1.
Exploring Russia and the
Republics
The Five Themes of Geography
Home
Location
Place
Movement
HEI
Region
2.
Location
Location
• Major
Cities
• Major
Landforms
• Major
Bodies of
Water
• Major
Landmarks
This is a map of the Arctic Ocean,
or North Pole. Russia stretches from
42° N latitude to 81° N latitude and
from 30° E longitude to 170° W
longitude.
Russia is the world’s largest
country – nearly twice the size of
Canada. Russia stretches across
Europe and Asia form the Baltic
Sea to the Pacific Ocean and from
the Arctic Ocean to the Black and
Caspian Seas. Asian Russia is often
called “Siberia.”
(It covers 11 time zones!!!!!)
3.
Location
Major Cities
Location
• Major
Cities
• Major
Landforms
• Major
Bodies of
Water
• Major
Landmarks
The major cities of Russia and the Republics stretch from Chernobyl,
Ukraine, the site of the 1986 nuclear reactor disaster, to the southwestern
port city of Vladivostok.
4.
Location
Major Bodies of Water
Location
• Major
Cities
• Major
Landforms
• Major
Bodies of
Water
• Major
Landmarks
In European Russia, the Volga River , Europe’s
longest river, serves as a major trading route. Since
the northern seas remain frozen most of the year,
the Baltic and Black Seas remain extremely
important for Russian shipping.. Lake Baikal is the
world’s deepest lake.
5.
Location
Major Landforms
Location
• Major
Cities
• Major
Landforms
• Major
Bodies of
Water
• Major
Landmarks
West of the Ural Mountains, Russia is
dominated by the fertile Northern European
Plain. East of the Ural Mountains, lies the
West Siberian Plain, then the Central Siberian
Plateau. The Ural Mountains is a natural
boundary between Europe and Asia.
6.
Location
Major Landmarks
The site of the Kremlin (below), in
Moscow, has been inhabited by the czars
for centuries. The current building was
constructed in 1516. It now serves as the
center for the Russian national
government. It sits along the Moscow
River and Red Square near St. Basil’s
Cathedral.
Location
• Major
Cities
• Major
Landforms
• Major
Bodies of
Water
• Major
Landmarks
St. Basil Cathedral
(above), in Moscow, was
built in 1555-1561 by
Ivan the Terrible.
7.
Human
Characteristics
• Language &
Culture
• Economy
• Government
• Historical
Background
Place
Physical
Characteristics
• Soil
• Climate
• Resources
• Vegetation
& Wildlife
8.
Place
Language & Culture
Human
Characteristics
• Language &
Culture
A Russian Folk Art, (left)
nesting dolls have been
popular toys for children
since the 19th century.
• Economy
• Government
• Historical
Background
“War and Peace” by
Leo Tolstoy (1865)
is not only a classic
piece of Russian
literature, but is
also considered one
of the best novels
in the world.
Russia is also known for its love
of sports. Maria Sharapova
(above) is currently ranked 5th in
the world.
Mikhail
Baryshnikov (left)
is often considered
the world’s
greatest living
dancer. In Russia,
ballet is an
important aspect
of culture.
The Russian alphabet
has 33 letters.
9.
Place
Climate
Russia has eight
types of climate.
Since it is so far
north most of the
country has a
subarctic climate.
Russia has four
seasons with
extremely long and
cold winters.
Place
10.
Economy
Russia’s per capita GDP was $12,200
in 2006.
Human
Characteristics
The Russian
economy is made
up of:
• Language &
Culture
• Economy
• Government
• Historical
Background
The Russian currency, or money,
is called the ruble.
5% farming
40% industry
55% services
Russia produces 9.4 million barrels
of oil per day, second in the world
only to Saudi Arabia.
Russia’s unemployment
rate is rather high at 6.6%.
Russia produces
more natural gas
than any other
country in the
world.
Place
11.
Government
Human
Characteristics
• Language &
Culture
• Economy
• Government
• Historical
Background
Vladimir Putin is the
President of the
Russian Federation.
Although Russia today is a representative
democracy, President Putin has recently
given more power to the central government.
Democracy in Russia remains weak.
Place
12.
Historical Background
Human
Characteristics
• Language &
Culture
• Economy
• Government
• Historical
Background
Czar Nicholas II was
czar from 1894-1917
until the Communists
overthrew him.
Joseph Stalin was the
head of the Soviet Union
from 1922-1953. He was
best known for putting
down anyone who
criticized him and
sending many people to
prisons in Siberia.
Czar Nicholas II and his family who
were all executed at Yekaterinburg in
1917.
Mikhail Gorbachev was
head of the Soviet Union
from 1985-1991. He is
known for reforming the
Communist Party which
ultimately led to the fall
of the Soviet Union.
Vladimir Lenin, leader of
the Communist Revolution
in Russia and first head of
the Soviet Union.
13.
Place
Soil
In southwestern Russia, the soil is
some of the most fertile in the world.
Here they raise grain, sugar beets,
fruits, vegetables, beef, and milk.
Physical
Characteristics
• Soil
• Climate
• Resources
• Vegetation
& Wildlife
14.
Place
Resources
Physical
Characteristics
• Soil
• Climate
• Resources
• Vegetation
& Wildlife
Russia’s resources are plentiful, but they are spread out and
difficult to get to and transport to populated areas.
15.
Place
Vegetation & Wildlife
Physical
Characteristics
• Soil
• Climate
• Resources
Scientists believe that climate
change is making Russian bears
more aggressive.
The Siberian tiger
is recovering after
nearly becoming
extinct.
Forests stretch across eastern Russia.
Cranes live in wildlife
reserves in eastern Russia.
• Vegetation
& Wildlife
16.
People
Goods
Ideas
Movement
Movement
17.
People
People
Goods
Ideas
The Trans-Siberian Railroad
travels from Moscow to
Vladivostok in the far east.
The Trans-Siberian Railroad links
Russia’s far east with the more
developed west. Many people travel
across Russia on this railroad.
18.
Movement
Goods
People
Goods
Ideas
Russia exports a lot of lumber from
its vast forests. They also export oil,
natural gas, metals, chemicals, and
manufactured military products to
countries all over the world.
19.
Movement
Ideas
People
Goods
The biggest idea that has diffused from Russia is
communism. During the Soviet Era, the Soviet
Union influenced many countries to accept a
communist government, including China, North
Korea, Cuba, and others.
Ideas
Soviet propaganda posters
20.
Depending on the
Environment
Environmental
Change
Adaptations to
Environment
HEI
21.
HEI
Depending on the Environment
Depending on the
Environment
Russians depend on their
environment to grow a
variety of crops, such as
grain, sugar beets, fruits,
vegetables, beef, and milk.
Environmental
Change
Adaptations to
Environment
Russians depend on their
environment for resources
like oil, natural gas, lumber,
and coal.
22.
HEI
Environmental Change
Depending on the
Environment
Environmental
Change
Adaptations to
Environment
The nuclear reactor disaster at Chernobyl,
Ukraine in 1986 destroyed the surrounding
environment. The water, trees, and wildlife in the
area all suffered, as did over 237 people, 31 of
which died within 3 months of the disaster.
People are still sick from the disaster even today.
There have been many nuclear accidents in
Russia, but Chernobyl was the worst.
Hydro-electric power is made by
dams which flood the natural
environment to create a reservoir of
water. The electricity made by the
dams provides many people with
power for their homes.
HEI
23.
Adaptations to Environment
Depending on the
Environment
Environmental
Change
Russians need to adapt
to the harsh weather
conditions by wearing
warm clothing and
driving through snow
and ice.
Adaptations to
Environment
Region
Region
24.
Human Regions
Physical Regions
• Population
• Vegetation
• Ethnic Groups
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25.
Population
Human Regions
• Population
• Ethnic Groups
Most people live in
the southwestern
European part of
Russia because the
climate is mild, the
soil is fertile, there
are resources, and
trade with Europe
is easier.
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26.
Ethnic Groups
Human Regions
• Population
• Ethnic Groups
There are many
different and unique
ethnic groups in Russia.
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27.
Vegetation
Physical Regions
• Vegetation
There are many
different types of
vegetation in Russia,
but coniferous
forests cover most
of the land.
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