Bell Ringer How many time zones does Russia have? What is an important aspect of Lake Baikal? What is important about the Volga River? What are the drainage basins associated with Russia?

Chapter 15 Section 2 & 3 (pg. 350-356) Geography of Russia Chapter 15 Section 2 & 3 (pg. 350-356)

I. Climate Climate of Extremes Extremely cold, temperatures reach -95 Steel cracks, tires explode “Whispering of the stars” – frozen breath Major Climate Regions Humid Continental (warm summer, very cold winters) Subarctic (long cold winters, short cool summer)

I. Climate Continentality Most of country is hundreds of miles from moderating effect of sea Region covered by permafrost: layer of permanently frozen subsoil

II. Vegetation – 4 Regions Tundra (polar) Arctic climate zone: mosses, lychens, small herbs, low shrubs Forest South of tundra, largest forest on earth- the taiga Primarily coniferous (year-round) trees Fur bearing animals

II. Vegetation – 4 Regions Steppe Temperate grassland Highly fertile soil Major source of grain Desert Semiarid West and central Asia Kara/Kyzyl Kum cover 230,000 square miles

III. The Shrinking Aral Sea Trying to irrigate Central Asia Dramatic impact Aral Sea recedes 25 miles Exposed graveyard of abandoned ships Powerful winds blow lots of dust from dry seabed Anyone remaining risks illness

III. The Shrinking Aral Sea Disappearing Lake Aral Sea lost 80% of its water Irrigation projects took money, and water, away from river Without that source it evaporated Effects of Agriculture After using pesticides and fertilizers, runoff is picked up through streams or rivers Destroyed all its native species of fish

IV. The Russian Winter Causes difficulties for inhabitants Helps in War Napoleon tried to take Russia, but his troops died from the cold Troops set fire to cities, so invaders had no where to shelter themselves from the cold

V. Crossing the “Wild East” Trans-Siberian Railroad Links Moscow and Vladivostok Covered 5,700 miles Resource wealth in Siberia With railroad completed, larger profit can be obtained from resources