Brittany Yanof
EDTC 3771
MWF 11-11:50am
World Geography (9th-10th grade)
Due Oct. 5, 2012
Table of Contents

 Map of Russia
 Identify Key Elements on the map
 There will be a quiz at the end of the week




Questions to consider
Key Facts about Russia
The Face of Russia
East vs. West
 Urban vs. Rural
 Unpredictable Weather Worsens
 The Melting Away of the Artic
 Class Presentation
 What’s making news in Russia today?
 Credits
Map of Russia
Artic Ocean

Moscow
Lake Baikal
Questions to Consider

As we explore Russia, there are many questions to keep in the back
of your mind. We will discuss the answers collectively in class.
1. Most of the northern coast of Russia lies above the Artic Circle.
If 2/3 of the country is surrounded by water (frozen nearly all
year)—how might climate changes effect the landscape? The
economy?
2. Explain the differences between Eastern Russia and Western
Russia.
3. Given the expanse of the globe that Russia covers, should they
have a more centralized capital? Why or Why not?
Russia is unique in many perspectives. “Curving around the north pole in a huge
arc, Russia (the Russian Federation) spans almost half the globe from east to west
and about 4,000 kilometers from north to south. Divided into eleven time zones,
Russia is by far the world's largest country”¹.
Russia includes all the major vegetation zones in the world, except for a tropical rain forest.
•
10% is tundra: Known for long, severe winters with several days of darkness. This area is home to
less than 1% of Russia’s population.
•
The taiga: The world’s largest forest region. The northeastern portion has long, severe winters with
the inhabited world’s coldest temperatures. About 33% of Russia’s population live in the
southeastern part of these forests.
•
The steppe: Found in Eastern Russia, extending southward between the Black and Caspian seas.
Offers the most favorable conditions for human settlement and agriculture; however, the growing
season is still short and unpredictable.
•
Mountain Ranges: There are nine mountain ranges throughout Russia. “In general, the eastern half
of the country is much more mountainous than the western half, the interior of which is dominated
by low plains.”²
•
Plains and Plateaus: The West Siberian Plain consists of some of the world’s largest swamps and
floodplains.
1. Butler, Rhett A. Russia—Geography. (n.d.). The Library of Congress. Retrieved from
http://www.mongabay.com/reference/country_studies/russia/GEOGRAPHY.html
2. Ibid.
The Face of Russia?
Russia
East
Mostly
Urban
More mountainous than the
west. Land more suitable for
agriculture. Home to 75% of
Russia’s population. Contains
the capital city of Moscow.
Holds a majority of Russia’s
GDP.
Divided by
Ural
Mountains
West
Mostly Rural or
Uninhabited
Low lying plains and fewer
mountains than in the east leaves
very little protection from the Artic
winds. With only 25% of Russia’s
population, village economies are
collapsing as an increasing number
of the young, working class move to
the cities. Nomadic families face
issues with sustaining their lifestyle
in future generations as well.
Unpredictable Weather
Worsens
The video “We are facing global
climate anomaly—Meteorologist”
examines many of the problems
now being faced in Russia (and
around the world) due to
increasingly common extreme
weather conditions.
The melting away of the Artic
The ice in the Artic hasn’t always melted enough to allow safe passage along
these routes. The effects of global warming in recent years has allowed these
passages to more consistently open in the summer months. Some consider the
opening of these passages to increase the economies of countries that border the
Artic Sea. Do you agree? Who should control trade regulations on these
passages? What other negative/positive outcomes might you expect to see as a
result of these passages opening up?
Consider the photo to the left from
2007, as well as, the following
video depiction of the effects an
Artic storm had on the sea ice in
August 2012 provided by NASA.
Group Presentation

The class will be divided into groups. Each group is to find an article
about Russia to present to the class. The article can consider various
aspects of the economy, government, culture, etc. found in Russia. Each
presentation should include a map of the area in which their article
pertains. (The blank map for the quiz can be used as long as the area is
clearly labeled that your group is discussing.)
For example, if I were to find an article involving the “new wealth” in
Moscow, I should present the article to the class, along with a general
summation of how it pertains to our discussion and show where on the
map Moscow is located. Questions to consider might include whether or
not Moscow is a fair representation of Russia as a whole? Why or why
not?
Credits
Butler, Rhett A. (2012). Mongabay.com. “Russia—Geography”. Retrieved from
http://www.mongabay.com/reference/country_studies/russia/GEOGRAPHY.html
Feifer, Gregory. (April 6th, 2007). “Rural Russia Left Barren by Economic Exodus”. Retrieved from
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?StoryId=9243522.
Lavrillier, Alexandra. (2006 Rolex Award Laureate). Establish a Travelling School: “How Do Young Siberian
Nomads Follow Russia’s School Curriculm”. Retrieved from http://www.rolexawards.com/profiles/
laureates/alexandra_lavrillier.
N. A. (Sept. 4, 2012). “Discovering the Surprisingly Modern Side of Moscow”. JustLuxe: Affluent Lifestyle Guide.
Retrieved from http://www.justluxe.com/travel/luxury-vacations/feature-1819754.php.
Photo Credits:
Northwest Passage. (Aug. 22, 2007). Modified from NASA’s Earth Observatory and NSIDC. http://www.
wunderground.com/climate/NorthernPassages.asp.
Russia: boundaries, hydrography. D-Maps.com: free maps. Retrieved from http://d-maps.com/carte.php?lib=
russia_map&num_car=2580&lang=en.
Collage Photo Credits:
Reindeer in Siberia. (2003). Modified from “Yar Sale Reindeer, Siberia, Russia, 1996”. National Geographic
Society. Retrieved from http://www.uploadimages4free.com/browse_images/yar_sale_reindeer_siberia
_russia_1996-3830.html.
Credits (continued)
Various city landscapes modified from “Discovering the Suprisingly Modern Side of Moscow”. JustLuxe:
Affluent Lifestyle Guide. Retrieved from http://www.justluxe.com/travel/luxury-vacations/feature1819754.php.
Village. (April 6, 2007). Modified from Feifer, Gregory. “Rural Russia Left Barren by Economic Exodus”.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?StoryId=9243522.
Video Credits:
Lavrillier, Alexandra. (2006 Rolex Award Laureate). Establish a Travelling School: “How Do Young Siberian
Nomads Follow Russia’s School Curriculm”. Retrieved from http://www.rolexawards.com/profiles/
laureates/alexandra_lavrillier.
NASA. (Sept. 19th, 2012). “Artic Cyclone Breaks Up Sea Ice”. Retrieved from http://www.nasa.gov/
multimedia.videogallery/index.html?media_id=152489941.
RT—Question More. (Aug. 24th, 2010). “We are Facing Global Climate Anomaly—Meteorologist”. Retrieved
from http://rt.com/new/global-climat-anomaly-meteorologist.