Ch. 14.2- Human Geography of the Russian Core

Which areas are the MOST densely populated parts of Russia? the eastern and northern regions the west and southwestern regions the eastern and western regions the center of the country b

Warm-up #2- Video 1. In what ways did the Soviet government manage the economy and provide for its population? 2. Why did the Soviet economy fail? 3. How did life change for the Russian population after the collapse of the Soviet system?

Answers to Warm-up #2 Under the Soviet system, the government owned everything, planned everything, and looked after everyone from birth to death. The Soviet economy was inefficient, corrupt, and stagnant. The economy failed to provide the information and incentives that are necessary for a successful economy. Under the Soviet system, the population was controlled in every aspect of their lives. People had reliable jobs in government-owned companies. After the collapse, people were left to fend for themselves. While some Russians got rich, most got poorer.

History and Government Human Geography of the Russian Core History and Government Unrest during World War I triggered, or set off, the Russian Revolution of 1917, signaling the demise of Europe’s last absolute monarchy. The Communist-controlled Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) emerged and engaged in a political and ideological war with the West. The collapse of the Soviet Union led to the independence of 15 different countries in the region, including Belarus and Ukraine.

Unrest during World War I triggered, or set off, the Russian Revolution of 1917, signaling the demise of Europe’s last absolute monarchy.

The Russian Revolution is the collective term for a pair of revolutions in Russia in 1917, which dismantled the Tsarist autocracy and led to the eventual rise of the Soviet Union.

The Communist-controlled Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) emerged and engaged in a political and ideological war with the West.

Cold War b/w USSR and USA

The collapse of the Soviet Union led to the independence of 15 different countries in the region, including Belarus and Ukraine.

Human Geography of the Russian Core Population Patterns About 80 percent of Russians live west of the Ural Mountains where there is rich soil, waterways, and a milder climate. After the fall of the Soviet Union, people were free to migrate, and many settled in cities, such as the capital city of Moscow. The region is facing a population decline, with death rates increasing while birth rates are falling, resulting in a smaller, but older population.

About 80 percent of Russians live west of the Ural Mountains where there is rich soil, waterways, and a milder climate.

After the fall of the Soviet Union, people were free to migrate, and many settled in cities, such as the capital city of Moscow.

The region is facing a population decline, with death rates increasing while birth rates are falling, resulting in a smaller, but older population.

Smaller, older population

Society and Culture Today Human Geography of the Russian Core Society and Culture Today The Soviet government promoted atheism and discriminated against different ethnic groups. In the late 1980s the government began to loosen its restrictions on religion and the arts, leading people to rediscover both. Russian women have a long history of working, first in industry and now in all sectors; financial necessity is increasing their numbers in the workforce, contributing to a lower birth rate.

The Soviet government promoted atheism and discriminated against different ethnic groups.

In the late 1980s the government began to loosen its restrictions on religion and the arts, leading people to rediscover both.

Nesting Dolls 19th Century painting

GDP(per person) = Increasing

Russian women have a long history of working, first in industry and now in all sectors; financial necessity is increasing their numbers in the workforce, contributing to a lower birth rate.

Human Geography of the Russian Core Economic Activities With the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia experienced a rocky transition from a command economy to a market economy. Natural resources account for most of Russia’s exports, such as crude oil, minerals, and lumber. Although a key trading partner with Russia, Ukraine remains wary of Russia’s former power and is considering joining the European Union. Belarus remains industrially integrated and closely allied with Russia.

With the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia experienced a rocky transition from a command economy to a market economy.

Today, Russia's government is a democracy that shows signs of moving towards more government control.

Natural resources account for most of Russia’s exports, such as crude oil, minerals, and lumber.

Although a key trading partner with Russia, Ukraine remains wary of Russia’s former power and is considering joining the European Union.

Belarus remains industrially integrated and closely allied with Russia.