1. Warm up 1.Define Communism 2.Define Infrastructure 3.What is Hydroelectric power? 4.What was the Soviet Union? 5.Does the Soviet Union still exist today? 6.Why or why not?

2. Russia and Central Asia Economic Characteristics

3. Economic Characteristics Russia and Central Asia used to be a communist Economy. Now Russia and central Asia are a free market Economy.

4. Fertile Triangle The farming industry is concentrated in the fertile triangle region where rich Chernozem soils are found. Mostly Wheat is farmed there.

5. Cotton Cotton is a major product of Central Asia Cotton Farming ion Kyrgyzstan

6. Trans-Siberian Railway Extends from Across the continent of Asia

7. Transportation Rivers, Canals, and Railroads are common forms of transportation in Central Asia and Russia.

8. Energy Resources Hydroelectric power

9. Energy Resources Oil and Natural Gas

10. Bad for the economy Russian natural resources not fully developed due to climate Russia’s transportation links are limited because of the vastness and climate of the region. Like parts of Venice and mexico City, there is widespread POLLUTION in Russia and Central Asia.

11. Competition for resources Foreign competition for investment in the region. Other countries want to invest in oil pipelines in the region.

12. Challenges Political and economic difficulties after the breakup of the Soviet Union

13. The Aral Sea The Aral Sea was once a great help to the economy, but now that its drying up it is negatively impacting the region.

14. Aral Sea video 1.What kind of environment has taken the place of the Aral Sea? 2.Which industries were important around the Aral Sea before it shrank? 3.What did humans do to cause the Aral Sea to dry? 4.How has the event impacted the environment and climate? 5.What percent of the Aral Sea has dissipated?

15. Class Questions 1.What happened to the Aral Sea? 2.Describe Russia and Central Asia’s transportation system 3.What are two main crops grown in the region? 4.What is the fertile triangle? 5.Is pollution a problem in this part of the world? 6.What are countries competing for in Russia? 7.What are Russia and Central Asia’s three main energy resources? 8.Russia and central Asia had a ___________ economy and now they have a _______________ economy 9.What is something interesting that you learned today?