Russia Moscows Red Square Taiga in Siberia 46

Russia Moscow’s Red Square Taiga in Siberia

46 provinces, 21 republics, 4 autonomous okrugs, 9 krays, 2 federal cities, and 1 autonomous oblast

• • A) The Land Largest country in the world. It is in Europe and Asia. Extreme northern location. Arctic Ocean is to the north of Russia. • Shipping is very difficult most of the year because of ice. • Has ports on Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Pacific Ocean.

Icy Arctic Ocean

1) Ural Mountains • Separates the continents Europe and Asia. • Runs 1, 500 miles North to South. • Old mountains that have been worn by erosion. Only about 2000 feet above sea level.

Ural Mountains

2) Plains • West of the Ural mts. , is the North European Plain. • 75% of Russia lives here. • Largest cities are in the N. E. P. (Moscow, St. Petersburg) • St. Petersburg is the leading industrial and cultural center. • Most industries and farms are here. • East of the Ural mts. , is Siberia.

3) Highlands • There are 2 highland regions. • 1) Central Siberian Plateau • 2) East Siberian Uplands- A wilderness of forests, mountains, and plateaus. • The endangered Siberian tiger lives here. • Far north area has large areas of tundra stretch along the shore.

Endangered Animal

Highlands Con’t • South of tundra there is large area of evergreen forests. What is it called? • Nickname is green ocean.

4) Caucasus Mountains • Located in Southwest Russia. • Thickly covered with pine trees. • Mt. Elbrus is the tallest mountain in Europe.

5) Inland Water Areas • Caspian Sea (A saltwater lake) is the size of California; largest inland body of water in the world. • Lake Baikal is the deepest freshwater lake in the world. • Some rivers are Lena, Ob, Yenisey all flow into the Arctic Ocean.

Caspian Sea

B) Natural Hazards • Permafrost over much of Siberia/hurts development. • Volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands • Volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula. • Significant volcanic activity on the Kamchatka Peninsula and Kuril Islands; the peninsula alone is home to some 29 historically active volcanoes.

B) Climate • Northern location near Arctic Ocean has short summers, and long cold winters. • Siberia- Snow is on the ground 8 -9 months. The average temp. in January is -45 degrees. • North European Plain has a humid continental climate. • Southern Russia has a partly dry steppe climate.

People of Russia • • Population: 143 million people (#9) Main ethnic group: Russian 78% Main language: Russian 86% Main religion: Russian Orthodox Christianity • 74% of people live in an urban setting. • Life expectancy: 70. 8 yrs old (#153) *Males live 12 years less than females! • Literacy rate 99. 7%

Economy of Russia • Under Soviet Union, was a communist gov’t. • Soviet Union’s Communist leaders created the world’s largest command economy. • Gov’t owns all land, resources, industries, and farms. • In 1991 Soviet Union collapsed and so did this type of economy. • Present day- Russia has a free enterprise economy just like the United States.

Economy continued • GDP: 3. 74 trillion (#6) • Exports: 259 billion (#19) Petroleum products, natural gas, metals, wood products. (Netherlands 12%, China 8%) • Imports: 165 billion (#25) Machinery, Vehicles, pharm. products (China 19%, Germany 11%) • Import and Export numbers way down 2015 to 2016. • Farming makes up only 4% of Russia’s economy. Only 7% of Russia’s land is able to be farmed on. • Money used is called Rubles

Gov’t of Russia • Gov’t- Federation • Gained independence on August 24, 1991 from the Soviet Union. • President- Vladimir Putin (since May 7, 2012) • President elected for a six year term with the ability to be re-elected. • President Putin doesn’t get along real well with the U. S. , one reason is that he is an ally/friend of Syrian’s president Bashar al-Assad. • There are 11 time zone in Russia! (Went from 11 to 9 back to 11 in the last five years)

Chapter 15 Section 1 Russia Colored By: Autumn and Kelsey

A) The Economy • 1922 -1991 Russia was in the Soviet Union. • Soviet Union practiced Communism. • This is where the government controls everything in the economy.

1) Government Controls • Soviet Union’s Communist leaders created the world’s largest command economy. • Gov’t owns all land, resources, industries, and farms. • Leaders use 5 year plans to run Soviet’s economy. • Emphasized more heavy industry than light industry.

2) Collapse of Communism • In 1985 Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev wanted to rebuild the economy. • IN 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed. • Russia and other countries that were in the Soviet Union became independent countries.

Mikhail Gorbachev

3) A New Beginning • Russia now has a free enterprise system (like the U. S. ) • Businesses are privately owned, operating for profit with little gov’t control. • Russia’s economy is still struggling. • Goods are scarce, and prices have gone up.

B) Economic Regions • Most of Russia’s industries are located in Europe. • Short growing season, but its farmland is extremely productive. • Under free enterprise system, factories have focused more on light industry than heavy industry. • There are 4 economic regions.

1) Moscow • 800 years old. • It is the capital city of Russia. • The political, economical, and cultural center of Russia. • Manufacturing occurs here. • Farmers raise dairy cattle, barley, oats, potatoes, corn, and sugar beets.

2)Port Cities • 2 important port cities (St. Petersburg, and Kaliningrad) • Russia owns a small piece of land on the Baltic Sea that is separate from the rest of the country. • Kaliningrad is the only port that is free from ice all year. • St. Petersburg is a vital port city and cultural center. • Factories produce light machinery, textiles, and medical equipment.

Homework • Test on Tuesday. - 130 Points. • Review game on Monday. • Make sure you start studying.

3) Siberia • Large supply of minerals in Russia (iron ore, uranium, gold, diamonds, and coal. ) • Lots of oil and natural gas is beneath the frozen ground in Northern Siberia. • Getting these resources is very difficult because of _________.

4) Volga & Urals • Volga river carries 50% of Russia’s river traffic. • Provides water for hydroelectric power and irrigation. (Best farmland is here) • Both contain large deposits of oil and natural gas. • Mts. Have copper, gold, nickel.

Chapter 15 Section 2 Russia’s people and Culture

A) Political Challenges • Before 1991 Soviet Union was a communist government. • Today Russia is a democracy (Federal Republic) government. • Russia’s president has more power of his country than the U. S. president has of his country.

1) Presidents of Russia • Russia’s presidents (Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin) used their power to develop & strengthen Russia’s economy and democracy. • Current president of Russia is Dmitry Medvedev.

B) Ethnic Challenges • Many different ethnic groups (About 100) • Russians, Ukrainians, and Belorussians are part of a larger group called Slavs. • 80% of the people are Slavs who speak Russian. • What is a majority group?

C) Daily Life • 75% of people live in the North European Plain. (West of the Ural Mts. ) • Many people live in apartments in the cities of Russia. • Religion: 70% of people follow Russian Orthodox

D) Sports/Food • Winter and indoor sports are extremely popular. (Hockey, Tennis, Basketball, Figure Skating, Camping, Mountain Climbing) • Borscht: Soup made from beets • Shchi: Soup made from cabbage • Meat, poultry, or fish with potatoes is very common for dinner.