THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

• The capital is Moscow• It is 6,000 miles long

(crosses 11 time zones)

• It is made up 15 republics (Russia is the largest

Former Soviet Region Former Soviet Region Compared in Latitude & Compared in Latitude &

Area with the United Area with the United StatesStates

Russia’s Time ZonesRussia’s Time Zones

Topography of RussiaTopography of Russia

LANDFORMS

• North European Plain and the West Siberian Plain

• Caucasus Mountains - in between the Black and Caspian Seas

• Pamir Mountains - blocks moisture from the Pacific creating deserts

SEAS AND LAKES

• Water is supplied by inland lakes and seas

• The Caspian Sea is the largest inland sea

• Its tributaries are used for irrigation

• The Aral Sea is shrinking because irrigation is draining the rivers that feed into the sea

• Lake Baikal - the deepest lake in the world

• very pure, clean water

RIVERS

• Dneiper• Don• Volga• They are all in the

western part of the country

• Used as highways for trade

• Rivers in Siberia• Ob • Yenisei• Lena• They supply

hydroelectric power

CLIMATE

• Most of the Russian Republics are above the 49th degree of latitude

• It is cold continental - long, bitter cold winters and short summers

• Because of the harsh climate, the Russians have limited growing seasons and transportation problems

• Permafrost - layers of soil below the surface that are permanently frozen

• The northern ports are usually frozen which limits trade• Ukraine and Kazakhstan are considered the “Bread

Basket” because the rich black soil is good for farming• Land goes from tundra to desert

Rich Soil of the SteppesRich Soil of the Steppes

ChernozenChernozen Soil Soil

Purple Snow!!

In the Southern Region; mixed with sand from African sandstorms: it is not toxic

RESOURCES

• Timber, coal, oil, iron ore, natural gasses, platinum, etc.

• Major problem- most of the resources are in Siberia and very difficult to get at

• Modern technology has caused a lot of pollution in the country

POPULATION

• Russia is a multicultural nation

• Over 100 nationalities are represented each with its own culture

• Many nationalist groups have demanded their independence which cause the breakup of the Soviet Union