Russia and the Former Russian Republics

Physical Geography

Russia…it’s big

Russia’s Land Size• A comparatively small (<145 million[The USSR

had 293 m.]) and concentrated population.• Concentrated development.• Multicultural state.• Minimal ports; limited access to a warm water

masses (except the Pacific at Vladivostok).• Dimensions

– Spans 11 time zones.– Gulf of Finland to Alaska (west to east), and well

above the arctic circle to New York city (north to south)

– Twice the size of the US or China.– Siberia: “sleeping land”.– Russia makes up 76.6% of the total territory of the

former USSR (17,075,400 km--almost twice the size of the US).

Population of Russia

Russian Climate• Affected by 3 natural

conditions.• Latitudinal position:

– Colder climate with increasing latitude.

– 60˚ North latitude line; split the country in half.

• Continental position:– Dryer air.– Limited temperature

regulation by oceanic masses.

• Altitudinal effect:– Colder climate with

increasing altitude.– Location of major

mountains.– Limited impact for Russia.

Factors Affecting Climate

Tundra

Taiga

Northern Landforms– Northern European Plain

• Eastern Europe and western Russia

• Chernozem: Black earth, especially good for agriculture

• 75% of region’s population– West Siberian Plain

• Separated from NEP by Urals• Rivers flow North to Arctic

– Central Siberian Plateau• East of Yenisey River• High plateaus and mountains

– Russian Far East• East of Lena River• Volcanic Mountain ranges • Russia and Japan claim

ownership of Kuril Islands

Russia and Alaska: the small islands are 2.4 miles apart, the mainlands are 55 miles apart

Mountains• Mountains: divide

and border the region– Ural Mountains

divide Europe and Asia

– Caucasus Mountains are very rugged; isolate people

– Central Asian mountains (Tian Shan and Paimirs) are pretty rugged as well

– Pacific coast = lots of large mountains

Water• Volga: Europe’s longest• Most Russian rivers run

S N– Problem: mouths frozen

most of the year• Creates floods as water

backs up• Use icebreakers to free up

channels• Caspian and Aral Seas

actually saltwater lakes– Aral Sea lost 80% of

water in last 40 years– Could be gone in 20-30

years• Lake Baikal

– Deepest lake in the world– 20% of world’s fresh

water– 400 miles north to south

Regional Climates• Weather similar to

Canada and Alaska– Summers can be mild– Winters = long, cold

• Shorter days the further north you are

– Siberia is harshest• - 40° F; Winter =

habitation fogs (pollution)

• Subarctic and Tundra in northern Siberia– Permafrost (up to 300

feet deep)• Humid continental in

European part (NYC, Chicago)

• Steppe along Russia’s southern border

• Steppe and desert in Central Asia

• Mediterranean / Highland in Caucasus

Climate of Russia

Dailies: Physical Russia• What is the population of Russia in

comparison with the US?• Where do most people in Russia

live?• Describe Siberia.• What did Russia used to be called?

How many Republics broke away?• List as many things as you can

about Russian culture. Yes, you can include food.

Dailies: Notes Part Deux1. What are the four landforms of

the north?2. Describe the mountains in the

East of Russia.3. What affects the climate of

Russia? (Three things)4. Describe the steppe.5. When is the chapter 17 reading

quiz?