Russia and the
Republics
Landforms and Resources
And Climate
Overview
Russia and the Republics occupy an amount of
land equal to about 3 times the size of the
United States.
Russia and the Republics span two continents
(Asia and Europe)
Russia and the Republics span 11 time zones
Russia and the Republics cover over 8.5 million
square miles
Russia and the Republics cover nearly one-sixth
of the Earth’s surface
Why do you think the population clustered on the West side of the
region?? Let’s answer this by the end of the presentation
Northern Landforms
Northern European Plain
Lowland area from western
border of Russia to the Ural
Mountains
Home to chernozem, or
black earth, which is very
fertile. Because of this,
many of the region’s
agricultural areas are
located here.
Home to nearly 75% of the
region’s population
3 of region’s largest cities are
located there
Northern Landforms
West Siberian Plain
Western boundary at Ural Mountains
Eastern boundary at Yenisey River
Because the plain tilts northward, its
rivers flow toward the Arctic Ocean
The left bank of the river includes a
huge Vasyugan Bog covering the area
of 53 thousand sq. km.
Altogether there are 573 rivers with a
length more than 20 km. and 35
lakes with an area larger than 5 sq.
km. in the Region.
1/5 of the Region’s territory is a spot
of river valleys.
Northern Landforms
Central Siberian Plateau
Made up of high plateaus with
average heights of 1,000 to 2,000
feet
Russian Far East
Made up of a system of volcanic
ranges, with many active volcanoes
Southern Landforms
Caucasus and other mountains
Caucasus - stretch across land
between the Black and Caspian
Seas
Tian Shan - along the southern
border of Russia and the Republics
Turan Plain
Lies between the Caspian Sea and
Central Asia
Kara Kum Desert
These two deserts (the
Kara Kum in Turkmenistan
and the Kyzyl Kum in
Uzbekistan) cover about
230,000 square miles.
Kyzyl Kum Desert
Rivers and Lakes
Rivers
Volga, Ob, Yenisey, Lena Rivers are
largest in the region
Lakes
Caspian Sea - actually a saltwater lake. It
stretches for nearly 750 miles from North
to South
Aral Sea - has lost about 80% of its water
in the past 40 years
Lake Baikal - the deepest lake in the
world. At its deepest point, it is more than
a mile from the surface to the bottom. It
holds 20% of the world’s fresh water
Aral Sea
Lake Baikal
Natural Resources
Huge reserves of coal, iron ore, oil, and
natural gas, as well as timber
Mismanagement of resources , harsh
climates, rugged terrain, and vast
distances make it difficult for Russia and
the Republics to remove resources from
the ground and transport them to
market.
Human-Environment
Interaction
The Trans-Siberian Railroad
covers more than 5,700 miles
and 7 time zones.
Its completion aided in the
migration of many European
Russians to Siberia, helping
develop natural resources.
Environmental issues –
mining operations have caused
significant damage
 the many hydroelectric plants
discharge thermal pollution, damaging
surrounding plant and animal habitats
Agricultural practices devestated rivers
and lakes with chemical runoff from
pesticides.
Chernobyl- nuclear plant explosion in
1986
1971, geologists discovered a massive underground deposit of natural gas on
this site. Whilst excavating the hole to tap the gas, the drilling rig collapsed
leaving a massive hole. To prevent poisonous gasses from escaping, the hole
was allowed to burn. It continues to burn to this day and has done so without
ceasing.
The Trans-Siberian Railroad covers more than 5,700
miles and 7 time zones.
Its completion aided in the migration of many
European Russians to Siberia, helping develop natural
resources.
Major climate regions:
1. Humid continental- variety in
temperature and precipitation, Northern
hemisphere, 4 seasons
2. Subarctic- huge temperature
variations, usually freezing or below 5-8
months a year. Short cool summers,
harsh winters.
3. Semiarid- low precipitation, interior
of continents
4. Desert-less than 10 inches rain per
year extreme temperature changes
ContinentalityA region’s distance from the
moderating influence of the sea.
(rain, moisture, temperature, etc)
Russia’s extreme climate effected by
this.
Vegetation
1. Tundra- flat, treeless land with
permafrost
2. Deciduous Forest- lands with
leafy trees
3. Steppe- temperate grasslands or
prairie
4. Desert- plants that conserve
water, (cactus or shrubs)