What is the largest country in the world? #1 Russia CSCOPE 2007 2
Russia Dimensions #2-3 Spans 11 Time Zones From East to West: Gulf of Finland to Alaska From North to South: Above the Arctic Circle to the Caspian Sea 2x the size of the United States CSCOPE 2007 3
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RUSSIA CSCOPE 2007 5
MAIN PHYSICAL REGIONS Northern European Plain Eastward continuation from Western Europe Core of Russia s population is located here Ural Mountains 2,000 miles long (north-south) Source of minerals Central Siberian Plateau Area widely experiences permafrost #4 CSCOPE 2007 6
CLIMATE AS A RESTRICTIVE Agriculture CHARACTERISTIC Short growing seasons Erosion accelerated via snow melt Continentality- the effects of the sea on precipitation and temperature lessen further inland. Humid continental and subarctic climate -95F in Oymyakon #5 CSCOPE 2007 7
The majority of Russia s population is found in the western portion of the country. This area has higher population density due to warmer climate and more arable land. Volga River is key waterway. Ural mountains form eastern barrier. #6-8 Western Russia (core) CSCOPE 2007 9
NORTHERN EUROPEAN PLAIN Stretches over 1,000 miles from the Republics to the Ural Mountains Chernozem- world s most fertile soil and abundant on this plain Western Russia s agricultural center About 75% of the region s 290 million people live on this plain #9 CSCOPE 2007 10
THE URAL MOUNTAINS North-South length covers 2000 miles Central Urals are the lowest section and include several key crossing places Ural forests and minerals have been the source for Russia s industrialization The western side of the mountain range receives warm continental winds, while the eastern side is much cooler and drier. #10 CSCOPE 2007 11
Eastern Russia Western Russia CSCOPE 2007 12
Longest river on the European continent VOLGA RIVER #11-12 Flows southward 2,300 miles to the Caspian Sea From Moscow to the Caspian Sea Volga carries about 60% of Russia s river traffic CSCOPE 2007 13
THE CASPIAN SEA #13 Actually a saltwater lake Largest inland sea in the world Located in Central Asia Stretches nearly 750 miles from north to south Petroleum deposits located here are among the world s largest. CSCOPE 2007 14
ARAL SEA (not in Russia) Also a saltwater lake #14-15 Since the 1960 s, the Aral sea has lost 80% of its water volume Extensive irrigation projects have diverted rivers meant to drain into the lake Aral Sea could vanish within 20-30 years CSCOPE 2007 15
Aral Sea from space, August 1964 CSCOPE 2007 16
Aral Sea changes 2000-2013 CSCOPE 2007 17
Abandoned ships near Aral, Kazakhstan CSCOPE 2007 19
Siberia Lowlands Harsh climate Sparsely settled CSCOPE 2007 20
SIBERIA #16-19 Larger than the continental U.S., but less that 15 million people live here Siberia is a vast, flat region partly within the Arctic Circle with few geographic barriers to the freezing winds from the north. CSCOPE 2007 Challenging Environment Distance Average temperatures: Summer 50F, Winter -90F Arctic winds Poor soils Natural resources have led to expanding industry and trade Precious metals Metallic ores Oil and natural gas Timber 21
WEST SIBERIAN PLAIN The world s largest continuous lowland Includes several major river basins Permafrost ground conditions CSCOPE 2007 22
CENTRAL SIBERIAN PLATEAU Sparsely settled #20 Limited access- 1,000-2,000 ft. elevation Restrictive climate and permafrost Resources include: Coal Iron ore Gold Diamonds Natural gas CSCOPE 2007 23
THE ARTIC BASIN Region s largest drainage basin Drains an area larger that 1 million square miles #21 Include three power rivers: Ob River Yenisei River Lena River CSCOPE 2007 25
Borders China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan Lake Baikal is key area #22 EASTERN FRONTIER CSCOPE 2007 26
LAKE BAIKAL Deepest lake in the world- 5,715 ft. #23-24 At deepest point, it is more than a mile from the surface to the bottom Holds 20% of the world s fresh water Holds 1,200 species of animals CSCOPE 2007 27
Limited accessibility Asian frontier? Fishing- primary industry #25 FAR EAST CSCOPE 2007 30
After the Notes Which geographic factors have helped Russia become a developed country? Which geographic factors hinder Russia s development? CSCOPE 2007 31