Y9 Geography topic 1: Russia

What are the five main climatic zones of Russia?

Humid subtropical, humid continental, semiarid, tundra, and subarctic.

What defines a semiarid climate zone?

A region experiencing hot, dry summers, cold winters, and a sparsity of precipitation.

Where are Russia’s semiarid climate zones?

To the South East, bordering countries such as Kazakhstan and Georgia (South).

What defines a humid subtropical climatic zone?

A region experiencing warm, humid summers and mild winters.

Where are Russia’s humid subtropical climatic zones located?

Around where it borders Georgia (Southwest).

What defines a humid continental climate zone?

Cold to very cold winters, warm/hot, humid summers.

Where are Russia’s humid continental climatic zones located?

Majorly across the West and dipping into the mainland; in a small area off to the Southeast beside North Korea.

What defines a subarctic climatic zone?

Extremely cold, prolonged winters, short and cool summers, and temperatures dropping nearly as low as -40 degrees Celsius.

Where are Russia’s tundra climatic zones located?

Across the North and in a little Eastern patch.

What are the characteristics of a tundra climatic zone?

Long, freezing winters, permafrost, tiny amounts of flora and fauna

What is permafrost?

Ground that has been frozen for 2 or more consecutive years.

What are Russia’s four biomes?

Taiga, Steppe, Deciduous forest, and Tundra

What are the characteristics of Russia’s taiga biome?

• It has northern, middle, and southern sub zones.

• The forests are coniferous

• Conditions are cold but not inhospitable.

• >2500 species of flowering plant

• Largest biome in Russia.

• 21% of global tree cover.

What are the characteristics of Russia’s steppe biome?

• Moisture deficit

• Warmer

• Brutally cold in winter (-40 degrees Celsius)

• Highly variable snowfall

• No trees

• Drought, fire, and cold resistance

• Grasses

What are the characteristics of Russia’s deciduous forest biome?

• Warmer and wetter climate

• Some species of reptiles can survive

• Both coniferous and deciduous forests; coniferous dominate

• Biodiverse

What are the characteristics of Russia’s tundra biome?

• <300mm precipitation

• Permafrost

• Soggy summer due to lack of evaporation

• Not very biodiverse

• Winter and summer are the only defined seasons.

What is the difference between immigration and emigration?

Immigration = Coming in

Emigration = Going out

Migration = Ambiguous

What is the population of Russia?

144.2 million

How much of Russia lives in a urban area?

74 percent

What are Russia’s pull factors as a country?

• Free healthcare for citizens, good standard of health

• Many historical landmarks

• Moscow is accommodating to English speakers and offers many jobs

• Russia has a high standard of education

• Varied climate

What are Russia’s push factors?

• War

• Cities are crowded

• Some human rights laws have been overruled

• Justice issues; widespread torture

• 12.1 doctors per 10,000 rural people

• Hate crimes, homophobia, racism

• Limited free speech

• Pollution

What are some positive effects of Russia’s scale?

• Diverse landscapes

• Multicultural

• Natural buffer against potential invasion

• Resource opportunities

• Russia is pivotal in global affairs due to spanning two continents

• Decent GDP

• Massive presence of natural resources (oil, natural gases, ores, etc)

What are some negative effects of Russia’s scale?

• Lack of infrastructure distribution

• Geopolitical tensions

• Unevenly-distributed population

• Remote areas lack infrastructure other areas consider rudimentary

26/9/25