2.  Russia is the largest country in the world  It occupies approximately 3 times the land area of the U.S. (look at the comparing data chart on pg. 337)  Russia sprawls across 2 continents, both Europe and Asia, crossing 11 time zones.

3.  The Northern European Plain stretches over 1,000 miles across western Russia.  One of the most fertile soils, called Chernozem, is found on this plain.  Nearly 75% of Russia’s population live on this plain.

4.  The Ural Mountains separate the Northern European Plain and Western Siberian Plain.  Some geographers recognize the Ural Mountains as the dividing line between Europe and Asia.  Others consider Europe and Asia to be a single continent called Eurasia.

5.  The Caucasus Mountains stretch across the land that separates the Black Sea and Caspian Sea.  These mountains also form a border between Russia and Transcaucasia- a region that includes the countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.

6.  Central Asia is a region that includes the countries of: - Kazakhstan - Kyrgyzstan - Tajikistan - Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan.

7.  An extensive lowland called the Turan Plain lies between the Caspian Sea and the mountains of Central Asia.  2 major rivers flow through this plain: -Syr Darya -Amu Darya

8.  The Volga River is the largest river on the European continent.  It begins near Moscow and drains into the Caspian Sea, carrying 60% of Russia’s river water.

9.  2 major seas located in Central Asia are: - Caspian Sea - Aral Sea (which is shrinking due to using its water for irrigation of nearby farms, look at pg. 353)  Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world. It is more than a mile deep and holds 20% of the world’s freshwater.

10.  Russia and the Republics have huge reserves of coal, iron ore, and other metals.  The region is also a leading producer of oil and natural gas.

11.  Unfortunately, harsh climates, rugged terrain, and vast distances make it difficult for Russia to remove resources from the ground and transport them to markets.  Many of these resources are located in the frigid arctic and subarctic region of Siberia- the eastern part of Russia that lies on the continent of Asia.