The Russian Domain Read the corresponding book chapter(s) and review the Module resources in preparation for the final exam.
Introduction and Overview: region undergoing significant change; globalization shaping region in complex ways; Slavic Russia dominates region; collapse of communism and move toward free-market; considerable economic variation in region; emerging influence of oligarchs in Russia--small groups of wealthy, private businessmen to control parts of economy; continued influence of Russia on neighboring states.
Summary Huge environmental challenges remain for the Russian domain. The legacy of the Soviet era includes polluted rivers and coastlines, poor urban air quality, and a frightening array of toxic waste and nuclear hazards. Declining and aging populations are a sobering reality for much of the region. While some urban areas enjoy modest growth, mostly related to immigration and domestic in-migration, many rural areas and less competitive industrial zones may see continued outflows of people and very low birthrates. The Russian domain's cultural geography was formed centuries ago from the complex mix of Slavic languages, Orthodox Christianity, and numerous ethnic minorities that still complicate the scene today Further changing the region are new global influences- -products, technologies, and attitudes that sometimes clash with traditional cultural values. Much of the region's political legacy is rooted in the colonial expansion of the Russian Empire after 1600, and then in the Soviet Union, which expanded its influence in the 20th century. Since 2000, Russian President Vladimir Putin has centralized political power and reasserted Russia's geopolitical presence in the region and around the world. The Russian domain's future economic success remains uncertain, related both to the unpredictable energy economy (especially in the case of Russia) and to ongoing political instability that has harmed economic growth and reduced global investment.
REVIEW QUESTIONS Environmental Issues: Compare the climate, vegetation, and agricultural conditions of Russia's European West with those of Siberia and the Russian Far East. In the European West there are three sub-zones. In the northern portion, agriculture is limited and the vegetation is dominated by forests. Throughout Belarus central portions of European Russia, there are longer growing seasons, but soils are more acidic. To the south, the best agricultural regions are found; here, also, the natural landscape is dominated by grasslands and forests. Siberia's climate is very severe; consequently, vegetation and agriculture reflect these conditions. Northern Siberia is too cold for tree growth and is thus dominated by tundra vegetation; it is also dominated by permafrost. South of the tundra Siberia is dominated by taiga, or coniferous forests. The Russian Far East has a more southerly location and is proximate to the Pacific Ocean; consequently, it has a relatively milder climate and longer growing seasons. Its vegetation pattern is a mix of conifers and hardwoods Describe the high environmental costs of industrialization within the Russian domain and cite a recent effort to address some of these problems. Decades of unregulated industrialization has led to extensive deforestation (especially in the boreal forests of European Russia), considerable pollution of the region's waterways and lakes; and substantia