Russia and Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe

Characterized by several mountain ranges extending from the Swiss Alps and lowlands with karst topography.

Karst

Landscape underlain by limestone which has been eroded by dissolution.

Balkan Mountains

Mountains that make traveling overland difficult and create a climate barrier, increasing the importance of waterways.

Danube River

The second longest river in Europe, crucial for transportation and empties into the Black Sea.

Chernobyl Incident

A nuclear disaster on April 26, 1986, that released radioactive dust into the environment and affected millions.

Caspian Sea

The world's largest inland sea, which is technically a saltwater lake without an outlet to the ocean.

Black Sea

The only warm water sea found in Russia and a gateway between Europe and Asia.

Volga River

Longest river in Europe, crucial for trade and communication, nicknamed 'Mother Volga'.

Siberia

Region characterized by a harsh climate and rugged terrain, rich in natural resources.

Perestroika

Economic reform introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev aimed at restructuring the Soviet economy.

Glasnost

Political reform designed to encourage openness and citizen participation in the government.

Russification

The policy of forcing everyone to speak Russian and convert to Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

The Great Purge

A brutal political campaign led by Stalin that eliminated perceived threats within the Communist Party.

Genocide

The deliberate mass killing of a large group of people.

Balkanization

When a country breaks into smaller countries that are mutually hostile.

Tundra

Flat, treeless plains covering 10% of Russia, located near the Arctic Ocean.

Chernozem

Highly fertile, dark-colored soil (black earth) primarily found in the North European Plains.

Satellite Nations

Countries that are politically and economically dominated or controlled by another country.

Amber

Also known as 'Baltic Gold,' a significant natural resource found in Eastern Europe.

The Cold War

The symbolic and political conflict between the USSR and the United States following World War II.

Joseph Stalin

Leader of the USSR known for his totalitarian regime, mass purges, and expansion of the state's control.

Natural Resources of Russia

Includes gold, nickel, oil, natural gas, and one-fifth of the world's timber supply.

Lake Baikal

World's oldest and deepest freshwater lake, holding one-fifth of the Earth's freshwater.

Communism in Russia

A system where the government controls the economy, leading to a lack of personal freedoms.

Trans-Siberian Railroad

Railroad that extends from Moscow to Vladivostok, facilitating transportation and resource extraction.

Modern Day Government of Russia

Semi-presidential republic with Vladimir Putin as the current president.