It's Always Tougher in Russia By: Mandy Quan, Ken Zou, and Jonathan Kermah

Lakes Russia has two lakes. They are Lake Baikal and the Caspian Sea.

Lake Baikal Lake Baikal is located high up in the Central Siberian Plateau in southern Siberia at 53 degrees north and 108 degrees east. It is the world's oldest lake at more than 30 million years old. It is also the world's deepest freshwater lake and it holds 20% of the world's supply of unfrozen freshwater. Problem The Paper-and-Pulp located nearby at Baikalsk is heavily polluting the lake and nearby areas.

Lake Baikal Pollution of Lake Baikal

Caspian Sea The Caspian Sea is located in southwest Russia at 40 degrees north and 51 degrees east. It is about the size of California and it is the largest inland body of water in the world. The Caspian Sea is really a lake, not a sea and it has saltwater, not freshwater. Russia shares this lake with four other countries. Problem The Caspian Sea is being polluted by the Volga River. There is also oil underground the Caspian Sea which causes other countries to fight for it.

An oil rig on the Caspian Sea

Seas Russia has many seas because it is a very vast country. One of Russia's most important seas is the Black Sea.

Black Sea The Black Sea is located to the southwest of Russia at 44 degrees north and 35 degrees east. Through this sea, Russia gains access to the Mediterranean Sea which is vital for trade. Problem There is too much algal growth which creates less and less oxygen the water. There are also many pollutants in the sea from oil spills.

A shipwreck pollutes the waters of the Black Sea

Mountain Ranges There are many mountains in Russia because it is a very rugged country. Many of the mountains are located in Siberia and in the western part of Russia.

Urals Mountains The Urals Mountains are located in western Russia. They are very old and worn out by erosion so they are not very high. They are quite extensive though, running about 2,500 miles from the Arctic Ocean to Russia's southern boundary.

Urals Mountains Problem The problem with the Urals Mountains is that there is a lot of radiation pollution in the air from nuclear facilities made by the Soviet Union.

Caucasus Mountains The Caucasus Mountains are found in southwest Russia. They separate southwestern Russia from Southwest Asia. They are thickly covered with pine trees and many other different kinds of trees. The Caucasus are much taller than the Urals Mountains. The highest mountain of this range is Mt. Elbrus which is 18,510 feet tall. Mt. Elbrus is also the tallest peak on the European continent.

Rivers There are many rivers in Russia. The longest river is the Volga River.

Volga River It is the longest river in Europe. It is also an important transportation route which is connected by canals. Problem The Volga River drains 20% of European land area. It is the source of 80% of Caspian Sea's fresh water inflow. It also brings chemicals into the Caspian Sea.

Peninsulas Kamchatka Peninsula There are many mountains located on this peninsula. Most of the mountains are part of the Ring of Fire. The Kamchatka Peninsula is located on the eastern part of Russia at 62 degrees north and 165 degrees east. Problem There are many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes that occur on this peninsula. This peninsula is also full of toxic from the Soviet Union.

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