Russia! NOW and THEN

U.S.S.R = Union of Soviet Socialist Republics The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (also known as the USSR or Soviet Union for short) consisted of Russia and surrounding countries that today make up Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. The USSR was founded in 1924, seven years after the Russian Revolution overthrew the monarchy of the czar, and was dissolved in late 1991. Of the fifteen constituent republics of the USSR, three of these countries declared and were granted independence a few months preceding the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The remaining twelve did not become independent until the USSR fell completely on December 26, 1991.

Use pages RA18-19, RA26-27 or Paperback Atlas PG.83 and 93. On your map locate and name these 15 countries that were once part of the U.S.S.R. Use pages RA18-19, RA26-27 or Paperback Atlas PG.83 and 93. _________________ U.S.S.R =

Government & Economy From 1917 to 1991 this region was controlled by a communist government and was known as the Soviet Union or U.S.S.R. – Union of Soviet Socialist Republic This region transitioned from a communist to a democratic government. This region is now in transition from a command to a free market economy Since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1992 there have been many political and economic difficulties.

Fertile Triangle Region: Most chernozem soil is found in the Fertile Triangle of Western Russia. Therefore, farming is concentrated in this region. *esp wheat Because people could grow food in the triangle, this is where the majority of the population lives and where industry has been developed.

Central Asia COTTON! What type of agriculture would you find? Remember what the Aral Sea was being diverted for? COTTON!

This region has little capital to develop infrastructure. The countries depend on existing river and canal transportation routes. One successful level of the Russian infrastructure is the Trans-Siberian Railroad which was completed in 1905. Stretches from Moscow to Vladivostok

Energy Resources: Hydroelectric Power, Oil, and Natural Gas Oil reserves can be found in the Caspian Sea Not sure how much oil is there because the countries don’t have the capital resources to find out – it is very expensive to drill for oil

Natural Resources: Russia has many natural resources like oil, coal, and natural gas. So why hasn’t Russia been able to fully develop these resources? Harsh climate in much of its land The country is very LARGE with limited transportation links All in all it’s just too expensive (for now…)

Under the control of the USSR, this nuclear disaster occurred in the Ukraine in 1986 Caused much radiation pollution= still impacts today Chernobyl

The INCREDIBLE SHRINKING Aral Sea The Aral Sea is : - located between Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan - shrinking quickly - due to irrigation for cotton farming in Central Asia and is heavily polluted due to agricultural run off

Samarkand, Uzbekistan - Major Trade Route on the SILK ROAD -- system of passageways between Asia and Europe. Silks, spices, perfumes and jewels. PAGES 375 - 376

Once the world's fourth largest lake, the mighty Aral Sea is now in it's death throws. Starved of it's lifeblood of the waters of the Syr Darya and the Amu Darya rivers, the sea has been shrinking for the last 40 years. The name "Aral Sea" originates from the word "aral" which means island. The sea's name reflected the fact that it was a vast lake lying as an island amongst the surrounding waterless deserts. The destruction of the Aral began in Moscow in the 1950s, when Soviet economic planners decided, with the confidence of people wielding absolute power, to order the transformation of Central Asia’s dry lands into the world’s largest cotton belt.

What countries surround the Aral Sea What countries surround the Aral Sea? What is the climate of those countries? 2. What rivers flow into the Aral Sea? Why did the Soviet Union divert water from the rivers that flow into the Aral Sea? 4. What do you think has happened to the fishing industry in towns that border the Aral Sea?