1. Russia Moscow’s Red Square Taiga in Siberia

2. Map of Russia

3. A) The Land Largest country in the world. It is in Europe and Asia. Extreme northern location. Arctic Ocean is to the north of Russia. Shipping is very difficult most of the year because of ice. Has ports on Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Pacific Ocean.

4. Icy Arctic Ocean

5. 1) Ural Mountains Separates the continents Europe and Asia. Runs 1,500 miles North to South. Old mountains that have been worn by erosion. Only about 2000 feet above sea level.

6. Ural Mountains

7. 2) Plains West of the Ural mts., is the North European Plain. 75% of Russia lives here. Largest cities are in the N.E.P. (Moscow, St.Petersburg) St. Petersburg is the leading industrial and cultural center. Most industries and farms are here. East of the Ural mts., is Siberia.

8. 3) Highlands There are 2 highland regions. 1) Central Siberian Plateau 2) East Siberian Uplands- A wilderness of forests, mountains, and plateaus. The endangered Siberian tiger lives here. Far north area has large areas of tundra stretch along the shore.

9. Endangered Animal

10. Highlands Con’t South of tundra there is large area of evergreen forests. What is it called? Nickname is green ocean.

11. 4) Caucasus Mountains Located in Southwest Russia. Thickly covered with pine trees. Mt. Elbrus is the tallest mountain in Europe.

12. 5) Inland Water Areas Caspian Sea (A saltwater lake) is the size of California; largest inland body of water in the world. Lake Baikal is the deepest freshwater lake in the world. Some rivers are Lena, Ob, Yenisey all flow into the Arctic Ocean.

13. Caspian Sea

14. B) Climate Northern location near Arctic Ocean has short summers, and long cold winters. Siberia- Snow is on the ground 8-9 months. The average temp. in January is -45 degrees. North European Plain has a humid continental climate. Southern Russia has a partly dry steppe climate.

15. People of Russia Population: 143 million people (#9) Main ethnic group: Russian 80% Main language: Russian Main religion: Russian Orthodox 74% of people live in an urban setting. Life expectancy: 69.85 yrs old (#152) Literacy rate 99.7%

16. Economy of Russia Under Soviet Union, was a communist gov’t. Soviet Union’s Communist leaders created the world’s largest command economy. Gov’t owns all land, resources, industries, and farms. In 1991 Soviet Union collapsed and so did this type of economy. Present day- Russia has a free enterprise economy just like the United States.

17. Economy continued GDP: 2.5 trillion (#7) Exports: 528 billion (#9) Petroleum products, natural gas, metals, wood products. (Netherlands 14%, China 6%) Imports: 336 billion (#16) Machinery, Vehicles, pharmaceutical products, plastic (China 16%, Germany 10%) Farming makes up only 4% of Russia’s economy. Only 7% of Russia’s land is able to be farmed on.

18. Gov’t of Russia Gov’t- Federation Gained independence on August 24, 1991 from the Soviet Union. President- Vladimir Putin (since May 7, 2012) President elected for a six year term with the ability to be re-elected. President Putin doesn’t get along real well with the U.S., one reason is that he is an ally/friend of Syrian’s president Bashar al-Assad. There are 9 time zone in Russia!

19. Chapter 15 Section 1 Russia Colored By: Autumn and Kelsey

20. A) The Economy 1922-1991 Russia was in the Soviet Union. Soviet Union practiced Communism. This is where the government controls everything in the economy.

21. 1) Government Controls Soviet Union’s Communist leaders created the world’s largest command economy. Gov’t owns all land, resources, industries, and farms. Leaders use 5 year plans to run Soviet’s economy. Emphasized more heavy industry than light industry.

22. 2) Collapse of Communism In 1985 Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev wanted to rebuild the economy. IN 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed. Russia and other countries that were in the Soviet Union became independent countries.

23. Mikhail Gorbachev

24. 3) A New Beginning Russia now has a free enterprise system (like the U.S.) Businesses are privately owned, operating for profit with little gov’t control. Russia’s economy is still struggling. Goods are scarce, and prices have gone up.

25. B) Economic Regions Most of Russia’s industries are located in Europe. Short growing season, but its farmland is extremely productive. Under free enterprise system, factories have focused more on light industry than heavy industry. There are 4 economic regions.

26. 1) Moscow 800 years old. It is the capital city of Russia. The political, economical, and cultural center of Russia. Manufacturing occurs here. Farmers raise dairy cattle, barley, oats, potatoes, corn, and sugar beets.

27. 2)Port Cities 2 important port cities (St. Petersburg, and Kaliningrad) Russia owns a small piece of land on the Baltic Sea that is separate from the rest of the country. Kaliningrad is the only port that is free from ice all year. St. Petersburg is a vital port city and cultural center. Factories produce light machinery, textiles, and medical equipment.

28. Homework Test on Tuesday. - 130 Points. Review game on Monday. Make sure you start studying.

29. 3) Siberia Large supply of minerals in Russia (iron ore, uranium, gold, diamonds, and coal.) Lots of oil and natural gas is beneath the frozen ground in Northern Siberia. Getting these resources is very difficult because of __________________.

30. 4) Volga & Urals Volga river carries 50% of Russia’s river traffic. Provides water for hydroelectric power and irrigation. (Best farmland is here) Both contain large deposits of oil and natural gas. Mts. Have copper, gold, nickel.

31. Chapter 15 Section 2 Russia’s people and Culture

32. A) Political Challenges Before 1991 Soviet Union was a communist government. Today Russia is a democracy (Federal Republic) government. Russia’s president has more power of his country than the U.S. president has of his country.

33. 1) Presidents of Russia Russia’s presidents (Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin) used their power to develop & strengthen Russia’s economy and democracy. Current president of Russia is Dmitry Medvedev.

34. B) Ethnic Challenges Many different ethnic groups (About 100) Russians, Ukrainians, and Belorussians are part of a larger group called Slavs. 80% of the people are Slavs who speak Russian. What is a majority group?

35. C) Daily Life 75% of people live in the North European Plain. (West of the Ural Mts.) Many people live in apartments in the cities of Russia. Religion: 70% of people follow Russian Orthodox

36. D) Sports/Food Winter and indoor sports are extremely popular. (Hockey, Tennis, Basketball, Figure Skating, Camping, Mountain Climbing) Borscht: Soup made from beets Shchi: Soup made from cabbage Meat, poultry, or fish with potatoes is very common for dinner.