Russia

Chapter 8

A Vast Land: Climate & Geography of Russia

Chapter 8Section 1

Notes Outline

I. A Vast Expanse

II. Bodies of Water

III. Climate

IV. One Country, Two Continents

V. North European Plain: European Russia

VI. Siberia: Asian Russia

VII.Kamchatka Peninsula

I. A Vast Expanse

• World’s largest country• Almost twice size of U.S.• “Eurasian” country: Russia lies on

both Europe & Asia • Borders 14 countries• 11 time zones

II. Bodies of Water

• North: Arctic Ocean• East: Pacific Ocean• Caspian Sea & Black Sea form

natural borders between southwestern Russia & Western Europe– Caspian Sea: size of CA/largest inland

saltwater body in the world

Russia

Kazakhstan

Turkmenistan

Iran

Azerbaijan

Lake Baikal in Siberia is world’s largest freshwater lake holding 20% of world’s unfrozen freshwater.

(oldest lake in the world)

The Volga River is the longest river in Europe & a vital transportation route.

III. Climate

• Four climate zones: steppe, humid continental, sub arctic & tundra

• Western Russia: summers are warm/rainy; winters are cold/snowy

• Eastern Russia: summers are short/cool; winters are long/snowy

• Most ports are closed parts of the year due to ice

Climate map

Europe or Asia?

Ural Mountains

North European Plain

Siberia

IV. One country, Two continents

• Russia lies on two continents• Ural Mountains act as a separation

between two continents:– Europe– Asia

EuropeAsia

Ural Mountains

Ural Mountains

North European Plain

V. North European Plain:European Russia

• 75% of Russia’s population lives here• Mild climate• Majority of Russia’s industry &

agriculture• Good farmland (the steppe)• Caucasus Mountains form southern

border with Georgia & Azerbaijan

Caucasus Mountains

Russia

Kazakhstan

Turkmenistan

Iran

Azerbaijan

Caucasus Mountains

Caucasus Mountains

Siberia

Ural Mountains

North European Plain

Siberia

VI. Siberia: Asian Russia

• Located east of Ural Mountains• One of world’s coldest climateNorthern Siberia: Tundra & permafrost

cover 40% of Russia; taiga in the south– Fishing, hunting seals & walruses, herding

reindeer– Few people

Southern Siberia: Plains, plateaus & mountains– Home to Siberian Tiger (endangered), bear,

reindeer, lynx, wolf, elk, etc.

Endangered Siberian Tiger

Kamchatka Peninsula

VII. Kamchatka Peninsula

• Mountainous • Over 120 volcanoes (20 active)• Part of “Ring of Fire”

(zone of active volcanoes that forms the western, northern, and eastern edges of Pacific)

Kronotsky volcano, an 11,975-foot volcanic peak.

A Troubled History

Chapter 8Section 2

8.2 Outline

I. Early RussiaI. Rise of the Czars

II. The Soviet Eraa) Russian Revolutionb) Growth of Soviet Powerc) USSR under Stalind) The Cold Ware) Collapse of the Soviet Union

I. Early Russia

A. Rise of the Czars• Czar :Russian ruler with

total control over government

• Czars ruled Russia from 1500s-1917

• Expanded Russia’s borders (page 246)

• Westernized Russia by encouraging industrialization– Industrialization: economy

relies on manufacturing (rather than farming) Peter the Great (1672-

1725)

St. Petersburg:

• “Venice of the North”

• Served as capital of Russia until 1917 when it was moved to Moscow

II. The Soviet Era

A. The Russian Revolution• 1914 WWI affects all of Europe• food shortages blamed on Czar• Vladimir Lenin leads political

revolution to overthrow Czar Nicholas II *LAST CZAR*

• Lenin sets up a Communist state• Communist state: strong government control of

economy & society.

The 300-year-old Romanov dynasty ended on June 17, 1918 when the entire royal family was murdered. Nicholas II was the last czar of Russia.

II. The Soviet Era (continued)

B. Growth of Soviet Power1. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, called USSR2. Formed in 19223. 15 republics (including Russia)

Yellow area: Russia/Green areas: former Soviet Union

C. USSR Under Stalin

1. Lenin dies in 1924 & Joseph Stalin becomes leader until after WWII

2. Government takes complete control of economy: Command /Communist Economy

3. Those who opposed/disagreed with Stalin sent to prison camps in Siberia

II. The Soviet Era (continued)

D. The Cold War: 1940- late 1980s 1. After WWII, Stalin setup communist governments in

neighboring countries 2. These became satellite nations controlled by USSR-said to be

behind an “iron curtain.” 3. US & USSR engage in competition for world influence

without any actual fighting (ex. Space Race) 4. Lack of competition in economy caused government-owned

factories to be inefficient & produce poor-quality goods 5. Government spent too much money on military causing

scarcity (not enough) of food 6. Many different ethnic groups resent/dislike Russian control of

government

II. The Soviet Era (continued)

E. Collapse of the Soviet Union

1. Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader in 1985

2. Introduces changes such as perestroika & glasnost to help economy:– Perestroika: “restructuring”;

loosened government control of economy

– Glasnost: “openness”; people allowed to speak freely

II. The Soviet Era (continued)

E. Collapse of the Soviet Union 1. Gorbachev’s reforms only cause

more distrust of communist government

2. Late 1980s: protests erupt in satellite nations

3. By 1991 USSR collapses 4. Russia is largest & most powerful

of all former USSR republics

II. The Soviet Era (continued)