RUSSIA & THE REPUBLICS “A land of extremes”

--Russia is approximately 3 times the landmass of the United States, and sprawls across two continents Russia & Asia --crosses 11 times zones

MAJOR LANDFORMS Northern European Plain --75% of the countries population resides here --Chernozem- called “black earth” is a dark soil that is one of the most fertile in world. --Ukraine is called regions “Breadbasket” --3 of the regions largest cities are located here Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kiev

Ural Mountains --dividing line between Europe & Asia. --Eurasia: the combined continent of Europe & Asia

Ural Mountains from airplane

Caucasus Mountains --separates the Black & Caspian Sea --border between Russia and Transcaucasia (region that consists of the republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.

Volga River --longest river on the European continent. --flows south from Moscow and drains into Caspian Sea --carries 60% of Russia’s river traffic

Lake Baikal --deepest lake in the world --holds 20% of the world’s freshwater --has world’s only freshwater seal

Caspian Sea --saltwater lake --largest inland sea

--Since 1960’s has lost 80% of it’s volume. Aral Sea --saltwater lake --Since 1960’s has lost 80% of it’s volume. --could vanish in 20-30 years

Climate & Vegetation of Russia ….remember climate is determined by latitude. What else determines Russia’s climate? --Also the mountains in the southeast portion of Russia --Russia’s enormous size. --continentality: the effect of distance on climate.

Siberia has the longest stretch of cold weather. The rivers and roads of Siberia are permanently frozen. Also known as Permafrost

--Russia has a large subartic climate. --There are huge temperature variations.