Russia & Central Asia

The most important countries of Russia & Central Asia are Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan What is GDP? And what countries have the highest? Which countries have the largest land size? Which countries have the highest population?

Climate regions vary greatly due to the size of the region. Tundra (with permafrost)- mostly in the extreme northern regions. (like where) Subartic (with taiga)- mostly in Siberia. Steppe (semi-arid)- mostly in Central Asia (like where)

Russia & Central Asia sit on two continents, Europe & Asia; which covers 11 time zones. The area west of the Ural Mtns. Has very rich soil called chernozem and this region is often called the black earth belt The Ural Mtns. Divide Europe from Asia. The land east of the Ural Mtns. Is called Siberia, which means sleeping land. This region is rich in the following natural resources: natural gas, mineral resources, & oil. Many rivers flow north into the Artic Ocean like the Ob River

Rich resources…

Economic & Political Characteristics

The former Soviet Union broke apart in 1991 The former Soviet Union broke apart in 1991. There are now 15 independent countries in existence where there was once one country, the Soviet Union. The transition from the communist government to a democratic one has been very difficult for Russia & many of the new countries. Likewise, the transition from a command economy to a free market economy has been very difficult. Farming & industry occur mostly west of the Ural Mtns. in the area known as the Fertile Triangle where the black earth belt lies. The major type of farming here is wheat farming.

In Central Asia, the main type of agriculture is cotton farming Examples of energy resources in this region include hydroelectric power (using water to generate power), oil & natural gas. Russia is rich in natural resources. However, it is not economically profitable to develop many of these resources due to climate (subartic climate in Siberia), limited transportation links & the sheer vastness (size) of the country. There is foreign competition for investment in the region. (ex: oil pipelines)

The region suffers from widespread pollution (ex: Chernobyl- nuclear explosion in 1986 in former Ukraine) The Aral Sea is shrinking due to diversion of water for agricultural purposes Samarkand, Uzbekistan grew up on the major trade route known as the Silk Road

Examples of transportation systems in the infrastructure include: Trans-Siberian Railroad- the longest railroad in the world. It connects Moscow with the eastern region of Siberia. Novosibirsk & Vladivostok are both important cities that grew up on the Trans-Siberian railroad There are many systems of rivers & canals

Cultural Characteristics

The region is made up of diverse ethnic groups, customs & traditions The region is made up of diverse ethnic groups, customs & traditions. This includes not only many of Slavic heritage but also many Turkic & Mongol heritages

Examples of cultural heritage Ballet Matrioskha dolls- sometimes called nesting dolls Oriental carpets Samovars- pots used to make tea Music Icons- religious images in Eastern Orthodox Christianity Faberge eggs- delicately decorated eggs

Examples of cultural landscape Russian Orthodox churches Red Square Mosques and minarets Tents & yurts St. Basil’s Church Kremlin Siberian villages Soviet-style apartment blocks