Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
Physical Features
Ural Mountains The Ural Mountains set the boundary between Europe and Asia. The Mountains are nearly 1550 miles long spreading from the north to the south. Originating at the Kara Sea and ending at the Ural River. The mountains average 3,300 to 3,600 ft. in elevation, with the highest peak being Mount Narodnaya at 6,217 feet. The Central and Southern Ural Mountains are home to one of the largest industrial regions in Russia, where metal goods, chemicals and machinery are produced.
- elenastravel.com
West Siberian Plains The Siberian Plain is located east of the Ural Mountains. It is considered to be the largest plain in the world. Consisting of mainly lowland, the plains make up nearly the entire eastern portion of the United States. The Ob River and its tributaries are responsible for draining this massive landmass. The Ob River carries the water north to the Arctic Ocean. The northern half of the plains experience “permafrost” (the soil never thaws.) The west portion of the plains contains some of the world’s largest reserves of oil and natural gas. They are in reserve because retrieving these resources is made very difficult due to the harsh climate and the frost.
- maps.thefullwiki.org
Central Siberian Plateau The Central Siberian Plateau also experiences “permafrost” at various depths. The frost covers nearly all of the land mass in this area. The Plateau lies north of the Asiatic Mountains and east of the West Siberian Plain, yet south of the Siberian Arctic Lowlands. The Plateau has been dissected over the years by the Yenisey River running along the western side and the Lena River running along the eastern side. At the peak, the Plateau is more than 1,600 feet in elevation. Made of limestone and clay, the Plateau has valuable mineral deposits near the surface. Limestone and dolomite bedrock are known to harbor diamonds.
- welcome2siberia.com
North European Plains The North European Plain is low and flat. They spread between the Carpathian Mountains in Ukraine and Romania to the Ural Mountains. They call them the “European” plain, because the Ural Mountains separate Europe from Asia. The European plain is very narrow when compared to other plains across the world. It expands only 200 miles in width, but is very long and stretches more than 2,000 miles.
- northcentralplains.com
Volga River The Volga, originating from the Valdai Hills northwest of Moscow flows north to southeast and pours into the Caspian Sea. Known to Russia as the “Queen of Rivers” the Volga is named Russia’s National River and is the, the longest river in Europe. The river winds over the land spreading nearly 2300 miles across the region. The Volga Basin is very large and nearly 1/3 of Russia’s populations lives within the basin. Many cities were built along the banks of this fascinating river and it has been a major source for transportation. The help from locks allow for large traffic up and down its flowage.
Volga River Lock - dividingmytime.typepad.com
Climate
The climate in this region is very harsh. The Yablonovyy Mountains blocks the warm air from the Indian Ocean from the south. The winters are very long and cold with very little daylight. The summers are short and generally cool, but eventually short bursts of warm to hot weather is present. The summer also brings long durations of daylight. Little rainfall makes it to this region; most of the precipitation is lost while traveling over Europe. The growing season is very short, and the crops need to be covered from frost most of the summer. The Caucasian Mountain zones have the best climate for agricultural growth, and they are considered the “agricultural backbone” of the region.
Resources
Crude oil and Natural gas Crude oil and Natural gas are responsible for the great economic future of this region. They are the largest export for this region, and account for nearly 50% of Russia’s federal tax intake.
Forests There are millions of acres of forest land in Russia, more than any other region in the world (22% of total.) There has been debate over how best these forests could suit the planet (i.e.; Carbon Dioxide diluting.)
- timeonhands.wordpress.com
Environmental Issues
The pollution in this region is nearly beyond repair. The air in some areas of Russia and the independent states is dangerous to breathe. The soil is dangerously polluted. Birth defects are in high numbers; this includes infants born without limbs. Cases of tuberculosis, cancer and heart disease are higher here than any other region in the world.
Water Pollution
The major present concern for Russia is the condition of the water. Less than half of the population has access to safe drinking water. There is severe pollution from heavy fertilization due to the short growing season as well as industrial waste, poor management of growth, and waste and nuclear contamination. The clean-up process has many complications with all of the governments involved and the little money they have to spend. The estimated cost of the cleanup is nearly $200 billion.
Nuclear Pollution
Russia and the Newly Independent States are responsible for the worst nuclear pollution in the world. This is caused partly due to the approx. 500 nuclear explosions during the Cold War. Other causes for the nuclear pollution include failing to properly cleanup former military sites (Tomsk-7) and the Chernobyl Power Plant Explosion in 1986. Northern Ukraine, Southern Belarus, Russia, Eastern Europe, and Scandinavia were affected during the explosion at Chernobyl. Nearly 5000 lives were lost, 30,000 people were disabled, and more than 100,000 families lost their homes. Areas very far away have also been affected because the pollution has been carried through the rivers, streams and wildlife. 14 nuclear reactors sank, polluting the Arctic Ocean, the Sea of Okhotsk and the Northwestern Pacific Ocean among others.
Devastation from Chernobyl Power Plant Explosion (1986)
In the past many residents settled on grassland due to the agricultural woes because they relied on the meat and milk from their livestock. The two main areas of settlement were later chosen as – the dry lands of Central Asia and the forests of Ukraine and Russia(Now known as Ukraine and European Russia.) Most of the population resides in European Russia. Eastern Russia is nearly desolate; population in this region is mainly in the cities. In the 1990’s health among residents drastically deteriorated, and the population declined. This was blamed on stress from loss of jobs, divorce, etc. The collapse of the Soviet Union was also blamed for these stressors. The life span for adults was declining. Between 1990 and 2003 the life span for men went from 63.9 – 59 years of age, for women it went from 74.4 – 72 years old. Suicide among adult males was the highest in the world, mainly from alcohol abuse. (Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. 2006.)
Role of Gender
In the past, all women were encouraged to work outside of the home. By 1970, 90% of the women in this region were working outside of the home. Many of them worked in factories and in fields as laborers. It was still expected that the women keep up with the domestic duties as well. Their wages were considerably lower than men, yet many of them are holding higher professions. By the 1990’s, women on average were better educated than the men.
Religion
Religion plays a very large role in the public and spiritual life for the people of Russia and the newly independent states. Orthodox Christian denomination is the majority belief. Christianity was originally adopted by Prince Vladimir of Kiev in 988; this marked the beginning of the Russian Orthodox Church. Times got tough in 1917, and eventually the church was separated from the state and the schools in January 1918 depriving it from some of its land. It wasn’t until the late 1980’s that great attempt was made to restructure the economic and political systems. During this time major changes were made between the state, schools and the church. There was finally hope for recovery. With success, in 1988 1610 new religious communities were registered in the country, most of them from Orthodox belief. In 1990, many laws were passed for the freedom of religion.
Transportation
During the time of the Soviet Union, roads were the least form of transportation. The Soviet put little interest in the production of automobiles and other ways of personal transport. The Railway was then the most popular form of transport. Even by 1991, road travel was only 13% and was expected to increase to only 41% within 20 years. The railway system however, was expanded over 154,000 km, and 26% of the railways were electrified. The entire track was no only used for general or public use. Some of it was strictly for cargo traffic only. Since the reform railway traffic has increasingly declined. This may be due to the decline in the region’s economy. Budgets were cut, and the railway began to deteriorate. As the economy declined air traffic did as well. Prices had increased and travelers could no longer afford the luxury of this form of travel. Water transportation is used for exports and imports. Due to harsh weather conditions limit this form of transportation. Soviet policy didn’t but much effort into public civilian transportation. Only six Russian cities have underground systems. The Moscow subway system built in the 1930’s, is still the most reliable inexpensive form of transportation in this area. In other areas, buses are the main form of public transportation.
Country of Focus
Ukraine During the 10th and 11th centuries, Ukraine was the largest and most powerful state in Europe. During the mid-17th century a new Ukrainian state was established – Cossack Hetmanate. The Russian Empire took Ukraine over in the 18th century. In 1920 the Soviet took over, and soon later forced two famines (1921-1922 and 1932-1933) Nearly 8 million people died, and then soon later another 7 – 8 million deaths were blamed on German and Soviet armies during World War II. Independence was finally achieved in 1991, with dissolution of the Soviet Union. Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe bordering the Black Sea between Poland, Romania, and Moldova in the west, and Russia in the east. The land mass is 603,550 sq. km, comparably Ukraine is slightly smaller than Texas. The life expectancy for men is 63 and women 75.
- geographicguide.net
Health Care Practices
The Soviet Union originally set up the “right to free medical services”. This did not get interfered with during independence, and still stands this way today. Although some residence receives primary health care through their work, most are covered under the medical services provided. Those working for law enforcement, the railway, government receive “special services.” In 2006, the government approved more spending on health care to improve the region’s health conditions. The budget varies in different locations, and in turn, so does the health of the citizens in those areas.
The services depend on the size of population in each area.
“Rural Health Posts” – Basic health checks In rural areas they can perform routine exams, immunizations, and minor injuries
"Health Centers" – Primary care services. This facility can perform minor surgeries. They employ a Pediatrician, Therapist, and a Midwife. A team of nurses may also be on staff.
"Urban Polyclinics" – General practice This facility can run screening tests and treat for chronic illnesses. They practice Cardiology, Oncology and Obstetrics, other specialties may also be present.
"Special Focus Polyclinics" – Pediatricians This facility cares for children up to age of 19.
Country Studies. (2008). RussianTransportation. Retrieved from http://countrystudies.us/russia/65.htm
European Plain. (2011). In Britannica Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/196332/European-Plain
FAS. (2011). The Environmental Outlook on Russia. Retrived from http://www.fas.org/Irp/nic/environmental_outlook_russia.htm
Pulsipher, L. M. & Pulsipher, A. (2008). World Regional Geography: Global Patterns,Local Lives. (4th ed.) New York, NY: W. H. Freeman and Company.
Religion in Russia. (2010). The Embassy of the Russian Federation in The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Retrieved from http://www.rusemb.org.uk/religion/
The Russian Forests.(2010). Greenpeace. Retrieved from http:// archive.greenpeace. org/comms/cbio/Russia.htm.
The Ural Mountains. (2011). In Britannica Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/619028/Ural-Mountains