The Physical Geography of Russia Unit 5 – Chapter 14 The Physical Geography of Russia

I. Section I The Land

A. A Vast and Varied Land Russia is the world’s largest country Covers 6.6 million sq. miles Stretches over two continents--What major land feature divides the continents? Spans 11 time zones

Mountains and Plateaus Ural Mountains Caucasus Mountains Mount Elbrus – extinct volcano – highest point Central Siberian Plateau Mt. Elbrus

Ural Mountains: “The Great Divide” 1500 miles Divides the European and Asian sections of Russia.

The Ural Mountains

A. (cont) Plains Areas North European Plain West Siberian Plain Chernozem – rich black soil About 75% of Russia’s population lives here West Siberian Plain

Coasts, Seas, and Lakes Longest coastline in the world Caspian Sea – largest inland sea in the world (salt water) Lake Baikal – deepest freshwater lake in the world Contains about 20% of the earth’s total supply of freshwater Lake Baikal

B. Rivers The Volga River (“Mother Volga”) Vital to Russia (transportation, hydroelectric power) Frozen ½ of the year Provides 33% of Russia’s usable water Very polluted

The Volga River The river is so polluted that the sturgeon catch has been decreased by 60%.

Siberian Rivers Ob, Irtysh, Yenisey, & Lena Amur Lena River Siberian Rivers Ob, Irtysh, Yenisey, & Lena Flow north to the Arctic Ocean Amur Flows eastward

C. Natural Resources Minerals & Energy Russia has a huge reserve of mineral resources Petroleum Coal Natural Gas Nickel Aluminum, gemstones Hydroelectric Power – leader in the world

-Russia’s Fishing Industry -Soil and Forest Land 10% land – agriculture – permafrost Black Earth Belt 1/5 of remaining world forests in Russia – Siberia 2nd to the Amazon for oxygen returned to atmosphere -Russia’s Fishing Industry Fish important to Russian diet & economy

II. Section II Climate & Vegetation

Former Soviet Region Compared in Latitude & Area with the United States

A. Russia’s Climates & Vegetation Most of Russia is characterized by a harsh climate of long, cold winters and short, relatively cool summers. Coldest winter temps. = E. Siberia

B. High Latitudes Climates Tundra – vast treeless plain Almost all of the places with this climate lie north of the Arctic Circle About 10% of Russia Subarctic Dominate climate region Some of the world’s coldest temperatures occur there For 120-150 days a year, snow covers the ground Taiga – forest belt Living in a Cold Climate What adjustments would you have to make?

Siberia --> Permafrost Average temperatures of January vary from 0 to -50°, and in July from 1 to 25°C 150,000,000 population. A former “gulag” Soviet prison camp.

C. Mid-Latitude Climates Humid Continental Most of Russia’s N. European Plain War & Winter Cold winters have played a key role in wars (pg. 354-5) Napoleon's Retreat from Moscow German POWs at Stalingrad

Steppe Small area Temperate grassland area

Steppes: “Soviet” Breadbasket

The Steppes 25% of the old Soviet Union’s food supply.