Russia Unit 5 Vast Varied Land n The

Russia Unit 5

Vast & Varied Land n The vast and varied landscape of Russia stretches over the continents of Europe and Asia • covers 11 time zones and borders 14 different countries n The Russian climate is a story of extremes • subzero temperatures of eastern Siberia to the humid continental climate of the North European Plain

Mountains & Plateaus n Mountain ranges punctuate an otherwise flat landscape. • The Caucasus Mountains contain Mt. Elbrus—Russia's highest point • Ural Mountains mark the traditional border between European Russia and Asian Russia • Mountains also form a rugged border with China

Plains Areas n Russia is the world's largest country • vast plains span nearly half of its surface. West Siberian Plain covers almost 1 million square miles n About 75 percent of Russia's population live on its North European Plain. n • This region is home to Russia's major cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg

Coasts, Seas, & Lakes n The country contains some of the world's largest lakes • Lake Baikal is the deepest freshwater lake in the world (20% of the world’s freshwater) n n n Coastline is 23, 400 mi Most of Russia’s ports are frozen Seas • The Black Sea- warm water outlet • The Caspian Sea- saltwater lake with no outlet

Rivers Most of Russia’s longest rivers are in Siberians enjoy the freshwater surplus, but European Russians often face water shortages n Volga River • 4 th longest river in Russia & the longest river in Europe. • Drains much of Russia’s N. European Plain • The Volga and its canals link Moscow to the caspian, Black, & Baltic Seas n Siberian Rivers • Rivers flow north • Often blocked by ice, meltwaters often flood the land create swamps

Natural Resources Russia has ample supplies of natural resources n Minerals & Energy • Mineral and energy resources are large but often difficult to tap n n Oil, natural gas, & coal Soil & Forest Land • Only 10 percent of Russia's land can support agriculture • the Black Earth Belt with its rich soil called chernozem supports high yields of wheat, barley, rye, and other crops that feed much of Russia • Forests supply much of the world's timber, and fishing remains an important industry n Russia Fishing Industry • Fish is a staple food in Russia & and important export

Climate & Vegetation n n Most of Russia has a harsh climate with long, cold winters and short, relatively cool summers Lying well within the Eurasian landmass, most of the country is far away from any moderating ocean influences

High Latitude Climate n Tundra • average temperatures remain below zero • Vegetation is limited to mosses, lichen, algae, and dwarf shrubs, due to the region's permafrost and very short growing season n Sub-arctic • dominant climate • spans across European Russian and parts of Siberia • supports the taiga, a densely wooded region that contains the world's largest coniferous forest

Mid-Latitude Climates n Humid Continental • milder winters and longer summers dominates the mid-latitudes • most people live and the majority of Russia's agriculture is located. n Steppe • small area between the Black and Caspian Seas is Russia's steppe climate • temperate grassland area has dry summers and long, cold, dry winters with swirling, sparse snow