Physical Geography
History and Culture
Russia Today
The Caucasus
Anything Goes
100
True or False? Russia is almost twice as small as the United States.
False - Russia is almost twice as big as the United States.
100
Ivan the IV was such a cruel and savage ruler when he was czar that he became known as what?
Ivan the Terrible
100
What type of government does Russia have today? How does it differ from the type of government that was in place with the Soviet Union?
Today Russia is a federal republic, which means it is a government in which voters have the opportunity to elect a president from the political party of their choice. Voices are now heard. The government no longer controls every aspect of life.
100
The Russians took over control much of the Caucasus in what year? Which countries are part of the Caucasus?
early 1800s; Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan
100
This is Russia's capital.
Moscow
200
How many seas does Russia border, and what are their names?
Seven - Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, Bering Sea, Barents Sea, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea
200
Who was the radical Russian Communist group who seized power during the Russian Revolution?
The Bolsheviks.
200
The change to democracy has been a difficult and slow process in Russia, due to such problems as government corruption. How would you solve such problems so that the change over to democracy could be a much quicker and simpler process?
Your answer should be well thought out.
200
What do you think would have happened had the Soviet Union not fallen and Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan were still under Soviet Union control? What might their lifestyles be like?
Your answer needs to be well thought out.
200
This river is the longest river in Europe. What river is it?
The Volga River
300
Where do the continents of Europe and Asia meet? Together Europe and Asia form a large landmass known as what?
Ural Mountains; Eurasia
300
There was a period of tense rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States, that was marked by an arms race between the two countries. What was this period called? What caused this period of tense rivalry to begin?
The Cold War; The United States opposed communism while Stalin was setting up his Communist governments. The U.S. felt that the spread of communism would threaten democracy.
300
Russia is moving towards a market economy. What would be the pros and cons of a market economy in Russia?
Pros = Businesses and farms are privately owned, light industries (clothing, electronics) have grown, service industries make up the largest part of Russia's economy, Russia is a major grower and exporter of grains in agriculture Cons = some businesses & industries may fail if there is a lack of financial help
300
How has the location affected the history and culture of the Caucasus area?
Many countries have ruled or invaded the region.
300
What kind of country did the Soviet Union become under Lenin and Stalin? (What type of government did they have?) If you lived in the Soviet Union during the time of Lenin and Stalin, how would you convince them to change their government?
Communist; Your answer should be well thought out. What sort of evidence would you use to back up your reasons for why Lenin and Stalin should change their government?
400
What is Siberia like? What sort of landforms are present in Siberia?
Siberia is known as an empty land of barren plains and flat, marshy areas with high mountain ranges running through the southern and eastern parts.
400
Who was the leader of Russia when it became a Communist country? Who was the leader during the fall of the Soviet Union? In what year did the Soviet Union break apart?
Vladimir Lenin; Mikhail Gorbachev; 1991
400
Name Russia's major culture regions, from west to east.
Moscow, St. Petersburg, Volga, Urals, Siberia, Russian Far East
400
Which Caucasus country has an economy based on oil? Name the pros and cons of having an economy based on oil.
Azerbaijan; Pros = strong economic growth, can provide more resources to others Cons = corruption is high and many people are poor
400
How can you compare the different economies of Russia's major culture regions?
Moscow's factories produce a wide variety of goods. This city is also known as a transportation center, providing transportation by plane, road, and rail. St. Petersburg is a major port and trade center due to its location on the Gulf of Finland. The Volga Region is known as major shipping route, for oil and gas refineries, as well as for black cavier. The Urals Region is known for its mining and smelters. Siberia's main industries are mining, lumber, and oil production. Rivers produce hydroelectric pwer. In the Russian Far East, factories process forest and mineral resources, and farming occurs in the valley. Islands off the coast provide oil, minerals, and commercial fishing.
500
What are Russia's main natural resources? What are some ways these natural resources might be used?
Russia's main natural resources are: fertile soil = farming forests = wood for building and paper products coal, natural gas, oil = heating, gas for vehicles copper, gold, and diamonds = provide useful raw materials
500
Although the Soviet government opposed religion and had closed many places of worship, today, Russia has reopened many of those places. What is Russia's main practice of faith? What do you think Russia might be like if the government today still opposed religion, and why?
Russian Orthodox Christian is Russia's main faith.
500
What are some of the challenges Russia faces today?
Russia's change over to a market economy has broadened the gap between the rich and the poor and prices and unemployment have risen. Not many people can afford good health care, therefore causing the population to decline. Pollution has seriously harmed the environment. Russia also faces ethnic conflicts. One example of this is in the Russian republic of Chechnya, where some people in this Muslim area want more independence.
500
What is the government body that is appointed to run each government of the Caucasus countries today?
An elected president governs each nation, while an appointed prime minister runs each government.
500
Indiana and Russia have certain industries, such as smelting, in common. What are some other industries that Indiana and Russia have in common?
agriculture, mining, manufacturing, technology industries, service industries
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