Physical Geography of Russia Chapter 14

Overview of Russia’s Physical Geography Russia is the largest country in the world. Winter is challenging season though some are not as harsh as others Worst winters are in Siberia which takes up most of Central and Eastern Europe Most people live in the western portion of the country because climate is not as harsh and has fertile soil The Ural Mts are often considered the line that divides Europe from Asia and European Russia from Asian Russia. Lots of resources are found in them that have helped Russia’s industry but is hard to get to and get out Siberia is in central and eastern part of Russia. Past Ural Mts to the Pacific(2.5 million miles) Lake BAIKAL is one of world’s oldest and deepest lake that holds *1/5 * of Earth’s fresh water Russia is one of the leading producers of oil and gas in the world and most of it is found near Ural Mts and in Siberia Russians have had to adjust all aspects of life because of the climate (JOBS, TRANSPORTATION, FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES, HEATING, CLOTHING, PLUMBING, BUSINSEES AND INDUSTRIES WITH CONSTRUCTING BUILDINGS AND MACHINERY CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING EXTREME TEMPERATURES) Top 5 natural resources are timber, coal, petroleum, hydroelectric power, gold, silver, and natural gas

Land Size of Russia 6.6 MILLION SQ MILES Included on 2 Continents: EUROPE AND ASIA European side is west of Ural Mts Asian side is east of Ural Mts

Mountains Ural Mountains. –Marks the traditional boundary b/t European Russia and Asian Russia –Old worn down series of mt ranges –Rich in iron ore and minerals such as oil and natural gas the Caucasus Mountains –In Southwestern Russia –Rugged –B/t Caspian and Black Seas –Moderate Climate near Black Sea attracts human settlement –Highest elevation is MT Elbrus and its and extinct volcano and Russia’s highest point Mountain ranges also form natural boundary b/t Russia and China Central Siberian Plateau. –Rolling plateau –Swiftly flowing rivers that have carved out cantons Mountains continue through Siberia to the Pacific Ocean. The Kamchatka Peninsula has more than 100 VOLCANOES, 29 of which are active.

Plains of Russia the Northern European Plain –In the West –Most of European Russia is part of this –Also known as Russian Plain –Sweeps across Western and Central Europe into Russia –Northern part of the plain is very flat and poorly drained resulting in swamps and lakes –Southern part has navigable waterways and a rich black soil known as cheronzem which supports wheat, barley, rye, oats and other crops –About 75% of Russian population lives on the NEP –Holds most populous cities including Moscow and St Petersburg West Siberian Plain –Is in the center of Russia –Ural Mts fall b/t West Siberian Plain and NEP –1 million square miles –One of world’s largest areas of flatland –Stretches from Arctic Ocean to grasslands of Central Asia –Lowlands are poorly drained with many swamps and marshes

Water Systems Russia’s water systems are important for –Irrigation –Transportation routes –Electric power –Industries –fishing

Coastlines of Russia Has the longest continuous coastline of any country in the world. Arctic Ocean Pacific Ocean Baltic Sea Black Sea Caspian Sea

Russian Seas the Black Sea provides Russia with a warm water outlet to the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea The Caspian Sea. –Is a salt water lake located in a deep depression –One of largest inland bodies of water in the world –Rivers flow into it –There is no outlet to an ocean –Overtime water levels vary due to evaporation and inflow of freshwater Lake Baikal –Lies in southern Siberia –Nearly 400 miles long and 40 miles wide and over 1 mile deep –Third largest lake in Asia –Deepest freshwater lake in world –Estimated to contain 1/5 of earth’s total supply of freshwater Being Sea Barents Sea

Volga River Some of world’s longest rivers flow through Russia and provide water for irrigation as well as serve as transportation routes and sources of electric power for many parts of the country. In Western Russia 4 th longest river in world Important to Russia Drains much of eastern part of Russia’s NEP and connects Moscow to the Caspian Sea and Black Sea Canals link it to the Baltic Sea and provides a water route to Europe Also provides hydroelectric power and water for srinking and irrigation 2/3S of Russia’s water traffic travels along the river Heavy use of river has created challenges Fed by melting snow Supplies 33% if Russia’s usable water but half ot it returns to river carrying waste Dams interrupt its flow and mess with wildlife and drinking supplies

River Systems in Siberia Most of the longest rivers in Russia are located here In total carry about 84% of country’s water However only 25% of population live there. The Ob, Irtysh, Yenisy, and Lena are among world’s largest river systems –Flow north to the Arctic Ocean –Temperatures are warmer at rivers sources in south than at mouths in the north –Are blocked by ice in the North –The melt waters flood the land creating swamps and marshes The Amur River drains eastward and forms border b/t Russia and China for about 1000 miles –Influenced by summer monsoon winds from southeast –Valley here is warmer than rest of Siberia –Supplies Siberia with its main food producing areas

Natural Resources Lots located in remote and climatically unfavorable areas difficult to get to or transport out

Mineral Resources Huge amounts Russia is especially rich in fossil fuels holding large petroleum deposits and 16% of world’s coal reserves Located mainly in remote areas of eastern Siberia Leads world in nickel production Ranks among the top 3 producers of aluminum, gemstones, and platinum Also leading producer of natural gas but is located in Northern Siberia

Water Resources Russia’s rivers make it a leading producer of hydroelectric power

Soil Only about 10% of land can support agriculture and this is just enough to support the population Grow lots of grains and vegetables Land in north and east is permafrost: permanently frozen layer of soil that lies beneath surface of the ground The Black Earth Belt –Wide, fertile band of land –About 250 million acres –Stretches from Ukraine to Southwestern Siberia –Challenge for transporting crops from where are grown in chernozem soils of south to cities in north is challenge because of large distances

Forests About 1/5 of world’s forests lie in Russia 75% of them in Siberia Is second only to the Amazon Rain Forest in the amount of oxygen returned to the atmosphere. Supplies much of the world’s timber (mainly pine, fir, spruce, and cedar) As result of commerical logging and wildfires Russian forests have shrunk by almost 40 million acres each year which is a rate loss higher than that of the Amazon

Fish Important to Russian diet and economy Salmon from Pacific and herring, cod, and halibut from Arctic Ocean supports the fishing industry Caviar –Salted fish eggs –World famous –Supply has declined –Dams built on Volga River have interrupted the migration of sturgeon the fish that provide the eggs for caviar –It is also often fished illegally to meet the global demand for this delicacy

Climate and Vegetation of Russia

Influences on Climates of Russia Most of Russia is located in high latitudes –Winters are long and cold and summers are relatively short and cool Coldest temperatures are found in Eastern Siberia VERKHOOYANSK is called the cold pole of the world and January temperatures are as low as -90 F Western Europe has more moderate temperatures due to warmer air from the Atlantic Ocean Most of Russia is too far away from any influence of the moderating ocean influences –As result the interior experiences more extreme variations in temperatures and little precipitation. –This effect is called continentality= when interior portions of landmass has wider variations in temperatures and less precipitation

High Latitudes Tundra Subarctic

Tundra Found in far North Vast treeless plain Hugs edges of Arctic Seas Almost entire region lies north of Arctic Circle which is 66 degrees latitude Patch also in Siberia From Finish word tunturia which means treeless plain Average annual temperature is below freezing Sky stays dark for many weeks before and after December 22 and for several weeks during summer has continuous sunlight About 10% of Russia Short growing season Thin acidic soil lying just above permafrost which limits the kinds of plants that can grow so its only mosses, linches, algae, and drawf shrubs

Subarctic Largest climate region in Russia Found south of tundra region Some of world’s coldest temperatures found here 120 to 250 days out of year snow covers the ground Supports taiga (ty guh) –A boreal forest belt –Covers 2/5s of western Russia –Extends into much of Siberia –Its about the size of the US –Its world largest coniferous forests –Contains about ½ of worlds soft timber

Mid Latitude Much milder climates Milder winters and summers This is where most live in Russia Most of agricultural production takes place here Humid continental is main mid latitude climate –Most of Russia’s NEP and small part of Siberia –Moscow lies in this region –Negative 9 degrees to 14 degrees in January –66 TO 99 degrees in July –Vegetation is coniferous taiga which gives way to mixed forests –Soils are more fertile –Farming methods and fertilizers make areas more productive –Further south this gives way to temperate grasslands and rich chernozem soil which makes these grasslands ideal for crop production especially sunflowers, sugar beets and wheat

how Russian’s climate helped its people fight off Napoleon June 1812 French army of over men entered Russia Forced Russians to retreat eastward for 1000 miles As retreated burned own villages and country sides to prevent the invaders from having food and shelter Lacking food and supplies the French army had to retreat Fewer than made it out

How Climate Helped Fight Off Hitler During WWII Hitler’s army advanced Scorched earth policy used again Dec 1941 Weren’t expecting such brutal winter Front line temps felt as low as -40 degrees Paralyzed tanks, mechanized vehicles, artillery and aircraft German army had to retreat

Steppe Found between Black and Caspian Sea North of Caucasus Mountains Also a piece along Russia’s border with Kazakhstan Temperate grasslands Dry summers Long cold dry winters with swirling winds and blowing snow Rich cheronzem soil has organic matter that makes plants grow well Seas of grasses stretch to horizon in every direction Sunflowers, mint, beans In recent years introduction of foreign plants and overgrazing by animals has been damaging ecosystem here Newly introduced plant species crowd out native grasses causing soil fertility to decline

Essay Questions Describe several natural resources of Russia. (3 pts each) Explain at least one concern with each one.(2 pts each)