Physical Geography of Russia and the Republics A Land of Extremes

Russia and the Republics Size 1/6 of the Earth’s land surface 3x the land area of the United States Crosses 11 time zones Population 75% of the population live in the Northern European Plain Largest cities: Moscow, Russia’s capital; St. Petersburg; and Kiev, the capital of Ukraine

The Republics Transcaucasia Separated from Russia by the Caucasus Mountains Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia Central Asia Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan

The Republics Western Republics Belarus, Moldova Ukraine and the Baltic Republics Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania The Republics

Siberia Makes up 77% of Russia’s area but only 25% of its population lives there The Trans-Siberian Railroad connects Siberia with the rest of Russia 5,753 miles, 7 time zones

Volga River Longest river on the European continent Begins near Moscow Flows south - drains into the Caspian Sea Carries 60% of Russia’s river traffic

Lakes Caspian Sea Lake Baikal Aral Sea Also a saltwater lake Actually a saltwater lake Largest inland sea in the world Lake Baikal Deepest lake in the world 20% of the world’s fresh water 5,387' (1,642 m) deep Aral Sea Also a saltwater lake Shrinking drastically since the 1960s Extensive irrigation projects diverting water away from the rivers that feed the lake

Abundant Resources Huge reserves of coal, iron ore, and metals Leading producer of oil & natural gas 1/5 of the world’s timber resources World’s largest producer of hydroelectric power Harsh climates, rugged terrain, and vast distances make it difficult to remove resources and transport them to markets

History and Government of Russia and the Republics Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union

Industrialization Peter the Great – (1682-1725) Czar – emperor of Russia Moved capital to St. Petersburg “Window to the West” Modernized Russia Wanted Russia to be more “western” Russia was slow to industrialize, trailing Europe by half a century Industrialization brings harsh working conditions and low wages Peoples’ unrest and anger with czars grows

Rise of the Soviet Union Russian Revolution – 1917 People revolt and Czar Nicholas II and family executed V.I. Lenin’s Communist Party takes control of government and economy 1922 Communist party forms Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) – moved capital back to Moscow

Command Economy Soviet leaders adopt a command economy Central government makes all major economic decisions Controls wealth: land, mines, factories, banks, and transportation systems Decides what products and crops are produced; set prices

World War II Joseph Stalin leader of USSR Leads fight against Nazi Germany Relations between USSR and its allies (including U.S.) began to worsen After war, pro-Soviet governments installed in Eastern Europe

Cold War 1940s - Tensions grow as U.S. fears worldwide Communist expansion Called the Cold War because never grew to open warfare 1980s – New Leader Mikhail Gorbachev allows more economic and political freedom Leads to collapse of the Soviet Union End of the Cold War in 1991 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snsdDb7KDkg

Fall of the Soviet Union Region divides into 15 independent Republics Russia is largest, most powerful Republic Has a popularly elected president, two-chamber Federal Assembly (Federal Republic)

VICE: The Coldest War Start at minute 15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoHJVjTtY1o

New Republic…Yes/No? Imagine you are a resident of one of the new Republics of the former USSR…. Do you agree or disagree with the independence of your country or do you wish you we’re still under Russia’s control? Illustrate your reasoning. Be creative - Use color!