1. RUSSIA

2. THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
The capital is Moscow
It is 6,000 miles long (crosses 11 time zones)
It is made up 15 republics (Russia is the largest

3. Former Soviet Region Compared in Latitude & Area with the United States

4. Russia’s Time Zones

5. Topography of Russia

6. LANDFORMS North European Plain and the West Siberian Plain
Caucasus Mountains - in between the Black and Caspian Seas
Pamir Mountains - blocks moisture from the Pacific creating deserts

8. SEAS AND LAKES Water is supplied by inland lakes and seas
The Caspian Sea is the largest inland sea
Its tributaries are used for irrigation

9. The Aral Sea is shrinking because irrigation is draining the rivers that feed into the sea

11. Lake Baikal - the deepest lake in the world
very pure, clean water

14. RIVERS Dneiper Don Volga
They are all in the western part of the country
Used as highways for trade

15. Rivers in Siberia Ob
Yenisei
Lena
They supply hydroelectric power

18. CLIMATE
Most of the Russian Republics are above the 49th degree of latitude
It is cold continental - long, bitter cold winters and short summers
Because of the harsh climate, the Russians have limited growing seasons and transportation problems

19. Permafrost - layers of soil below the surface that are permanently frozen
The northern ports are usually frozen which limits trade
Ukraine and Kazakhstan are considered the “Bread Basket” because the rich black soil is good for farming
Land goes from tundra to desert

20. Rich Soil of the Steppes
Chernozen Soil

23. Purple Snow!!
In the Southern Region; mixed with sand from African sandstorms: it is not toxic

26. RESOURCES Timber, coal, oil, iron ore, natural gasses, platinum, etc.
Major problem- most of the resources are in Siberia and very difficult to get at
Modern technology has caused a lot of pollution in the country

27. POPULATION Russia is a multicultural nation
Over 100 nationalities are represented each with its own culture
Many nationalist groups have demanded their independence which cause the breakup of the Soviet Union