Transcript Northern European Plain

Geography
Northern Landforms
1/6 of the earth’s land surface (8.5 million square
miles)

4 different areas include:

1. Central Siberian Plateau

High plateaus dominate.
2. Russian Far East:


Far east consists of volcanic ranges.
Contains islands off of the peninsula.
3. Northern European Plain:



Extensive lowland area.
Chernozem (black earth soil) is fertile and
abundant creating good farming.
75% of the population lives on the plain.
4. West Siberian Plain:


Separated from the Northern Plain by the Ural
Mountains.
Division of Europe and Asia (Eurasia)
Southern Landforms

Caucasus mountains separate Russia from
Transcaucasia (the republics of Georgia,
Azerbaijan, & Armenia).

Central Asia contains the republics of
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan which are
dominated by the Tian Shan Mountains.
Caucasus Mountains
Central Asia and Transcaucasia
Rivers and Lakes

Arctic basin is the largest drainage system in
the region.


Volga River is the longest (2,300 miles)


The ob, Yenisey, and the Lena drain in the Arctic.
Carries 60% of Russia’s traffic.
Caspian and Aral seas are two of the largest
lakes in the world.
Volga River
Caspian and Aral Sea

Caspian Sea is the largest inland sea in the
world.

Aral Sea is used for irrigation, and is 80%
depleted; could vanish.

Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world;
holds 20% of the world’s fresh water.
Aral Sea depletion
Resources

Vast of resources that are difficult to manage.

Challenges include



difficulty transporting resources from remote areas
how to preserve the environment.
Huge reserves of coal, iron ore, metals, oil, and
natural gas.

Timber and hydroelectric power are also large
resources.

Harsh climates, rugged terrain, and vast distances
make it difficult to remove resources and transport.

Many resources are located in Siberia.
 Frigid arctic and subarctic region of Russia.
 Difficult to attract workers.
Siberia

Mining operations have caused significant
damage, as has oil and gas extraction.

Hydroelectric dams have caused damage to
plants and animals.

Leaders will have to balance the need for
economic growth with their responsibility to
protect the environment.
Chapter 15, Section 2
Climate and Vegetation
Climate


Humid continental and subarctic climates dominate
much of Russia and the Republics.
Region’s enormous size has a major effect on its
climates called continentality.

Distance from the sea affects the amount of
precipitation

Distance from the sea results in extreme temperatures.

Siberia ranges from 50 degrees to -90.

Siberians use frozen rivers and lakes as roads
for transportation.

Transcaucasia has a subtropical climate zone
from the Mediterranean Sea.
Vegetation Regions
1.
Tundra:


2.
In the Arctic climate zone.
Only specific vegetation including mosses,
lichens, small herbs, and low shrubs are able to
survive.
Forest:



South of the tundra is the largest forest on earth
called the taiga.
Mostly coniferous trees.
Fur bearing animals
Tundra
Forest and Taiga
3. Steppe:

Temperate grassland that extends from southern
Ukraine to Altay Mountains.

Chernozem soil which is used to grow grain.
4. Desert:

2 main deserts include the Kara Kum in
Turkmenistan

Kyzyl Kum Desert in Uzbekistan
Steppe
Desert
Candy Questions Time!

Rules of Engagement:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Everything off your desk!
Ms. Barnes will ask a question.
First person to stand up, as witnessed by herself
or Mr. McEwen, answers the question.
If they are correct a piece of candy will be tossed
their way. If they are wrong the question will be
asked again later.

NO changing candies. Be happy with what you have!
Questions
1. Why does the Northern European Plain have
the majority of the population?
2. What is chernozem and why is it important?
3. What separates Russia from Transcaucasia?
4. What is the region’s largest drainage basin?
5. Why is the Aral Sea in danger?
6. Why is Lake Baikal unique?
7. What are some of the resources that have been
developed in Russia and the Republics?
8. Why might extracting and transporting the
region’s resources be difficult?
9. In what region are the majority of resources
located?
10. Explain how Russia’s size impacts the
climate.
11. What is the name of the largest forest on
earth?
12. What kind of vegetation does the steppe
have?
13. What type of climate does Transcaucasia
have (located near the Mediterranean Sea)?