Russia

The Sheer Size Of It All… Largest country in the world –Covers 6.6 million square miles –9 mountain ranges 2X larger than the U.S.

How This Affects Population 8 th most populated country in the world –Population Density of 22 per sq. mile Most people live between the Belarus/Ukraine boarders and the Ural Mountains (western part of the country) Siberian climate prohibits human settlement Mountains are unsuitable for farming

The largest country in the world is the Russian Federation (spans 2 continents and 11 time zones). The Soviet Union was the largest country in the world. The break-up of the USSR formed 15 countries.

The chernozem soil forms a fertile plain to the west of the Ural Mountains called the North European Plain, where about 75% of the Russia population lives and includes the city of Moscow. To the east of the Ural Mountains is a semi-frozen swamp/marsh called the West Siberian Plain, one of the world’s largest flat lands

Mountains and Plateaus Stretching across parts of Europe and Asia, Russia is a huge land of plains divided and bordered by mountains and plateaus.  The Urals are old, worn-down mountains that mark the boundary between European and Asian parts of Russia.  The Caucasus Mountains in the southwest reach their highest elevation at Mount Elbrus, 18,510 ft. (5,642 m), Russia’s highest point. Many active volcanoes are found in far eastern Russia, where the Kamchatka Peninsula lies within the Ring of Fire, the belt of volcanic activity surrounding the Pacific Ocean. Four volcanoes erupted in 1999.

The Ural Mountains are the traditional barrier between Europe and Asia.

29 active volcanoes

There is an immense military presence on the Peninsula. Because of its location on the far eastern frontier of Russia and the former Soviet Union, Kamchatka has always had immense strategic importance. For this reason, the Peninsula was a "closed region" for many decades. Until the early 1990s, foreigners, and even most Russians, were prohibited from visiting Kamchatka. Even today, a decade after the cold war's end, Russia continues to maintain a heavy military presence on the Peninsula, and many areas of Kamchatka remain off-limits.

Coasts, Seas, and Lakes Russia has the longest continuous coastline of any country, at 23,400 miles (37,650 km). The coastline touches the Arctic and Pacific Oceans and the Baltic, Black, and Caspian Seas. Most of Russia’s ports are frozen for at least part of the year. Lake Baikal in southern Siberia is the deepest freshwater lake in the world.

Kaliningrad (Königsberg) is a piece of Russia that is located on the Baltic Sea. It was once part of Prussia / Germany.

-The Black Sea is Russia’s warm-water outlet to the Mediterranean Sea. The Caspian Sea is actually a saltwater lake with no outlet. Lake Baikal holds about 20 percent of the earth’s freshwater.

Because many of the ports in Russia are frozen part of the year access to the Black Sea is essential. Russia still has access, but the large ports of Odessa and Sevastopol are now in Ukraine.

Lake Baikal was created by a rift valley. It is very old and very deep. The lake holds 20% of the world’s fresh water. It is frozen most of the year. The lake has fresh water seals and was a resort for government officials during the Soviet era.

Rivers Most of Russia’s longest rivers are in sparsely populated Siberia. Siberians enjoy a surplus of freshwater, but European Russians often face water shortages or problems with water quality.

Rivers Irrigation Hydroelectric power (leading producer) Transportation routes

“Mother” Volga River 4 th longest river in Russia Connects Moscow to the Caspian and Baltic Seas Hydroelectric power Heavy use: –Pollution –Disrupts human drinking water supplies and wildlife

Section 1-15 The Volga River The Volga is the fourth- longest river in Russia and the longest river in Europe. Draining much of Russia’s North European Plain, the Volga River and its canals link the Moscow area to the Caspian, Black, and Baltic Seas. The river provides a large amount of hydroelectric power Pollution is a major problem for this river.

Volga River

Siberian Rivers Ob, Irtysh, Yenisey, and Lena Rivers –Flow north to the Arctic Ocean –Frozen ice chunks in the north cause flooding causing swamps and marshes to form Amur River –China boarder; warmer weather Main food producing area

Russia’s latitude is far to the north. It is located between degrees north. This northern location plays a part in availability of resources. Most of the waterways are frozen part of the year

Siberian Rivers Siberian rivers flow north to the Arctic Ocean. Blocked by ice, meltwaters often flood the land and create vast swamps. Siberian Rivers include the Ob, Irtysh, the Yenisey, and the Lena Amur River is warmer and is Siberia’s main food-producing area

Natural Resources Russia has many (abundant) natural resources to offer, however, many of them are difficult to tap or utilize –Remote areas –Climate is harsh

Minerals and Energy Petroleum 16% of the world’s coal reserves Produces the most natural gas in the world Nickel production leader Top 3 producer in: –Aluminum –Gemstones –Platinum –Sulfur –Tungsten

Section 1-19 Natural Resources Minerals and Energy Russia has huge mineral resources. It is especially rich in mineral fuels, such as oil, natural gas, and coal. Russia’s rivers make it a leading producer of hydroelectric power.

Oil rig and copper mining near Novyy Urengoy

Russia is important to world energy markets because it holds the world's largest natural gas reserves, the second largest coal reserves, and the eighth largest oil reserves. Russia is also the world's largest exporter of natural gas, the second largest oil exporter, and the third largest energy consumer.

Soil and Forests Only 10% of the land can support agriculture Permafrost: Permanently frozen layer of soil Has 1/5 of the world’s remaining forests –Timber industry –Shrinking at a rate faster than the Amazon Rainforest

Section 1-20 Soil and Forest Land Because of Russia’s generally cold climate, only about 10 percent of Russia’s land is suitable for farming. A rich, fertile “Black Earth Belt,” however, stretches from Ukraine to southwestern Russia, supplying the country with grains, sugar beets, and other produce. About one-fifth of the world’s forested land is in Siberia. Russian forests supply much of the world’s timber. Russia’s Fishing Industry Fish is a staple food in Russia and also an important export.

Fishing Important to people’s diet and the economy Caviar… Illegal fishing

Bering Sea is one of the richest fisheries. Main fish are salmon and herring.

Section 2-6 Russia’s Climates and Vegetation Most of Russia has a harsh climate with long, cold winters and short, relatively cool summers. Lying well within the Eurasian landmass, most of the country is far away from any moderating ocean influences.

Section 2-8 High Latitude Climates Tundra The tundra, a vast, treeless plain, covers about 10 percent of Russia. The weather is always cold, and little grows there because of the short growing season and the thin acidic soil.

Close to the polar regions, tundra climate regions are very cold. Here the winter darkness and bitter cold last for half of the year. The indirect rays of the sun bring constant summer light, but little heat. Very thin layer of thawed soil make it impossible for trees to grow. Vegetation is limited to low bushes, very short grasses, moss, and lichen.

Section 2-9 Subarctic The subarctic lies just south of the tundra. High Latitude Climates (cont.) The subarctic has snow for up to 250 days of the year. The taiga is a forest belt in the subarctic that is the world’s largest coniferous forest. It contains one-half of the world’s softwood timber.

The taiga is a large forest of mixed hardwood and pine trees. It is a major resource to Russia. 1/5 of all remaining world forests are in Russia

Section 2-10 Living in a Cold Climate Russians must be creative to live in an extremely cold climate. Builders plan for the cold when they construct buildings, and cars are made from a special type of steel that will not crack in the cold. Large amounts of oil, gas, wood, and coal are used to keep warm. High Latitude Climates (cont.)

GeoFact 1b In Siberia, buildings rest on pilings 6 to 8 feet ( m) off the ground so that heat from within does not melt the permafrost. Melting permafrost can cause building foundations to shift and crack.

Because of the cold weather, Russians had to work out ways to get around so they built the Trans-Siberian Railroad. In some other areas canals were also built to get around.

Section 2-13 Mid-Latitude Climates Humid Continental Most of the North European Plain and some of southern Siberia have a humid continental climate, with long, snowy, relatively mild winters. In humid continental areas of Russia, the coniferous taiga of the north gives way to mixed coniferous-deciduous forests. Farther south, the forests gradually merge into temperate fertile grasslands.

Section 2-14 War and Winter Russia’s cold climate was helpful in World War II because Russian soldiers, who were used to the cold, fought well against the German soldiers, who were unprepared for a brutal winter. Mid-Latitude Climates (cont.) Steppe The steppe climate region has dry summers and long, cold, dry winters. Its rich soil enables a variety of grasses and plants to flourish.

Major Cities Moscow and St. Petersburg