1. RUSSIA Russian Federation

2. General Information Russian armed forces were badly beaten during WWI. Russian armed forces were badly beaten during WWI. These defeats caused civil unrest and rioting. These defeats caused civil unrest and rioting. In 1917, the Romanov Dynasty (ruling family for over 300 years) fell. In 1917, the Romanov Dynasty (ruling family for over 300 years) fell.

3. Vladimir Lenin and a group known as the Communists seized power. Vladimir Lenin and a group known as the Communists seized power. The USSR was formed. The USSR was formed. Josef Stalin became ruler and stayed in power from 1928-1953. Josef Stalin became ruler and stayed in power from 1928-1953. Stalin killed tens of millions of people in order to try to strengthen Russian dominance of the Soviet Union. Stalin killed tens of millions of people in order to try to strengthen Russian dominance of the Soviet Union.

4. Soviet Society did not progress for decades. Soviet Society did not progress for decades. General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev gained power. General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev gained power. Gorbachev introduced “Glasnost” meaning openness as well as “Perestroika” which means restructuring. Gorbachev introduced “Glasnost” meaning openness as well as “Perestroika” which means restructuring. These concepts tried to modernize communism. These concepts tried to modernize communism. Instead of reaching those goals, Soviet Society splintered into 15 independent republics in 12/1991. Instead of reaching those goals, Soviet Society splintered into 15 independent republics in 12/1991.

6. Russia has since made attempts to build a democratic system of politics. Russia has since made attempts to build a democratic system of politics. They are also trying to build a market economy. They are also trying to build a market economy. In an area known as Chechnya, there is a problem with rebel Guerilla warfare. In an area known as Chechnya, there is a problem with rebel Guerilla warfare.

7. Location Absolute: Absolute: 60°N Latitude, and 100°East Longitude. Relative: Relative: Northern Asia, East of the Ural Mountains. Borders the Arctic Ocean. Wedged between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean.

9. Place: Approximately 1.8 times the size of the U.S.A. Approximately 1.8 times the size of the U.S.A. Climate ranges from steppes in the south to a more humid feeling in most parts of European Russia. Siberia is Subarctic, and in the North, there is frozen tundra. Climate ranges from steppes in the south to a more humid feeling in most parts of European Russia. Siberia is Subarctic, and in the North, there is frozen tundra.

10. Terrain: Terrain: Broad plains with low hills on the western side of the Urals. Natural Hazards: Natural Hazards: Siberia is mostly Permafrost. Kuril Islands are subject to intense volcanic activity. Kamchatka Peninsula has earthquakes and volcanic activity. There are spring floods and summer forest fires in Siberia and European Russia.

11. Ethnicity is Russian. Ethnicity is Russian. Ethnic Percentages: Ethnic Percentages:

12. Religions: Religions: Russian Orthodox, Muslim, and Other. Government is a Federation. Government is a Federation. Capital is Moscow. Capital is Moscow. Unit of currency is known as the ruble. Unit of currency is known as the ruble.

13. Human and Environmental Interaction: Air pollution from industry. Air pollution from industry. Coal fired electric plants. Coal fired electric plants. Industrial, municipal, and agricultural pollution. Industrial, municipal, and agricultural pollution. Deforestation Deforestation Soil Erosion Soil Erosion Radioactive contamination. Radioactive contamination. Toxic waste. Toxic waste. Obsolete pesticides. Obsolete pesticides.

14. Movement: Railways Railways Waterways Waterways Highways Highways Pipelines Pipelines Ports and Harbors Ports and Harbors Airports: 2,743 total. 471 are paved. Airports: 2,743 total. 471 are paved.

15. Illicit Drugs: Cannabis, Opium, and Methamphetamines are cultivated in small supplies. The government is trying hard to limit or eradicate this. Cannabis, Opium, and Methamphetamines are cultivated in small supplies. The government is trying hard to limit or eradicate this.

16. Region: China and Russia need to find a solution for disputes over fertile island land. Boundary with Georgia is in dispute. Also, The islands of Etorufu, Habomai, Kunashin, and Shikotan are being disputed with Japan. China and Russia need to find a solution for disputes over fertile island land. Boundary with Georgia is in dispute. Also, The islands of Etorufu, Habomai, Kunashin, and Shikotan are being disputed with Japan.