Russia Today

Brittany YanofEDTC 3771

MWF 11-11:50amWorld Geography (9th-10th grade)

Due Oct. 5, 2012

Map of Russia

Identify Key Elements on the map There will be a quiz at the end of the week

Questions to consider Key Facts about Russia The Face of Russia East vs. West

Urban vs. Rural Unpredictable Weather Worsens The Melting Away of the Artic Class Presentation

What’s making news in Russia today? Credits

Table of Contents

Map of Russia

Casp

ian

Sea

Lake Baikal

Moscow

Artic Ocean

Volga River Ob’

River

Yenisey River Lena River

Ural

Moun

tains

Questions to ConsiderAs we explore Russia, there are many questions to keep in the back of your mind. We will discuss the answers collectively in class.1. Most of the northern coast of Russia lies above the Artic

Circle. If 2/3 of the country is surrounded by water (frozen nearly all year)—how might climate changes effect the landscape? The economy?

2. Explain the differences between Eastern Russia and Western Russia.

3. Given the expanse of the globe that Russia covers, should they have a more centralized capital? Why or Why not?

Russia is unique in many perspectives. “Curving around the north pole in a huge arc, Russia (the Russian Federation) spans almost half the globe from east to west and about 4,000 kilometers from north to south. Divided into eleven time zones, Russia is by far the world's largest country”¹.

1. Butler, Rhett A. Russia—Geography. (n.d.). The Library of Congress. Retrieved from http://www.mongabay.com/reference/country_studies/russia/GEOGRAPHY.html2. Ibid.

Russia includes all the major vegetation zones in the world, except for a tropical rain forest.• 10% is tundra: Known for long, severe winters with several days of darkness. This area

is home to less than 1% of Russia’s population.• The taiga: The world’s largest forest region. The northeastern portion has long, severe

winters with the inhabited world’s coldest temperatures. About 33% of Russia’s population live in the southeastern part of these forests.

• The steppe: Found in Eastern Russia, extending southward between the Black and Caspian seas. Offers the most favorable conditions for human settlement and agriculture; however, the growing season is still short and unpredictable.

• Mountain Ranges: There are nine mountain ranges throughout Russia. “In general, the eastern half of the country is much more mountainous than the western half, the interior of which is dominated by low plains.”²

• Plains and Plateaus: The West Siberian Plain consists of some of the world’s largest swamps and floodplains.

The Face of Russia?

Russia

East Divided by Ural

Mountains

West

Mostly Urban Mostly Rural or

Uninhabited

More mountainous than the west. Land more

suitable for agriculture. Home to 75% of Russia’s population. Contains the

capital city of Moscow. Holds a majority of Russia’s

GDP.

Low lying plains and fewer mountains than in the east

leaves very little protection from the Artic winds. With only 25% of Russia’s population, village

economies are collapsing as an increasing number of the young, working class move to the cities. Nomadic families face issues with sustaining their lifestyle in

future generations as well.

Unpredictable Weather Worsens

The video “We are facing global climate anomaly—Meteorologist” examines many of the problems now being faced in Russia (and around the world) due to increasingly common extreme weather conditions.

The melting away of the Artic

Consider the photo to the left from 2007, as well as, the following video depiction of the effects an Artic storm had on the sea ice in August 2012 provided by NASA.

The ice in the Artic hasn’t always melted enough to allow safe passage along these routes. The effects of global warming in recent years has allowed these passages to more consistently open in the summer months. Some consider the opening of these passages to increase the economies of countries that border the Artic Sea. Do you agree? Who should control trade regulations on these passages? What other negative/positive outcomes might you expect to see as a result of these passages opening up?

The class will be divided into groups. Each group is to find an article about Russia to present to the class. The article can consider various aspects of the economy, government, culture, etc. found in Russia. Each presentation should include a map of the area in which their article pertains. (The blank map for the quiz can be used as long as the area is clearly labeled that your group is discussing.)

For example, if I were to find an article involving the “new wealth” in Moscow, I should present the article to the class, along with a general summation of how it pertains to our discussion and show where on the map Moscow is located. Questions to consider might include whether or not Moscow is a fair representation of Russia as a whole? Why or why not?

Group Presentation

CreditsButler, Rhett A. (2012). Mongabay.com. “Russia—Geography”. Retrieved from http://www.mongabay.com/reference/country_studies/russia/GEOGRAPHY.html

Feifer, Gregory. (April 6th, 2007). “Rural Russia Left Barren by Economic Exodus”. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?StoryId=9243522.

Lavrillier, Alexandra. (2006 Rolex Award Laureate). Establish a Travelling School: “How Do Young Siberian Nomads Follow Russia’s School Curriculm”. Retrieved from http://www.rolexawards.com/profiles/ laureates/alexandra_lavrillier.

N. A. (Sept. 4, 2012). “Discovering the Surprisingly Modern Side of Moscow”. JustLuxe: Affluent Lifestyle Guide. Retrieved from http://www.justluxe.com/travel/luxury-vacations/feature-1819754.php.

Photo Credits:Northwest Passage. (Aug. 22, 2007). Modified from NASA’s Earth Observatory and NSIDC. http://www. wunderground.com/climate/NorthernPassages.asp.

Russia: boundaries, hydrography. D-Maps.com: free maps. Retrieved from http://d-maps.com/carte.php?lib= russia_map&num_car=2580&lang=en.

Collage Photo Credits:Reindeer in Siberia. (2003). Modified from “Yar Sale Reindeer, Siberia, Russia, 1996”. National Geographic Society. Retrieved from http://www.uploadimages4free.com/browse_images/yar_sale_reindeer_siberia _russia_1996-3830.html.

Credits (continued)Various city landscapes modified from “Discovering the Suprisingly Modern Side of Moscow”. JustLuxe: Affluent Lifestyle Guide. Retrieved from http://www.justluxe.com/travel/luxury-vacations/feature- 1819754.php.

Village. (April 6, 2007). Modified from Feifer, Gregory. “Rural Russia Left Barren by Economic Exodus”. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?StoryId=9243522.

Video Credits:Lavrillier, Alexandra. (2006 Rolex Award Laureate). Establish a Travelling School: “How Do Young Siberian Nomads Follow Russia’s School Curriculm”. Retrieved from http://www.rolexawards.com/profiles/ laureates/alexandra_lavrillier.

NASA. (Sept. 19th, 2012). “Artic Cyclone Breaks Up Sea Ice”. Retrieved from http://www.nasa.gov/ multimedia.videogallery/index.html?media_id=152489941.

RT—Question More. (Aug. 24th, 2010). “We are Facing Global Climate Anomaly—Meteorologist”. Retrieved from http://rt.com/new/global-climat-anomaly-meteorologist.