Physical Geography
Russia is the largest country in the world in ___.
area
What railroad links Russia's European and Pacific ports?
Trans-Siberian Railway
What is the layer of soil beneath the surface that remains frozen throughout the year?
permafrost
What title refers to the rulers of Russia from 1547 to 1917?
czar (or tsar)
Despite the best attempts of Gorbachev to improve life for Russians in the Soviet Union, what did most people desire?
freedom
Who created the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics?
Lenin
What is the dominant religion in Russia?
Russian Orthodox
Which Russian river is the longest river in Europe?
Volga River
What is the rich black soil in Russia called?
chernozem
Moscow is ___ than most capitals in Europe because its distance from the ocean prevents the moderating influence that oceans generally provide.
colder
Who was the Russian ruler who was responsible for reforms that led eventually to the fall of the Soviet Empire?
Gorbachev
What was another name for Russia and its satellite states during the period of Communist rule?
Soviet Union
What are Russia's 21 self-governing areas where most of the population, power, and status reside?
autonomous republics
Most modern Russians are descendants of which people group?
What lake was formed by tectonic activity in Russia where tectonic plates are slowly separating, has no ocean access, and remains frozen from January to May?
Lake Baikal
Most Russians live around what two cities?
Moscow and St. Petersburg
harsh climates, natural barriers, remote locations
Who increased his presidential power and began centralizing Russian government?
Putin
What does "glasnot" mean?
openness
Who was Yeltsin's successor?
Putin
(European Russia or Asian Russia) is sparsely populated and has few large population centers.
Asian Russia
What mountain range divides European Russia from Asian Russia?
Ural Mountains
What is Russia's greatest obstacle?
Soviet past
What name describes the longest continuous forest on earth?
taiga
Who was the leader of the Russian Revolution of 1917?
Lenin
Federal Assembly
oblast
What is name of the highest mountain in Russia?
Mount Elbrus
What are the 10 large, sparsely populated areas in northern Russia called?
okrug
Who formed the CIS to retain economic ties among former Soviet states?
Yeltsin
What is the restructuring of the Soviet system that weakened communism in Russia?
What are the six territories that are governed by Moscow called?
krais