Moscow Europe and Asia Urals Volga, Ob, Yenisey, Lena Vladivostok You and your Matrioskha doll are planning a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Answer the following questions about your trip using atlas pages A22-23 or the paperback atlas pages 120-121 1. Name the capital city where you will board the train. 2. Name the two continents you will travel through. 3. What mountain range will you be able to see? 4. Name the city that is located at 55 degrees North and 83 degrees East. It is home to the largest railway station along the Trans-Siberian route. 5. Name some of the rivers you might cross while on the train. 6. You stop for a few hours to visit the world’s deepest lake located in Siberia. Name this lake. 7. Your journey has come to a halt. Name the city where the railroad ends. Hint: It is located on the Sea of Japan Moscow Europe and Asia Urals Novosibirsk Volga, Ob, Yenisey, Lena Lake Baikal Vladivostok

Cultural Characteristics Russia and Central Asia

The vast country of Russia is made up of many ethnic groups. Russian Ethnic Groups The vast country of Russia is made up of many ethnic groups.

RUSSIA: Ballet (bal-ay) St. Petersburg’s Kirov Ballet became one of the world’s largest dance companies--government sponsorship Russia is also famous for its music and composers like Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky.

Mikhail Baryshnikov

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky His 1812 overture, composed in 1880, is a graphic musical description of the forced retreat of Napoleon’s armies from Moscow. http://encarta.msn.com/media_461516183_761577231_-1_1/Peter_Ilyich_Tchaikovsky.html

RUSSIA: Faberge’ Eggs Carl Faberge’ (FAB-ur-ZHAY)-was a jeweler Made Easter eggs for Russian czars (Alexander III, Nicholas II) The eggs are now very expensive antiques

Faberge’ Eggs Cultural Heritage http://www.faberge.de/english/hauptframe.htm http://www.faberge.de/english/hauptframe.htm http://www.faberge.de/english/hauptframe.htm Cultural Heritage

RUSSIA: Matrioshka Dolls (may-tree-OH-shka) Russian “nesting” dolls Translation: means “little mother”

Samovars Russian tea urn Early ones made of brass or copper and heated by burning coal Center of home—family heirloom -often the only item taken by refugees

Oriental Rugs Oldest rug found in Siberia Major manufacturing in Central Asia, Turkey and Caucasus Mountains. Famous textiles in Asian Russia and the “Stans”

Oriental carpets

Icons Religious Paintings †Representations of Christ, the Virgin Mary & the Saints †Play a major part in church life - they are kissed, and expected to heal, and work miracles.

From the Novosibirsk Art Gallery Russian Icons From the Novosibirsk Art Gallery All pictures from: gallery.nsc.ru/Percol/ Icons/icons_e.html Cultural Landscape

Russian (Eastern) Orthodox Church (Christianity) Split from the Roman Catholic Church

Russian Orthodox Churches The Orthodox church has very different rituals from a Catholic or Protestant Christian service. The congregation is separated from the priest by a door and there are no statues of three-dimensional images in the church. Instead the walls are covered with icons which are revered by the members of the congregation. http://rhelp.users.netlink.co.uk/photo/ruspic/churches.htm Cultural Landscape

Mosques Islamic house of worship Found throughout Russia and Central Asia Mosques

Minarets The minaret is a traditional part of a mosque. It is generally used by the muezzin, who calls people to prayer by chanting from the top of the tower. Cultural Landscape

Siberian Villages Siberia stretches from Ural Mountains Eastward Siberians either fish or herd reindeer Built during construction of Trans-Siberian Railroad

RUSSIA: Soviet-style Apartments Ordered to be built by the government-more about quantity than quality Family had only 1-2 rooms Drafty, leaky plumbing

Soviet-style apartment blocks http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/rgruys/Mongolia/ublife.htm http://www.comptons.com/encyclopedia/CAPTIONS/20005826_P.html New housing developments are scarce in downtown Moscow. Many cpomplexes have recently been built on the outskirts of the city, particularly in the southwest and the north, to lessen the burden of overpopulation. Cultural Landscape

MOSCOW Red Square St. Basil’s Church Kremlin

St. Basil’s Church Ordered to be built by Ivan the Terrible. Legend says he blinded the artists so they would never built anything as beautiful again. Located in Moscow’s Red Square contains no pews or seats, parishioners stand

St. Basil’s Church This stunning cathedral was built in 1555-60 by the architects Barma and Posnik and is composed of nine separate churches that share one foundation. The building stands outside the Kremlin wall, at one end of Red Square. http://www.insiderussia.org/basilcredits.html Cultural Landscape

Red Square Once served as a market place 500,000 square feet of open land people gather to celebrate state events Monument and tomb of Lenin (founder of the Soviet Union) is there- famous tourist attraction

The Kremlin Located in the Red Square in Moscow triangular shaped (was once a fort) political & administrative center seat of the Russian government

Yurt (Tent) Used by nomadic peoples of Central Asia (Mongolia) Portable Not widely used anymore – mostly tourist attractions

Moscow IMPORTANT CITIES: The current capital and largest city in Russia. http://4maps.4anything.com/network-frame/0,1855,4739-86392,00.html Important Cities

St. Petersburg http://www.geographic.org/maps/russia_maps.html St. Petersburg was the capital of Russia at one time. Named after Peter the Great. It is known as the “Venice of the North”. It is also referred to as Russia’s “Window to the West” Important Cities

Situated along the Trans-Siberian Novosibirsk Situated along the Trans-Siberian Railroad