Meanwhile in Russia

Russia and the Republics

1) Location

Four Main Chunks!Russia The biggest oneEuropean Republics Ukraine, Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), Moldova and Belorussia Caucasus Republics Georgia, Armenia, AzerbaijanCentral Asian Republics Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan

Mountain RangesUral Mts.Separate Northern European Plain and Western Siberian Plain

Caucasus Mts.Separate Russia from Transcaucasia

Tian ShanVery tall mountains that prevent moisture and cause arid climate

Rivers and LakesRiversOb (5th)Yenisey (7th) LenaVolga

Seas & LakesCaspian Sea Largest Lake in the World

Aral Sea (Lake Aral)Lost 90% of water since 1960 (irrigation)

BaikalDeepest Lake in World 5,715 feet (Over 1 Mile)20% of worlds freshwater!

2) Human Environment Interaction

Physical GeographyRussia is the largest country in the world.

Russia has a variety of landscapes, ranging from tundra to steppes, from deserts to mountains, from glaciers to volcanoes.

Siberia part of Russia East of Ural MountainsTundra Soil is frozenTaiga Season forest located south of the Tundra

The Urals are the oldest mountains in the world

Lake Baikal is the world's deepest lake and largest reservoir of fresh water on earth.

ClimateExtremely cold most of the year!

Continentality: No wind or ocean currents to moderate temperature or bring precipitation!

PlainsNorthern European PlainContains Chernozem Fertile Soil75% of population of Russia live in this area

Western Siberian PlainBetween Ural Mountains and Yenisey River

ResourcesResourcesOilTimberCoalIron OreHydroelectric Power

ProblemsResources are located in remote places (Siberia)Use without polluting

Chernobyl: Nuclear DisasterChernobyl was a nuclear power plant in the USSR, in what is now Ukraine.

On April 26th, 1986 one of the reactors got out of control, and exploded (not a nuclear explosion).

Because of the design of the reactor, radiation was released into the atmosphere, spreading across Europe and eventually the world.

300,000 people were forced to leave their homes forever. Cancer and leukemia rates in the region increased drastically.

Cleanup cost billions, and involved hundred of thousands of workers, many of whom now suffer health problems. The area is still empty and somewhat hazardous even today.

Draining the Aral Sea

3) Movement

Population and Demographics of Russia and the RepublicsRussia and the European republics generally have aging, shrinking populations.

Central Asian republics have fewer people but higher birthrates, increasing their small populations.

Trans-Siberian Railroad5,700 miles longCrosses 7 Times ZonesConnects more populated areas with areas that contain the most resources (coal, iron ore)Helped settle uninhabited areas

4) Place

Historical Overview of Russia and the RepublicsAncient Russia Slavic tribes conquered by Vikings called the Rus.

Medieval Russia (800s 1300s) Kievan Rus, then later Muscovy ruled area.

The Mongol Yoke (1270s 1500s) Golden Horde invaded Russia, ruled for two centuries off and on.

Russian Empire (1500s 1918) Russia ruled by the Czars, until Russian Revolution and Romanov family killed in 1918

Soviet Union (1918-1991) Communist government ruled the entire region as one country, until ended by Mikhail Gorbachev in 1991.

Commonwealth of Independent States (1992-Present) Loose alliance of Russia and the various Republics.

Economy of Russia and the RepublicsUntil 1991, Soviet Union was a Communist country.

Russia and republics have ample natural resources, but struggling economies.

Economies are usually dominated by oligarchs, wealthy businessmen often tied to organized crime.

Government corruption and old infrastructure hinder development. Russia especially has advanced sciences, but lags in technological application.

5) Regions

RussiaLargest nation in the region143,000,000Per Capita GDP $18,000Predominantly Russian Orthodox Christian, with large Muslim populations in the south. Demographic Changes: Low birthrates among Russians and high birthrates among Muslim populations are changing several nations. Vladimir Putin rules Russia through personal influence and official powers.Lingering effects of Communism: Decayed infrastructure, severe pollution, and government corruption remain big problems.Russias Place in the World: The Soviet Union was a superpower, but Russia is much weaker than in the past. They want to be on top again, and Vladimir Putin is trying to regain this position.

European RepublicsRegion includes: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine

Most speak Russian or related Slavic languages.Most practice Orthodox Christianity.Ukraine is largest and most successful republic outside Russia.

Lingering effects of Communism: Decayed infrastructure, severe pollution, and government corruption remain big problems.Governments of region have tried to modernize and remove Communist influences.

Caucasus RegionRegion includes: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and parts of Russia

Separatism and Ethnic Conflict: Ethnic groups in Chechnya and other places are fighting to have their own countries.

Lingering effects of Communism: Decayed infrastructure, severe pollution, and government corruption remain big problems.

Central Asian RepublicsRegion includes: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan

Most can speak Russian, but local languages are related to Persian or Turkish. 90%+ of Central Asians practice Sunni Islam, but many other religions are present in small numbers. Central Asian republics dominated by ex-Communists or dictators same president since 1990.Lingering effects of Communism: Decayed infrastructure, severe pollution, and government corruption remain big problems.

Supplemental VideoFall of Communism Berlin Wall Comes Down on Nov 9th, 1989 Official End of Cold War on Dec 3rd, 1989Yeltsin Russians Reject Communists on Aug 19th, 1991Chechnya War on Chechnya (1998) War in Chechnya (news footage 2000)Putin Vladimir Putin on PBS (10:00)