 Russia Notes
Name_____________________________Per_____
 Russia
 Location
o ______________– The biggest one
o European Republics – Ukraine, Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania), Moldova and Belorussia
o Caucasus Republics – Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan
o Central Asian Republics – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan
 ______________ Ranges
o Ural Mts.
 Separate Northern European Plain and Western
Siberian Plain
o ______________ Mts.
 Separate Russia from Transcaucasia
o Tian Shan
 Very tall mountains that prevent moisture and cause
arid climate
 Rivers and Lakes
o Rivers
 ______________ (5th); Yenisey (7th); Lena; Volga
 Seas & Lakes
o ______________ Sea
 Largest Lake in the World
o Aral Sea (Lake Aral)
 Lost 90% of water since 1960 (irrigation)
o ______________
 Deepest Lake in World 5,715 feet (Over 1 Mile)
 20% of world’s freshwater!
 Human Environment Interaction
 Physical Geography
o Russia is the______________country in the world.
o Russia has a variety of landscapes, ranging from tundra to
steppes, from deserts to mountains, from glaciers to
______________.
o ______________– part of Russia East of Ural Mountains
 Tundra – Soil is frozen
 Taiga – Season forest located south of the Tundra
o The ______________ are the oldest mountains in the
world
o Lake Baikal is the world's deepest lake and largest reservoir
of fresh water on earth.
 Climate
o Extremely c______________ most of the year!
o ______________: No wind or ocean currents to moderate
temperature or bring precipitation!
o Plains
 Northern European Plain
 Contains ______________ – Fertile Soil
 75% of population of Russia live in this area
o Western Siberian Plain
 Between Ural Mountains and Yenisey River
 Resources
o Resources
o ______________
o Timber
o Coal
o Iron Ore
o Hydroelectric Power
 Problems
o Resources are located in______________places (Siberia)
o Use without polluting
 Chernobyl: Nuclear Disaster
o ______________was a nuclear power plant in the USSR, in
what is now Ukraine.
o On April 26th, 1986 one of the reactors got out of control,
and exploded (not a nuclear explosion).
o Because of the design of the reactor, radiation was
released into the atmosphere, spreading across Europe and
eventually the world.
o ______________people were forced to leave their homes
forever. Cancer and leukemia rates in the region increased
drastically.
o Cleanup cost billions, and involved hundreds of thousands of
workers, many of whom now suffer health problems. The
area is still empty and somewhat hazardous even today.
 Movement
 Population and Demographics of Russia and the Republics
o Russia and the European republics generally have aging,
______________ populations.
o Central Asian republics have fewer people but higher
birthrates, increasing their small populations.
o Trans-Siberian ______________
 5,700 miles long
 Crosses ______________ Times Zones
 Connects more populated areas with areas that contain
the most resources (coal, iron ore)
 Helped settle uninhabited areas
 Place
o Ancient Russia – Slavic tribes conquered by Vikings called
the “Rus”.
o ______________l Russia – (800’s – 1300’s) – Kievan Rus,
then later Muscovy ruled area.
o The Mongol Yoke (1270’s – 1500’s) – Golden Horde invaded
Russia, ruled for two centuries off and on.
o Russian Empire (1500’s – 1918) – Russia ruled by the Czars,
until Russian Revolution and Romanov family killed in 1918
o Soviet Union (1918-1991) – Communist government ruled the
entire region as one country, until ended by Mikhail
______________ in 1991.
o Commonwealth of Independent States (1992-Present) –
Loose alliance of Russia and the various Republics.
 Economy of Russia and the Republics
o Until 1991, Soviet Union was a ______________ country.
o Russia and republics have ample natural resources, but
struggling economies.
o Economies are usually dominated by “______________”,
wealthy businessmen often tied to organized crime.
o Government corruption and old infrastructure hinder
development. Russia especially has advanced sciences, but
lags in technological application.
 Regions
 Russia
o ______________ nation in the region
o 143,000,000
o Per Capita GDP $18,000
o Predominantly Russian ______________ Christian, with
large Muslim populations in the south.
o Demographic Changes: Low birthrates among Russians and
high birthrates among ______________ populations are
changing several nations.
o Vladimir ______________ rules Russia through personal
influence and official powers.
o Lingering effects of ______________: Decayed
infrastructure, severe pollution, and government corruption
remain big problems.
o Russia’s Place in the World: The Soviet Union was a
______________, 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.
 ______________ Republics
o Region includes: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Moldova,
and Ukraine
o Most speak ______________ or related Slavic languages.
o Most practice Orthodox Christianity.
o Ukraine is largest and most successful republic outside
Russia.
o Lingering effects of Communism: Decayed
i______________, severe pollution, and government
corruption remain big problems.
o Governments of region have tried to modernize and remove
Communist influences.
 ______________ Region
o Region includes: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and parts of
Russia
o Separatism and ______________ Conflict: Ethnic groups
in Chechnya and other places are fighting to have their own
countries.
o Lingering effects of ______________: Decayed
infrastructure, severe pollution, and government corruption
remain big problems.
 ______________Republics
o Region includes: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan
o Most can speak ______________, but local languages are
related to Persian or Turkish.
o 90%+ of Central Asians practice Sunni Islam, but many
other religions are present in small numbers.
o Central Asian republics dominated by ______________or
dictators… same president since 1990.
o Lingering effects of Communism: Decayed infrastructure,
severe pollution, and government corruption remain big
problems.