Transcript Russia - Social Studies

Chapter 14
Section 1
Russia
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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) 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
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.
Moscow
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.