Physical Geography The Big Idea Russia is big

Physical Geography The Big Idea Russia is big and cold with vast plains and forests; whereas the Caucasus countries are small, mountainous, and warmer. Main Ideas • The physical features of Russia and the Caucasus include plains, mountains, and rivers. • Climate and plant life change from north to south in Russia and vary in the Caucasus. • Russia and the Caucasus have a wealth of resources, but many are hard to access. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Main Idea 1: The physical features of Russia and the Caucasus include plains, mountains, and rivers. • Continents of Europe and Asia meet at the Ural Mountains. – Europe to the west – Asia to the east – Together, they form the landmass of Eurasia. • Russia is the world’s largest country. – Twice the size of the United States • South of Russia is a region known as the Caucasus. – It lies in the Caucasus, the area between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. – Region named for the Caucasus Mountains. – Includes three smaller countries—Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan Holt Mc. Dougal,

Landforms Russia’s capital, Moscow, is located in the Northern European Plain, which stretches across western, or European, Russia. To the east are the low-lying Ural Mountains, which are worn down and rounded from erosion. Siberia, the vast area between the Urals and the Pacific Ocean, includes the marshy West Siberian Plain, the Central Siberian Plateau, and mountain ranges. Russian Far East, in Eastern Siberia, is part of the Ring of Fire. Caucasus countries consist mainly of rugged uplands and mountains, including Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe. South of the Caucasus Mountains is a plateau. Lowlands lie along the Black and Caspian Seas. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Bodies of Water Rivers Lakes • Volga River, in western Russia • Russia has some 200, 000 lakes. – Longest river in Europe • Lake Baikal, in south-central Siberia, is world’s deepest lake. – Core of Russia’s river network • Ob, Yenisey, and Lena rivers in Asian part of Russia – Flow northward to Arctic Ocean – Deep enough to hold all the water in all five of the Great Lakes – Called the Jewel of Siberia Seas • Black and Caspian seas border Russia and the Caucasus. – Black Sea connects to the Mediterranean Sea and is important for trade. – Caspian Sea holds saltwater and is the world’s largest inland sea. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Main Idea 2: Climate and plant life change from north to south in Russia and vary in the Caucasus. • Russia has short summers and long, snowy winters due in part to its location along Arctic Circle. • Russia’s northern coast is tundra. – Much of the ground is permafrost, or permanently frozen soil. – Only small plants such as mosses grow there. • Taiga, a vast forest of evergreen trees, covers about half of Russia. • South of the taiga is a flat grassland called the steppe. – Rich, black soil and a warmer climate make this an important farming area. • Caucasus countries are warmer than Russia. – Warm and wet along Black Sea – Hot and Dry in much of Azerbaijan Holt Mc. Dougal,

Main Idea 3: Russia and the Caucasus have a wealth of resources, but many are hard to access. Natural Resources Energy Resources Resource Management • Fertile soil for farming in Northern European plain and steppe • Wood from taiga for building and paper products • Metals and precious gems • Main energy resources include coal, hydroelectricity, natural gas, and oil. • Russia and Azerbaijan have large oil and gas fields. • Poorly managed for a long time • Many remaining resources are only in remote Siberia. Holt Mc. Dougal,

History and Culture of Russia The Big Idea Strict rule, unrest, and ethnic diversity have shaped Russia’s history and culture. Main Ideas • The Russian Empire grew under powerful leaders, but unrest and war led to its end. • The Soviet Union emerged as a Communist superpower with rigid government control. • Russia’s history and diversity have influenced its culture. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Main Idea 1: The Russian Empire grew under powerful leaders, but unrest and war led to its end. • The Slavs settled in Eastern Europe, including what is now Ukraine and western Russia. – Developed towns and began trading with other areas • AD 800 s—Viking, or Rus, traders from Scandinavia invaded the Slavs. – Shaped the first Russian state, Kievan Rus, centered around the city of Kiev • Missionaries introduced the Orthodox Christian faith and Cyrillic, a form of the Greek alphabet. • In the 1200 s Mongol invaders called Tatars came from Central Asia and conquered Kiev. – Allowed Russian princes to rule over local states – Muscovy became the strongest state Holt Mc. Dougal,

Empire After about 200 years Muscovy’s prince, Ivan III seized control from the Mongols. In the 1540 s Ivan IV crowned himself czar, or emperor, and became known as Ivan the Terrible for his cruel leadership. Over time Muscovy developed into the country of Russia. Strong czars built Russia into a huge empire and world power. Russia remained largely a country of poor farmers, while the czars and nobles had most of the wealth. In the early 1900 s Russians began demanding improvements and unrest grew. Holt Mc. Dougal,

War and Revolution World War I • Russia entered World War I in 1914. – Suffered huge losses and severe food shortages • When the czar seemed to ignore the people’s hardship, they rose against him. • The czar was forced to give up his throne in 1917. Russian Revolution • Later that year the Bolsheviks, a radical Russian Communist group, seized power in the Russian Revolution. • In 1922 the Bolsheviks formed a new country, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), or the Soviet Union. – Soon included 15 republics, the strongest of which was Russia – First leader was Vladimir Lenin Holt Mc. Dougal,

Main Idea 2: The Soviet Union emerged as a Communist superpower with rigid government control. Soviet Union under Stalin Cold War and Collapse • Soviet Union led by Lenin became a Communist country. • During World War II the Soviet Union fought with the Allies. • Joseph Stalin took power after Lenin’s death in 1924. • Stalin set up Communist governments in Eastern Europe. • Command economy, in which the government owns all businesses and farms and makes all decisions, was established. • Opposition between the Soviet Union and the United States led to the Cold War. • Stalin was a brutal and paranoid dictator and punished anyone who spoke out against the government. – Millions sent to gulags, harsh Soviet labor camps. Holt Mc. Dougal, • In the 1980 s Mikhail Gorbachev began introducing some democracy to help save the Soviet economy. • In 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed and broke into 15 independent countries, including Russia.

Main Idea 3: Russia’s history and diversity have influenced its culture. People and Religion Customs • Population: more than 140 million • Russian history has shaped its customs. • About 80 percent are ethnic Russians. • Religious holidays are popular. • Revival of religious worship after fall of Soviet government • New Year’s Eve is the main family holiday. • Main faith is Russian Orthadox Christian. • June 12 is Russian Independence Day, the day marking the end of the Soviet Union. • Other religions include Islam, Buddhism, and other forms of Christianity. Holt Mc. Dougal, Arts and Sciences • Russia’s ballet companies are world famous. • Peter Tchaikovsky is Russia’s most famous composer. • Fabergé eggs, made of precious metals and covered with gems, are priceless works of art. • Major contributions to space research, including the first artificial satellite in space, launched in 1957

Russia Today The Big Idea Russia is a federal republic with a growing market economy but faces tough challenges. Main Ideas • The Russian Federation is working to develop democracy and a market economy. • Russia’s physical geography, cities, and economy define its many culture regions. • Russia faces a number of serious challenges. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Main Idea 1: The Russian Federation is working to develop democracy and a market economy. Government Economy • Russian leaders have struggled to change from communism to democracy. • Russia is moving toward a market economy, based on free trade and competition. • The Russian Federation is a federal republic, a system in which power is divided between national and local governments. • The Russian government has greatly reduced its control of the economy. • Increased democracy has led to more freedom for Russians. • Problems such as government corruption, or dishonesty, have slowed the development of a free society in Russia. Holt Mc. Dougal, • Russia produces and exports oil, natural gas, timber, metals, chemicals, and crops. • Service industries now make up the largest part of economy.

City and Rural Life City Life • About 75 percent of all Russians live in cities. • Most live in small apartments in high-rise buildings. • More restaurants and shopping centers are available with a wider range of consumer goods. • Cities often have large parks and wooded areas in and around them. Rural Life • About 25 percent of all Russians live in rural areas. • Many live in houses. • Many richer Russians own dachas, or Russian country houses. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Main Idea 2: Russia’s physical geography, cities, and economy define its many culture regions. • Russia has six main culture regions – Differ in features such as population, natural resources, and economic activity • Four western culture regions make up Russia’s heartland. – Home to the vast majority of Russia’s people, the country’s capital, and largest cities – Most productive farming area Holt Mc. Dougal,

Western Culture Regions Moscow Region • Moscow is Russia’s capital and largest city. • Center of government is housed at the Kremlin, in the heart of the city. • Most important economic area • Transportation center Volga Region • Volga River is a major shipping route. • Dams along its route form lakes and provide hydroelectric power. • Factories produce oil and gas. • Caspian Sea provides sturgeon and black caviar, a costly delicacy. Holt Mc. Dougal, St. Petersburg Region • St. Petersburg was once the capital city and home to czars. • Theaters and museums enrich the city’s cultural life. • Its location on the Gulf of Finland has made it a major port and trade center. Urals Region • Important mining region • Produce nearly every major mineral • Smelters, factories that process metal ores, process copper and iron. • Also known for gems and semiprecious stones

Siberia and the Russian Far East Siberia Russian Far East • Siberia means “Sleeping Land” in Tatar language. • Long coastline region along the Pacific Ocean • Winters long and severe • Land is heavily forested • Remote region with many valuable, but difficult to access, resources. • In the few cities, factories process forest and mineral resources. • Main industries are lumber, mining, and oil production. • Farming in the Amur River valley • Jobs there pay high wages, but few people chose to live there. • City of Vladivostok is a naval base and the area’s main seaport. • Cities tend to follow the Trans. Siberian Railroad, the world’s longest single rail line that runs from Moscow to Vladivostok. Holt Mc. Dougal, • Islands off the coast provide oil, minerals, and commercial fishing.

Main Idea 3: Russia faces a number of serious challenges. • Russia has made great progress since 1991, but challenges remain. • Shift to a market economy has brought problems. – Prices and unemployment have risen. – Gap between rich and poor has widened. • Population is falling—more Russians are dying than are being born. • Soviet government did little to prevent pollution. – Environment has been severely harmed. – Government must repair damage. • Ethnic conflicts have resulted in fighting and terrorism. – One of the worst conflicts is in Chechnya in the Caucasus Mountains. Holt Mc. Dougal,

The Caucasus The Big Idea In an area long ruled by outside groups, the Caucasus republics are struggling to strengthen their economies and to deal with ethnic unrest. Main Ideas • Many groups have ruled and influenced the Caucasus during its long history. • Today the Caucasus republics are working to improve their economies but struggle with ethnic unrest and conflict. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Main Idea 1: Many groups have ruled and influenced the Caucasus during its long history. • Located where Europe blends into Asia, the Caucasus reflects a range of cultural influences. – Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Turks, and Mongols have all ruled or invaded the area. • Russians took control of much of the region in the early 1800 s. • After World War I Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia gained independence—but not for long. • By the early 1920 s they were part of the vast Soviet Union. • Finally in 1991 the Caucasus republics achieved true independence when the Soviet Union fell. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Main Idea 2: Today the Caucasus republics are working to improve their economies but struggle with ethnic unrest and conflict. • Caucasus region has a long history, but its countries do not. • Young countries – Have had to create new governments and economies since the fall of the Soviet Union – Ethnic unrest and conflicts have slowed progress. • Caucasus republics have similar governments. – An elected president governs each nation. – An appointed prime minister runs each government. – An elected parliament, or legislature, makes the laws. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Caucasus Today Georgia Armenia • Lies in the Caucasus Mountains east of the Black Sea • Capital: Tbilisi • About 70 percent are ethnic Georgians and most belong to Georgian Orthodox Church. • Struggles with unrest and civil war and ethnic conflict • Economy based on services, farming, and mining • Small, landlocked country south of Georgia • Capital: Yerevan • Almost all the people are ethnic Armenian and most people belong to the Armenian Orthodox Church. • Fought bitter territorial war with Azerbaijan in the 1990 s, and the issue remained unsettled as of the early 2000 s • Diamond processing is a growing industry. Holt Mc. Dougal, Azerbaijan • East of Armenia • Capital: Baku • About 90 percent are Azeri and most are Muslim. • Many refugees as a result of its conflict with Armenia • Economy based on oil, found along and under the Caspian Sea • Corruption is high and many people are poor.