Chapter 6 Flashcards
What is the largest country in area?
Russia
Russia is the largest country by land area but has a comparatively small population.
What is the approximate population of Russia?
140 million
Despite its large area, Russia has a relatively small population compared to its size.
Where is Siberia’s population primarily concentrated?
Siberia is sparsely populated and clings to the south
Most of Siberia’s population is found in the southern regions.
In Central Asia, where is the population mainly concentrated?
Along water supplies
The population distribution in Central Asia is heavily influenced by the availability of water.
What type of geographic realm is Russia considered?
Monocentric realm
Although it is monocentric, Russia is multicultural and faces issues with restless minorities.
What are some of the challenges Russia faces regarding its ports?
Few ports and locational disadvantages
Russia’s vast geography results in a lack of access to warm water ports.
What is the overall climate of Russia?
Cold and dry
The climate significantly affects the living conditions and economic activities in the region.
What geographical feature separates the warm south from the cold north in Russia?
Mountains
The mountainous regions play a crucial role in the climatic differences within Russia.
Where is development primarily concentrated in Russia?
West of the Urals
The western part of Russia is more developed compared to the eastern regions.
How many total time zones does Russia have?
11 total time zones
How does the area of Russia compare to the United States?
Nearly twice the area of the US
What fraction of Russia’s territory is occupied by Siberia?
2/3 of Russia’s territory
What is the Russian Plain?
An eastward continuation of the North European Plain
What is significant about the North European Plain?
It is the world’s largest unbroken lowland
Where does the Volga River flow?
Flows to the Caspian Sea
What direction do major rivers in Russia typically flow?
Northward
Why is the northward flow of major rivers a problem?
_______
What are the main factors affecting the Russian climate?
Too far north, center of large land mass, mountains block out warm southern air.
These factors contribute to the overall cold climate experienced in Russia.
What are the characteristic features of tundra?
Cold temperatures, short growing seasons, low biodiversity.
Tundra is characterized by its unique vegetation and harsh climate.
What are the characteristic features of taiga?
Coniferous forests, long winters, and short summers.
Taiga is also known as boreal forest and is found in subarctic regions.
What is permafrost?
Ground that remains completely frozen for two or more consecutive years.
Permafrost can create challenges for construction and infrastructure development.
What problems are associated with settling on permafrost?
Ground instability, potential for buildings to shift or collapse.
The melting of permafrost can also release greenhouse gases.
What is the Northern Sea Route?
A shipping route that may remain open year-round due to the long-term melting of Arctic Ocean ice cover.
This route could significantly affect global shipping and trade.
Which ecologies could be threatened by global climate change?
Tundra, taiga, polar regions.
These ecologies are particularly sensitive to temperature changes.
What animals may be threatened by warming conditions?
Polar bears, Arctic foxes, migratory birds.
These animals depend on cold habitats that are shrinking due to climate change.
What indigenous traditions could be threatened by climate change?
Traditional hunting, fishing, and herding practices.
Indigenous communities are often closely tied to their natural environments.
What is imperialism?
A policy of extending a country’s power and influence through colonization, military force, or other means.
Imperialism often involves the domination of one nation over another, leading to the establishment of empires.
Why create the Russian Empire?
To expand territory, increase power, and access resources.
The Russian Empire sought to spread its influence across Europe and Asia.
What were the Russians seeking through imperialism?
Territorial expansion, economic resources, and political power.
This pursuit was driven by a desire to compete with other European powers.
Who were the Soviet leaders during World War II?
Joseph Stalin was the leader of the USSR during WWII.
Stalin’s leadership was marked by significant military and political decisions that shaped the war’s outcome.
Who were the Nazi leaders during World War II?
Adolf Hitler led Nazi Germany during WWII.
Hitler’s aggressive expansionist policies initiated the war in Europe.
How did the Soviets russify minorities?
By promoting the Russian language and culture while suppressing minority languages and customs.
Russification aimed to create a unified Soviet identity.
Why did the USSR break up?
Due to economic struggles, nationalist movements, and political reforms.
The dissolution was formalized in December 1991, leading to the independence of several republics.
Who are the people of Russia?
A diverse mix of ethnic groups, including Russians, Tatars, Ukrainians, Bashkirs, and others.
Russia is home to over 190 ethnic groups.
What are the demographics of the old USSR?
A multi-ethnic state with over 100 nationalities, varied languages, and religions.
The USSR had a complex demographic structure, reflecting its vast territory.
Fill in the blank: The Russian Empire sought to expand its _______.
[territory]
Expansion was often motivated by a desire for power and resources.
What major trade routes did Muscovy establish in the 1300s?
Trades from Baltic to Black Sea
This period marked the beginning of significant economic and political ties for Muscovy.
Who transformed Russia into a major military power and imperial state in the 16th Century?
Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible)
Ivan IV’s reign marked the centralization of power and expansion of territory.
What was Peter the Great’s primary goal during his reign from 1682 to 1725?
To make a modern European-style state
He is known for his extensive reforms in government, military, and culture.
What city did Peter the Great build as a forward capital?
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg was intended to open Russia to the West.
Which empress pushed Russia’s borders to the Black Sea and expanded into Alaska?
Catherine the Great
Her reign was marked by territorial expansion and the consolidation of power.
What type of empire did Russia build by annexing many cultures?
Multinational Empire
This included more than 100 nationalities and diverse cultures.
What significant political change occurred in Russia in 1917?
The Revolution of 1917
This led to the establishment of the Soviet Union.
Who is considered the founder of the Soviet Union?
Vladimir Lenin
Lenin played a crucial role in the Bolshevik Revolution and the formation of the USSR.
How many Soviet Socialist Republics (SSRs) was the USSR divided into?
15 SSRs
Each SSR broadly corresponded to a major nationality’s territory.
What led to the decline in agriculture in the Soviet Union?
Failure of collectivization
Collectivization aimed to consolidate individual landholdings and labor into collective farms, which ultimately resulted in decreased agricultural productivity.
What contributed to the decline in industry in the Soviet Union?
Failure of command economy
The command economy was characterized by state control over production and distribution, which led to inefficiencies and stagnation.
What significant event occurred in the 1980s that eroded the Communist Party’s power?
Afghanistan War
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 drained resources and morale, leading to increased dissent within the Communist Party.
What was born from the dismemberment of the Soviet Union in 1991?
Russian Federation
The Russian Federation emerged as a successor state to the Soviet Union after its collapse.
Who has ruled the Russian Federation since 2000?
Vladimir Putin
Putin has been a dominant figure in Russian politics, serving as both President and Prime Minister.
What is the current cultural and linguistic composition of Russia?
Complex cultural/linguistic mosaic
Russia is home to over 30 major ethnic groups and more than 100 languages.
How many official religions are recognized in Russia today?
4 official religions
This includes major faiths such as Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism.
Fill in the blank: The decline in agriculture was due to the failure of _______.
collectivization
True or False: The Russian Federation is a true federation.
It is debated
While it is called a federation, the central government holds significant power over regional authorities.
What is the term used to describe the former Eastern Europe and Soviet republics that Russia considers its sphere of influence?
Near Abroad
Russia reserves the right to intervene in these countries.
What role does the Energy Card play in the geopolitics of Russia and Central Asia?
Dependency on Russian energy is critical in geopolitics.
Russia frequently leverages its energy resources to influence neighboring countries.
What is the concept that describes the impact of distance on relationships between the capital and outlying areas?
Distance decay
Distance decay suggests that the interaction between two locations decreases as the distance between them increases.
What is the population of Moscow, the megacity hub of Russia?
Approximately 13 million inhabitants
Moscow is the central point where all roads and railroads converge.
What is the total population of the Central Industrial Region focused on Moscow?
30 million
This population is more than one-fifth of Russia’s total population.
Fill in the blank: Russia reserves the right to intervene in the _______.
Near Abroad
The Near Abroad includes former Eastern Europe and Soviet republics.
True or False: Moscow is the only city in Russia with significant population density.
False
While Moscow is a megacity, other regions also have significant populations.
What geographic feature is central to the infrastructure of Russia, with all roads and railroads converging there?
Moscow
This centrality enhances Moscow’s importance in the region.
Who battled for control of Transcaucasia historically?
Various powers, particularly Russia and the Ottoman Empire
The region has been a focal point of conflict due to its strategic location and resources.
What is a significant contemporary issue in Transcaucasia?
Intense ethnic nationalism and separatism
These issues have led to conflicts and tensions among various ethnic groups in the region.
What did Russia (later Soviets) want in Transcaucasia?
Control over the region’s resources and strategic position
The area’s geopolitical importance has made it a target for control by various powers throughout history.
How will Baku oil be exported?
Through pipelines to different markets
Baku is a significant oil-producing city, and its oil export routes are crucial for economic reasons.
Who are considered close cousins south of the Azeris?
Iranians
The cultural and ethnic ties between Azeris and Iranians contribute to the complexity of regional dynamics.
What is the size comparison of Siberia to the continental U.S.?
Siberia is larger than the continental U.S.
Siberia has a population of less than 40 million people.
What is a significant development problem in Siberia?
Continentality
Continentality refers to the climatic effects of being far from oceans, leading to extreme temperature variations.
What is the age of Lake Baikal?
Approximately 25 million years old
Lake Baikal is the world’s oldest and deepest freshwater lake.
How was Lake Baikal formed?
Through tectonic activity
It is a rift lake formed by the movement of tectonic plates.
How does the area and volume of Lake Baikal compare to Lake Superior?
Lake Baikal has a greater volume but a smaller surface area than Lake Superior
Baikal is the deepest lake in the world and contains about 20% of the world’s unfrozen freshwater.
Why was the Trans-Siberian Railroad built?
To connect the eastern and western parts of Russia and facilitate economic development
It was crucial for the movement of goods and people across the vast distances of Siberia.
What type of housing is still prevalent in Siberia?
Soviet-era housing
Many residents still live in cramped conditions due to the legacy of Soviet urban planning.
Why did the Soviets move their planned economy east during World War II?
To protect industrial resources from potential invasion
This strategy involved relocating factories and resources to the east.
What are the external challenges faced by Russia?
Many minorities in former Soviet Republics
This includes various ethnic groups that may seek autonomy or independence.
Why did Russia invade Islamic Chechnya?
To assert control and combat separatist movements
Chechnya has a history of conflict with Russia, particularly over issues of independence and Islamic governance.
What is President Putin’s stance on national pride?
He is determined to remain the champion of Slavic interests
This reflects a broader agenda of promoting Russian nationalism and influence.
What pieces of Russian territory do the Japanese want returned to them?
The Kuril Islands
This territorial dispute has been a point of contention between Russia and Japan since World War II.
What is the significance of Central Asia in relation to China’s New Silk Road plans?
Central Asia contains large deposits of oil and natural gas, playing a pivotal role in China’s New Silk Road plans.
The New Silk Road, also known as the Belt and Road Initiative, aims to enhance trade and infrastructure connectivity across Asia and beyond.
What are the key cultural influences in Central Asia?
Turkic cultural influences and a re-awakening of Islamic heritage
These influences contribute to the rich cultural tapestry and historical significance of the region.
What characterizes the ethnic composition of Central Asia?
Enormous ethnic complexity and diversity
Central Asia is home to various ethnic groups, contributing to its cultural richness.
Which nation is now the dominant country in Central Asia?
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s dominance has been primarily established through its oil and gas industry.
Kazakhstan is primarily associated with which industries?
Oil and gas industry
This industry is crucial for the economy and geopolitical influence of Kazakhstan in Central Asia.
