July (12-16ºC) Western Russia, winter (-5ºC-10ºC), summer (15-20ºC.).

Natural Resources Fully exploits natural resources (steel and fuel). That’s how it gained superpower. Strong political, military and economic expansion. Rich of iron, gold, diamond, fuels [coal, oil, natural gas,

uranium].

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

1)Oil pollution2)Pollution at Norilsk3)Nuclear Pollution4)Aral Sea Contraction5)Threatened Fisheries

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS

Russia & Its Neighbouring Countries : account for 2nd greatest CO2 emitters with 17.4%

United States : 1st emitter with 36.1%.

Japan : 3rd with 8.5%

Must achieve Kyoto Protocol target to reduce pollution. Economic downturn in 1990s indirectly reduce pollution.

THE SOVIET UNION

WWI (1914-1918) exert stress to the Russian empire. 1917 huge death toll and food shortages. Lenin died in 1924, Stalin came to power. Joseph Stalin “Five-year Plan” emphasized on

industrialization. A more productive farming through farms merging. Command economy, central planning. Favored production of heavy industries rather than

consumer products. Compromise with Hitler led to WWII.

HUMAN RIGHTS Czar killed/sent political opponents to Siberia. Stalin created GULAG – “Main Directorate for Corrective

labor Camps”. High death toll. Gulag prisoners were forced to work in coal, copper

and gold mines. Human rights blossom only after the breakup of Soviet

Union in 1991. WOMEN’S ROLE

Equal rights with men. Visible in government, economics, medicine,

engineering etc. But still maintain responsibility towards family.

THE ECONOMY OF THE LAND: AGRICULTURE

Productive farming in West of Russia, Ukraine & Moldova.

Fruits, vegetables, wine, tobacco.

Southern Caucasus is warmer can produce citrus fruits, tea, tobacco, cotton and rice.

Nikita Khrushchev introduced Virgin Land Campaign in 1950s to promote self-sufficiency.

Failed mainly due to alteration of the ecosystem.

SECRET CITIES

After 1991, some have over 100,000 people.

Linked to nuclear industry, biologic warfare research, missile and weapon design.

Scientific research institute/labor camps.

Scientists had better living conditions

SUBREGION I: THE SLAVIC COUNTRIES

Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova

Developed heavy industries during Soviet times. Through 1990s most inefficient industries abandoned. Corruption, poor infrastructure, bureaucracy hindered

FDI. Superior in Science and sports. Scientist and athletes were pampered with better

living. Under Communism the people enjoyed:

Free university education to everyone. Free healthcare. Generous maternity leave. Supportive to theater and arts.

Public institution and welfare support system ended by 1991 (breakup of Soviet Union)

Scientists and athletes migrated to other countries.

Free education, medical etc no longer available. Some Russian still support communist ideals.

SUBREGION II: THE SOUTHERN CAUCASUS

Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan Enjoys warmer climate

Economic development: Georgia - tea and citrus fruits. Armenia - fruits especially grapes. Azerbaijan : tobacco, cotton and rice.

SUBREGION III: CENTRAL ASIA

Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.

Majority Muslim During Soviet time, these 5 countries were directed

to supply the needs of the Russians [coal, iron, oil, natural gas, chromium].

Pipeline and transportation lines are prevalent. Produce similar commodities of oil, natural gas and

cotton. Water disputes between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Rivers originate from Kyrgyzstan & Tajikistan flow

down to Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan & Kazakhstan.

THE END