Russia

Russia

Objectives: Describe the physical geography of Russia. Summarize the history and government of Russia. Describe the culture of Russia. Explain Russia's position in world affairs from the Cold War to today.

Summary

Arctic Circle.Russia is the world's largest country in terms of size. It borders the Arctic Circle in the north, along with 14 countries in Eurasia, a landmass that includes Europe and Asia.Since Russia is so large, its climates vary. Parts of the country have a temperate climate. The regions that are closer to the Arctic Circle, meanwhile, have a polar climate.

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Geographic Features

Because of Russia's size, the country is home to many types of geographic features, including mountains, rivers, and plains.Russia has access to the Arctic and Pacific oceans. It also has access to several seas that are important for travel and trade.

The Kamchatka Peninsula is located in far eastern Russia and reaches the Pacific Ocean. It gets more rainfall than most other areas of Russia.The peninsula is also home to several active volcanoes, including the biggest active volcano in the northern hemisphere, Klyuchevskaya Sopka.

The Ural Mountains lie on the western side of Russia and stretch roughly 1,600 miles from north to south. These mountains form part of the northern border between the continents of Europe and Asia. They are rich in minerals, ores, and other natural resources.The Ural Mountains serve as a natural barrier, dividing eastern and western Siberia.

Russia is home to several important rivers and bodies of water. The Volga River runs through central Russia and drains into the Caspian Sea. The Volga is the longest river in Europe. The Caspian Sea is the largest inland body of water in the world. It borders several countries in Europe and Asia, including Russia.Western Russia has access to the Baltic Sea in northern Europe via the Gulf of Finland. A large part of northern Russia, meanwhile, is bordered by the Arctic Ocean, the smallest of the five major oceans. The Arctic Ocean is located in the northern polar region, and much of the year, it is frozen over.

The West Siberian Plain is in Siberia, a vast region of Russia that spans both Europe and Asia. The plain is just east of the Ural Mountains and stretches about 400 miles north to south. It has relatively low elevation and is home to many swamps and flatlands.Parts of the West Siberian Plain have rich soil that is easy to farm. However, many of the swampy lowlands are difficult to farm, and flooding makes building on the land difficult.

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Russia is a vast country that stretches across the continents of Europe and Asia. Its climate and weather can vary greatly from place to place.

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Natural Resources

Russia is rich in natural resources, more so than just about any country in the world. It has the largest natural gas reserves in the world and is a major source for iron ore, timber, coal, and other minerals.

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Russia is a vast country with access to a great many natural resources, especially resources that produce energy.Russia's many resources have helped its economy grow. People in Russia use these resources for themselves and for trade.

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A Brief History of Human Settlement in Russia

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Russia's strength as a world power grew after World War II. There is some evidence of early humans settling in Russia. There are also historical records of Greek and Roman peoples having visited Russia, or traded with Russians during ancient times. But it wasn't until the 600s, with the arrival of the Slavs, that human settlement in Russia really developed. Over time, Russia grew from a small group of states into a powerful empire.

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From the 600s to the 1700s, Russia grew from a collection of smaller settlements into one of the world's most successful empires. Rulers like Peter the Great and Catherine the Great established Russia as a major world power, as well as a center for trade and learning.

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Russia in the 20th Century

After the rule of Catherine the Great, the Russian Empire remained a world power. Still, it faced major problems, and its rulers struggled to improve the lives of common people. By the late 1800s, these issues had turned Russia into a center of conflict.As Russia entered the 1900s, these conflicts only grew worse. Two world wars, revolutions, and the Cold War all influenced the direction the country took. Leaders Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin created the Soviet Union, turning Russia from a monarchy led by a czar into a communist government run by a dictator.

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Russia in the 20th century was marked by war — both within and outside the country — along with revolutions and hardship. But this period was also a time of growth, when Russia became one of the world's strongest powers.

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An Introduction to Russian Culture

Russian culture has led to remarkable achievements in arts and science.With the rise of the Soviet Union as a world superpower in the 20th century, the Russian language, people, and religion spread outside the region and influenced the modern world.

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Urban versus Rural Russia

Russia is home to nearly 145 million people. Most of the population lives in the western part of the country, in Europe. Nearly 75 percent of the population resides in urban cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, while only 25 percent of the population lives in rural areas. Each lifestyle poses unique challenges to the Russian people.

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Most Russians are descended from East Slavic tribes, which eventually broke into different groups and developed their own customs. Today, Russia is a huge country, but most of its population is urban and concentrated in one region. Both rural and urban populations face unique challenges.

Annotate the area of the map where most of the population of Russia lives.

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The Culture of Russia Russia has a rich culture, with art, music, and food that are important not just to Russia but to the rest of the world as well.

Transcript of the video Russia's music, art, literature, food, and technology have had a lasting impact on the country and the rest of the world. Russia has a long music tradition that began with folk music of the Rus and hymns of the Russian Orthodox Church. Early string instruments like the gusli and the gudok were common in Russian folk music. Russia produced many great classical composers. Pyotr Tchaikovsky was world-famous for ballets like Swan Lake, Snow White, and The Nutcracker, which are all still popular today. And Igor Stravinsky was a creative composer who inspired and influenced composers throughout the world. Russia is home to many artistic styles. A style of religious painting known as icon art was common across Russia and is still found in homes today. One of Russia's especially well-known art forms is matryoshka dolls, also known as nesting dolls. In the early 20th century, Russian painters like Wassily Kandinsky became famous for making colorful abstract paintings. Russia has also produced some of the most well-respected and widely read authors in the world: people like Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Anton Chekhov, who is often considered the greatest short story writer of all time. The food of Russia is varied. Soups (both hot and cold), porridges, and boiled meats are common. Typical vegetables in Russian cuisine include potatoes and cabbage. Russians often pickle vegetables as well, making dishes like sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) and pickled tomatoes. Russia has made many scientific advances throughout its history, but it's best known for its achievements in space. When it was still the Soviet Union, Russia sent the first human-made satellite, known as Sputnik, into space. The Soviet Union also became the first country in the world to send a human-powered spacecraft into orbit. The Vostok-1 was the name of the craft, and Yuri Gagarin was the pilot.

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Throughout their country's history, the Russian people have made great contributions to art, music, and literature.Russia's cultural and scientific achievements have had a lasting impact on the country and the rest of the world.

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Present-Day Russia

Russia continues to be a major world power today. Since the fall of the Soviet Union in the late 20th century, Russia has struggled to improve its economy. However, it remains a powerful country, largely due to its natural resources. Russia's population also ranks ninth largest in the world.

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Although much has changed since the Cold War ended, Russia is still an important country. It has a growing economy, a large population, and a lot of power in world affairs. Check Your Understanding- Question 1 of 2 Attempt 1 of 2 Determine whether each statement is true or false.

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Issues in Russia

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia has had both struggles and successes. It struggled to shift to a market economy, and its government has been criticized for being authoritarian. But its rich natural resources and powerful military have continued to make Russia an influential country.

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In terms of its size, Russia is:

A. the world's largest country. B. smaller than the United States. C. smaller than Canada D. larger than Africa.

Match the geographic feature with its description.

Most of Russia has a temperate climate, which means it is:

A. very cold throughout the year. B. cold in the summer and humid and hot in the winter. C. hot and humid for most of the year. D. humid and hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

The Ural Mountains are rich in iron ore and other metals. People in Russia have mined these metals for hundreds of years.The country also has gold, which is mostly located in Siberia and far eastern Russia. Though gold is one of Russia's major exports, its production has declined in recent years.

Russia has large oil reserves, mostly located in western Siberia. Oil is an important energy source in Russia and a valuable resource for trade. In recent years, Russia has become one of the world's largest producers of oil.

Russia is one of the world's leading providers of coal. Most of the coal is located in Siberia. Burning coal provides the country with an important source of energy.

Russia has one of the largest fishing industries in the world. This is partly because Russia has the world's fourth-longest coastline. Fishing can be difficult in winter, however, when parts of the ocean freeze and limit people's ability to travel and fish.

Russia has one of the world's largest supplies of wood. The country has many huge forests, especially in Siberia. People cut down trees to create timber, which is a building material. Timber is one of Russia's main sources of income.

Russia has the world's largest reserves of natural gas. Natural gas is an important energy source for both Russia and Europe. Russia supplies Europe with most of its natural gas.

Identify four important natural resources in Russia.

A. CornB. OreC. TimberD. OilE. CoalF. Beef

In one paragraph, explain how you think Russia's access to natural resources influences the country's power in the world.

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By the 600s, a group of people known as the Slavs moved from eastern Europe and began to settle in what is now Russia. These Slavic people are considered the earliest ancestors of the modern Russian people. Over time, Slavic people organized into large communities and settled lands across western Russia and into Siberia. Many were farmers, but some were merchants and traders.

In 1762, Catherine II became empress after her husband — Emperor Peter III — died. During her rule, Russia grew into one of the world's great powers. She expanded Russia's lands by winning wars in eastern Europe and western Asia. Under Catherine II, Russia even began to colonize Alaska in North America.Catherine II was responsible for encouraging the growth of the arts and sciences. She helped create a new education system in which many people could get an education for free. In 1764, she also created the first government-funded college for women in Europe. During her rule, Russia experienced a golden age of growth and wealth, and she became known as Catherine the Great.

In 1683, Peter I became czar of Russia. He worked to expand Russia's lands even more. Through a series of wars, Peter won control over lands in northern Europe and in Asia. He founded a new city, which became St. Petersburg. After his victories, he declared himself Russia's emperor and became known as Peter the Great.During his rule, Peter established several schools and created a system in which people were given government jobs based on merit instead of their wealth or the importance of their family. Although Peter's rule was a success, Russia's growth after his death stalled.

By the 1400s, the city of Moscow had become the center for the Russian Orthodox Church. Leaders in the city had greatly expanded their power and territory by pushing out the last of the Mongols.Prince Ivan III of Moscow expanded his territory and established Moscow as the reigning power in Russia. He forced the princes of all other Russian territories to recognize the prince of Moscow as the supreme ruler, or czar. His grandson Ivan IV, most commonly known as Ivan the Terrible, was the first official czar of Russia. He ruled harshly over Russia's nobles but expanded Russia's lands and became popular among commoners. After Ivan IV's rule ended in the late 1500s, Russia continued to grow more powerful.

Kievan Rus was already losing power when the Mongols invaded. The Mongols were a group of warriors from northern Asia led by Genghis Khan. They swept through Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, conquering lands. The city of Kiev was hit hard and never recovered from the destruction the Mongols caused. Instead, other Russian cities, including Moscow, began to gain power.

People from northern Europe known as Vikings arrived in what is now Russia and began to conquer the region by 900. One of their leaders, Rurik, conquered the city of Kiev and established the first East Slavic state, which was called Rus. This is where Russia gets its name.Rurik's successor, Prince Oleg, conquered the other Slavic tribes and brought them under Kievan Rus rule. In time, Kiev grew to be a powerful state that ruled over other smaller states. The people of Kievan Rus became important traders, building trade routes that connected Europe and Asia. They also embraced Orthodox Christianity, which spread into their lands through trade with eastern Europe.

In 1894, Nicholas II became czar of Russia. For most of his rule, he struggled to solve Russia's problems. Although Russia had become an influential power in the early 20th century, most of its people were poor farmers. Social unrest was common. And then, in 1905, the country lost a war with Japan despite having a larger military. People were upset, and many called for changes to the government. In the early 1900s, a Russian priest named Father Gapon led a protest that turned deadly when soldiers fired on the crowd, killing hundreds. This event became known as Bloody Sunday and sparked more uprisings against the czar, who was widely blamed for the event. Although Nicholas II managed to remain Russia's czar, he was forced to give more power to the Russian people.

Decades of conflict greatly weakened the Soviet Union, and the country was unable to develop at the same pace as the United States. The entire region experienced poverty and unrest. Countries in Soviet areas of control rose up and formed democratic governments that sought to overthrow the communists.In the early 1990s, the Soviet Union broke up, and a new country formed: the Russian Federation. The Russian Federation banned the Communist Party and created a new, more democratic government.

The Soviet Union became one of the world's strongest powers in the years following World War II. As a major communist nation, it became an opponent of the democratic United States, and the next several decades were defined by a conflict known as the Cold War.The United States and the Soviet Union took actions to control or influence parts of the world and establish alliances. Tensions grew when the Soviet Union developed nuclear weapons. Although the United States and the Soviet Union never went to war, the period was marked by fear and uneasy alliances between democratic and communist countries.

In 1939, Nazi Germany began World War II by invading Poland. Stalin took the opportunity to claim land for the Soviet Union — sending Russian troops into eastern Poland and Finland. Germany and the Soviet Union agreed not to fight each other, but tensions between them remained high. In 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union, seizing key Soviet territories. The Soviet Union then allied with the United States and Great Britain to fight Nazi Germany. Although the Soviets suffered great losses, the Russian army eventually held. By late 1942, Soviet forces launched a counterattack, pushing the Germans back. Near the end of the war, the Russians invaded Germany, defeating the Nazis and capturing the German capital of Berlin. Although Russia was on the winning side, it suffered great losses. Over 20 million Russian people died because of the war.

In 1924, the Russian Communist Party wrote a new constitution and created the Soviet Union. Afterward, the Russian government owned all land and industry. Russia's government also stripped the church of all its power.Joseph Stalin took control of the Soviet Union in the early 1920s after Vladimir Lenin became ill. Stalin quickly became a powerful dictator. He oversaw the government takeover of the economy, building factories, taking control of farms, and forcing people to work. During Stalin's rule, the Soviet Union also discouraged religion and placed limits on artistic freedom.

In 1914, Russia entered World War I on the side of Britain and France, fighting against Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. During the war, Russia suffered many defeats, and Czar Nicholas II became even more unpopular. By 1917, the Russian people had had enough, and they rose up against the czar. This event began the Russian Revolution.After months of fighting, the Russian Revolution ended, and a new government was created, led by a group known as the Bolsheviks. The Bolshevik leader — Vladimir Lenin — created a communist government in 1917. However, this government was unstable, and it led to a bloody civil war that resulted in death, disease, and famine. Lenin ruled Russia from 1917 to 1922, when he became ill. He remained an important figure until his death in 1924.

The Russian people are mostly descended from groups of East Slavic tribes, who settled in the region by the 600s. Russians share many traits with the people of Belarus and Ukraine, where East Slavic tribes also settled. Over time, East Slavic tribes broke into three distinct groups — Eastern, Northern, and Southern. Each group had its own language and customs.

Most people in Russia speak Russian, which is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. In recent times, Russian has adopted words from many other languages, especially in topics like science and technology.In the 20th century, the Russian language became more common worldwide. Today, nearly 200 million people around the globe speak Russian.

The main religion in Russia is Christianity, practiced by members of the Russian Orthodox Church. At least half the population of Russia is said to belong to the Russian Orthodox Church, which has been an important part of Russian culture for hundreds of years.Since the fall of the Soviet Union — whose government largely disapproved of religion — other religious practices have become common, though none rival the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Most of the Russian population lives in urban areas. In general, urban Russians have a higher standard of living, with better access to social services and health care. However, they also face many problems, including overcrowded transit and few affordable housing options. Many people who live in urban areas are poor. Moscow is the Russian city with the largest population: over 10 million people. St. Petersburg has the second-largest population, with about 5 million people. They are both located in the western part of the country.

Most people in rural Russia live in the country's warmer climates, where farming is easier. Colder areas in northern and eastern Russia have difficult living conditions and are home to fewer people.In general, people who live in rural Russia have less access to public services, health care, employment, and education. During Soviet rule, farms were owned by the government and rural dwellers were treated as lower-class citizens. Today, much of the population in rural areas still commutes to the city for work.

What is the major religion of Russia? A. Russian Orthodox Christianity B. Islam C. Roman Catholic Christianity D. Judaism

Identify three services that are more difficult to access in rural Russia.A. EducationB. Public services C. FoodD. NatureE. Health care

Russia is considered a mixed or transitional economy because it's not entirely planned by the government but isn't entirely a free market either. Although Russia's economy was weak after the Cold War ended, it has recovered and is now growing. Because Russia is rich in natural resources, it is an important global power. It holds the largest reserves of natural gas and is a major manufacturer of weapons. Russia exports both natural gas and weapons to other countries. Moscow is home to most of the country's major industries, and therefore most of its money; as a result, other parts of the country are relatively poor.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia has remained an important world power with a large military. Though relations with the United States improved in the period after the Cold War, Russia continues to have a rocky relationship with countries in Europe and North America.In the second decade of the 2000s, Russia's relationship with the United States declined. This was especially true during the Ukraine crisis, when Russia took control of land claimed by Ukraine. Russia has also been involved in several other territorial disputes with Asian and European countries.

The population of Russia is roughly 145 million people. Most of these people live in urban areas. Despite the country's large population, some areas, like parts of Siberia and the Ural Mountains, remain uninhabited because of their harsh climates.Most Russians have access to education and health care, although this is less true in rural areas. Most people can also find work, but incomes are generally lower than they are in other European countries or the United States.

Most of Russia's money is generated from industries in what city? A. Novosibirsk B. Kiev C. Moscow D. St. Petersburg