Introduction to Northern Eurasia

Introduction to Northern EurasiaNorthern Eurasia is made up of those countries that were once part of the Soviet Union

Areal names of the Former Soviet UnionCzarist (Tsarist) Russia/ImperialRussia/Russian EmpireSoviet Union or USSRCommonwealth of Independent States (CIS)Russia and the Near AbroadRegions-European Russia, Asiatic Russia, Transcaucasus, Siberia, The Baltic States, Central Asia

RegionsEuropean RussiaCentral Asian RepublicsCaucasus SiberiaBaltic StatesBelarus, Moldova, Ukraine

General Pattern of LandformsPlains in the WestMountains andhighlands in the EastVaries to the South

Major Physical Attributes:Large size

Major Physical Attributes:Northern Location

Major Physical Attributes:Restricted access to worlds seas

Major Physical Attributes:Several large lakes and inland seas

ClimateHarsh in the north and in SiberiaHumid continental in EuropeArid/semiarid in Central Asia

Four broad vegetation zonesTundraForest/taigaGrasslandDesert

The physical geography of N. Eurasia has influenced its historyWestern border links to Western ideas (language, culture, religion)Huge border is difficult to protect.Large land area and climate make it difficult to conquer Many different ethnic groups widely dispersedLarge area is difficult to administerDesire to gain and protect warm water portsVast natural resources, but difficult to exploit.

Many ethnic groups with different languages and religions

The core area and most of the population is located in the west--the European part of N. Eurasia

Period of Communist control lasted from 1917 to 19911917 Bolshevik Revolution overthrew Czar Nicholas II.

Many challenges are being faced as this realm transitions away from communism.Economic problems--high unemployment, poor economic decisions, inefficient and outdated industriesSocial problems--ethnic clashes, loss of communist safety net, organized crime

Environmental degradation is one legacy of communism Aral Sea at 10% capacity

Environmental degradation is one legacy of communism Aral Sea at 10% capacity

Environmental degradation is one legacy of communism Aral Sea

Environmental degradation is one legacy of communism

Environmental degradation is one legacy of communism

Environmental degradation is one legacy of communism Toxic waste

Sign warns of a radioactive river.22Environmental degradation is one legacy of communism Industrial pollution

Contributions from this realm;Peter TchaikovskiDostoyevskyLeo TolstoyMikhail BaryshnikovMarc ChagallDmitry MendeleyevIgor StravinskyIvan PavlovSergei ProkofievYuri Gagarian