Physical Geography of Russia & the CIS Commonwealth of Independent States

Russia and the CIS Physical Geography Russia is about twice the size of the continental U.S.

Russian Plains

North European Plains Agricultural Zone- most of Russia’s farming is here Chernozem = black earth called the “Black Earth Belt” 75% of population lives in plains & 3 largest cities- Moscow, St. Petersburg & Kiev Ukraine= “The Bread Basket” of the region

North European Plains

West Siberian Plains World’s largest flat area-Covers an area of about 1.2 million square miles Formed by glacial deposits after the last Ice Age.

Turan Plains Desert Region Kara Kum (black sand) Kyzyl Kum (red sand desert)

Central Siberian Plateau high plateaus highlands & mountains are the dominate landform.

Mountains of Russia

Ural Mountains Divides Europe and Asia

Caucasus Mountains Between the Black & Caspian Seas and forms border between Russia and Transcaucasia (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) Mount Elbrus (extinct volcano that is Russia’s highest point)

Mt. Elbrus 18,510 ft

Russian Seas and Lakes

Black Sea Only warm water sea found in Russia Outlet to the Mediterranean- IMPORTANT in Russian’s History!

Caspian Sea World’s largest inland sea (actually a lake) Rivers run into the lake but no outlet to the Ocean It is a saltwater lake Lake is shrinking from evaporation How does this effect the salt content? This picture is taken in March- notice there is still ICE covering part of the Caspian Sea, lake divide equally, sea depends on length of coastline.

Aral Sea Rivers that drain into Aral Sea are being used for irrigation for cotton fields which causes Aral to shrink Aral Sea Video

Lake Baikal World’s oldest & deepest freshwater lake Holds 1/5 of earth’s fresh water (as much as all the Great Lakes combined) Lake Baikal is: 40 miles wide 400 miles long 1 mile deep Over 1200 species of plants & animals unique to the lake Houston to Dallas = 226 miles

Russian Rivers

Rivers in Russia Long & navigable Frozen most of the year= Makes trade difficult Rivers used for irrigation, transportation routes or hydroelectric power for densely populated urban areas

Volga River Called “Mother Volga”- provides the needs for the people longest river in Europe / 4th longest in Russia provides essential trade, communication, energy & water Carries about 60% of Russia’s river traffic

Natural Resources of Russia

Natural Resources Coal and Iron gold – world’s 2nd largest producer oil – soon to rival Saudi Arabia in production natural gas – world’s leading exporter hydroelectric power 1/5th of the world’s timber supply Coal and Iron

Siberia Many natural resources are found here Difficult to remove resources because of its harsh climate & rugged terrain (landscape) Most of Russia’s longest rivers—which supply 84% of the country’s water—are located in Siberia (only 25% of the population lives) Temperature fluctuates from about 50F to -90F

SIBERIA

Trans Siberian Rail Road

Russian Climate

Russia’s Climate Zones Climates are effected by high latitude and the mountains to the southeast Continentality: Distance from the sea which effects climate and precipitation

Russia’s Climate Zones Humid Continental & Subarctic climates dominate the northern & eastern region Semiarid & Desert climate around Transcaucasia region

Russian Vegetation Regions

Vegetation Regions steppe – wide, temperate grasslands in central Russia taiga – vast woodland of evergreen forests tundra – flat, treeless plains near Arctic Ocean