Study Notes: Russia - Geography, Ethnicity, and History

Russia: Geographic, Ethnic, and Historical Overview

Key Geographic Features

• Size and Location:
  • Russia is the world's largest country, covering 1/8 of the Earth's land area.
  • It spans eleven time zones from Saint Petersburg to Vladivostok.
• Physical Geography:
  • Borders the Arctic Ocean (north), Pacific Ocean (east), and Black and Caspian Seas (south).
  • The Ural Mountains are traditionally considered the separation between Europe and Asia.
• Major Water Bodies:
  • Volga River: the longest river in Europe.
  • Lake Baikal: the world's deepest and largest freshwater lake.
• Climate and Biomes:
  • Experiences Type D (continental) climates: hot summers and cold winters.
  • Short growing season necessitating grain imports.
  • Features tundras, steppes, mountains, and birch forests.
  • Northern regions bordering the Arctic Ocean have extreme cold and permafrost.

Climate and Biomes

• Tundra and Taiga:
  • Northern regions are dominated by tundra (cold temperatures, permafrost).
  • Taiga features coniferous forests.
• Agricultural Challenges:
  • Much of Russia's land is unsuitable for agriculture due to extreme cold and short growing seasons.

Settlement and Development Challenges

• Population Distribution:
  • Most of Russia's population lives west of the Ural Mountains where the climate is more temperate.
  • High urbanization, with major cities like Moscow.
• Cold Climate Impact:
  • The cold climate restricts human settlement and industrial development.
  • Siberia is sparsely populated despite its vast area.

Historical Context

• Expansion of Moscow:
  • The Grand Duchy of Moscow expanded significantly from the 13th century.
• Russian Empire Growth:
  • Expanded from Moscow/St. Petersburg from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
  • Acquired territories like Ukraine and Alaska.
• Czarist Policies:
  • Employed Russification to minimize cultural differences, though largely ineffective.
• Soviet Union Formation:
  • Following the Bolshevik Revolution, the USSR was established.
  • Significant changes in governance and territorial control.

Soviet Union Era

• Formation of the USSR:
  • The Russian Empire transitioned into the USSR after the Bolshevik Revolution.
  • Ethnic groups were organized into Soviet Socialist Republics.
• Economic Policies:
  • Implemented a command economy with state-controlled production and collectivized agriculture.
  • Led to widespread famine and economic inefficiencies.

Economic Development in the Soviet Union

• Communist Economic System:
  • The Soviet government controlled all means of production.
  • Led to inefficiencies and widespread famine during collectivization.
• Five-Year Plans:
  • Aimed to accelerate industrialization but often resulted in inefficiencies due to lack of flexibility.

Cultural and Ethnic Diversity

• Ethnic Composition:
  • Russia is home to 185 ethnic groups, with significant minorities like Tatars and Ukrainians.
  • Historical policies like Russification and Sovietization have impacted ethnic identities.
• Current Ethnic Tensions:
  • Ethnic groups in regions like Chechnya and Dagestan have sought independence.
  • Ongoing tensions.

Modern Russian Landscape

• Post-Soviet Transition:
  • After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia transitioned to a market economy.
  • Led to the rise of oligarchs and significant economic changes.
• Current Challenges:
  • Russia faces ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly with Western nations.
  • Issues related to political dissent and human rights.

Environmental Issues

• Pollution:
  • Industrial activities have led to severe water and air pollution.
  • Affecting major water bodies like Lake Baikal and the Caspian Sea.
• Resource Exploitation:
  • The extraction of natural resources has caused significant environmental damage.
  • Includes oil spills and nuclear waste contamination in Arctic waters.

Key Takeaways

• Demographics:
  • The majority of Russia's population resides in the smaller European region.
  • The larger Asian side remains sparsely populated.
• Post-Soviet Transition:
  • The collapse of the USSR in 1991 led to the independence of several republics.
  • Significant political and economic turmoil in Russia.

Discussion Questions

1. What geographical feature separates European and Asian Russia?
2. How did the Russian Empire manage its diverse population?
3. What were the consequences of the Soviet Union's policies on ethnic identities?
4. What major environmental challenges does Russia face today?