An Introduction to Russia & the Republics Leigh Anne Hopkins December 15, 2008 Cy Woods HS World Geography Geography of Russia Includes several regional groups: 1.Russia 2.Baltic Republics 3.Western Republics 4.Transcaucasia 5.Central Asia Massive Eurasian continent large land area approximately 1.8 times the size of the US Russia Central Asia Transcaucasia Baltic Republics Western Republics Russia Spans the continents of BOTH Europe & Asia Rich cultural heritage Unique historical past Baltic Republics The countries of Estonia, Latvia, & Lithuania Former Soviet Republics Sit along the Baltic Sea in Eastern Europe Western Republics Ukraine Belarus ( meaning White Russia) Moldova All former Soviet Republics Famous today for arms trafficking: the selling of weapons to the highest bidder Ukraine & Moldova in particular stockpiled Soviet arms (weapons) after the fall of the Soviet Union Trans-Caucasus Georgia, Armenia, & Azerbaijan A gateway between Europe & Asia A variety of cultures, ethnic groups, religions, & language groups Ethnic conflicts erupted in the area after the fall of the Soviet Union Conflicts over resources, like oil, located in the Caspian Sea Central Asia (The stans) Kazakhstan (the home of Borat) Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Also former Soviet Republics Critical region to the historic Silk Road that ran directly through Central Asia Silk Road: A route carrying precious silk and other goods from China Land Area Russia & the Republics spans about 8.5 million square miles, or 1/6 th of the earths surface. Physical Features A vast landscape leads to a wide variety in physical features Ural Mountains The official geographic dividing line between Europe & Asia Rich in mineral wealth, including gems such as topaz Has been a natural barrier separating ethnic groups from Europe & Asia Those in European Russia look more European Those in Asian Russia look more Asian Siberia Vast land east of the Ural Mts. Spans 77% of Russias land area, but only 30% of its population Home to most of Russias natural resources Lake Baikal Deepest lake in the world About 1/5th of the total surface fresh water on earth More water in Lake Baikal than ALL of the Great Lakes COMBINED Caspian Sea Actually a saltwater lake Largest inland sea in the world (no outlet to ocean) Large oil deposits Aral Sea Sits to the east of the Caspian Sea Also a saltwater lake Has lost about 80% of its water volume since 1960s Could vanish completely within years if drastic measures are not taken soon Why is it shrinking? The Aral Sea is SHRINKING at an unprecedented rate. Caused by over irrigation & bad policies of the former Soviet Union Rich Natural Resources Coal, Iron Ore, Oil, Natural Gas Oil in the Caspian Sea among largest deposits in the world. Rich Natural Resources Home to 20% of worlds timber resources Trouble with Resources Problem: Rugged terrain & harsh climate makes it difficult for Russia to extract & transport resources Trans-Siberian Railroad Ordered by Czar Alexander II to link the capital in St. Petersburg to Vladivostok in the far east Designed to increase the transportation across Siberia Environmental damage Bad policies & decisions have cause unprecedented damage to Russia & the Republics For example, hydroelectric plants have emitted thermal pollution (hot water), causing damage to surrounding plant & animal life Chernobyl Nuclear power plant explosion in Soviet Union in 1986 Due to lack of safety standards in at the plant Physical Features Mountains surround Siberia on the East, West, & South, blocking warm air masses. No large mountains in the north to block cold air masses, causing a frigid temperature throughout Siberia. Continentality Continentality refers to the differences in maritime (coastal) & continental temperatures Larger range of temperatures throughout the year the farther away from the coast you are Leading to harsher winters, seen in Siberia Climate Tundra: Treeless plain, where soil is permanently frozen or permafrost Taiga: largest biome in the world with harsh continental climate & wide variation between summer & winter temperatures Broadleaf Forest: Temperature & humid biome with lots of trees The Russian Winter The harsh Russian winter helped cause the demise of Napoleans army as he tried to invade Moscow. Historical Legacy Czarist Russia Vast Russian Empire ruled by often tyrannical Czars (meaning Caesar). Romanov Dynasty lasted from when Nicholas II was forced to abdicate the thrown by revolutionaries Ivan the Terrible Catherine the Great Peter the Great Nicholas II The LAST Czar of Russia Soviet Union Began with the Bolshevik Revolution in Oct. 1917, led by Vladimir Ilyich Lenin Came to control much of Eastern Europe in the years following WWII Competed in the Cold War again the democratic West until its collapse in 1990 Joseph Stalin Nikita Khrushchev Mikhail Gorbachev Lenin Unique Architecture Onion-shaped domes were uniquely designed to withstand the weight of snow Snow would simply fall off because of the unique shape Famous Russians Fyodor Dostoyevsky: Author (Crime and Punishment) Kazimir Malevich: Artist Alexander Pushkin: Poet (Eugene Onegin) Leo Tolstoy: Author (War and Peace) Pyotr Tchaikivsky: Composer His famous Black Square painting Famous Russians Anna Kournikova Maria Sharapova Vladimir Putin In closing Russia & the Republics have left a rich cultural and historical imprint on the world Red Square St. Basils Cathedral Moscow St. Petersburg Winter Palace/Hermitage