The Russian Domain
Population Map of the Russian Domain
(Fig. 9.12)
Physical Geography of the Russian Domain
(Fig. 9.2)
Growth of the Russian Empire
(Fig. 9.20)
Languages of the Russian Domain
(Fig. 9.22)
Soviet Geopolitical System
(Fig. 9.26)
Geopolitical Issues in the Russian Domain
(Fig. 9.27)
Climate Map of the Russian Domain
(Fig. 9.3)
Major Natural Resources and Industrial Zones
(Fig. 9.30)
Agricultural Regions
(Fig. 9.5)
Environmental Issues in the Russian Domain
(Fig. 9.9)
A Devastated Environment
- Air and Water Pollution • Extreme environmental pollution, from industrialization, urbanization, careless mining, nuclear energy production; legacy of U.S.S.R. • Air pollution caused by clustered factories, few environmental controls, reliance on low quality coal • Water pollution caused by industrial waste, raw sewage, oil spills; pulp and paper factories polluted Lake Baikal (1950s-60s) - The Nuclear Threat • Former U.S.S.R. nuclear weapons, energy production caused pollution - Above-ground testing made radioactive fallout; nuclear waste dumped - Nuclear weapons used for seismic experiments, oil exploration, dam building - Russia has many old nuclear reactors; major nuclear accidents: 1986 meltdown in Chernobyl (Belarus); another in 1956 • Construction of new nuclear plants • Possibility of warehousing of international nuclear wastes
Geopolitical Framework: The Remnants of a Global Superpower (cont.) • Geopolitical Structure (cont.)
- Centralization and Expansion of the Soviet State • Communism did not eliminate ethnic differences • In 1930, Soviet leader Stalin centralized power in Moscow, limiting national autonomy • Land added - Sakhalin, Kuril Islands from Japan; Baltic republics - Occupation of Poland, Romania, Czechoslovakia - Exclave (outside Russia's contiguous land) added from Germany - End of the Soviet System • Union republics encouraged ethnic identification • Glasnost: greater openness; Perestroika: economic restructuring • 1991: all 15 Union Republics gained independence
The Legacy of the Soviet Economy
- Communists came to power in 1917, and instituted centralized economic planning: a situation in which the state controls production targets and industrial output - Soviets nationalized agriculture, but it was inefficient - Soviets expanded industrialization and transportation • Industrialization more successful than collectivized agriculture • Trans-Siberian Railroad, canal system - Improvements in housing and education after WWII • Literacy near 100% - But economic and social problems increased in 1970s-'80s
Regional Migration Patterns
- Eastward Movement (1860-1914) • Trans-Siberian Railroad sped pace of eastward movement • Almost 1 million settlers lured by farming opportunities in southern Siberia, greater political freedom away from the Tsars » Tsars - czars; authoritarian leaders who dominated politics of pre-1917 Russian Empire (comes from "Caesar") - Political Motives • Infill in Siberia has economic and political benefits • Political dissidents; troublemakers sent to Siberia (Gulag Archipelago) • Russification: Soviet policy moved Russians into non-Russian portions of U.S.S.R to increase Russian dominance in those areas; Russians are a significant minority in former Soviet republics
The European West
- European Russia, Ukraine and Belarus on eastern European Plain • 3 environments influence agriculture in this region - Poor soils, cold temps, forests north of Moscow and St. Petersburg - Belarus and central European Russia have longer growing season, but acidic podzol soils limit farm output - South of 50 N Latitude, grassland and fertile soils support commercial wheat, corn, sugar, beets, meat production
The Russian Domain has had extremely rapid political and economic change since 1990
- From centrally planned economy to capitalism - From authoritarian dictatorship to democracy - The region's economy is currently weak, commitment to democracy uncertain, nationalist movements threaten stability - Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia must all work on global relationships
Economic and Social Development: An Era of Ongoing Adjustment (cont.) • Growing Economic Globalization (cont.)
- Globalization and Russia's Petroleum Economy • Russia has 35% of the world's natural gas reserves - Mostly in Siberia - World's largest gas exporter • Primary destination for Russian petroleum products is western Europe - Former U.S.S.R. republics depend on Russia's energy - Foreign investment in new pipelines, other technology - Local impacts of globalization • Vary from place to place - Investment in Moscow, Siberia (oil) - Pro-business Nizhny Novgorod and Samara attract investment - Local economic declines in older, uncompetitive industrial areas
Population and Settlement: An Urban Domain • Overview of the Russian Domain
- More than 200 million residents, most in cities
Population Distribution
- Most people in best farmlands • European Russia: 110 million; Siberia: 35 million; Belarus and Ukraine: 60 million - The European Core (Belarus; Western Russia; much of Ukraine) • Contains the Russian Domain's largest cities, biggest industrial complexes, most productive farms, higher population densities - Siberian Hinterlands • Relatively sparse settlement, with two zones influenced by transportation - Industrial cities along Trans-Siberian Railroad (1904) - Thinner settlement along the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM) Railroad -- newer (1984)
Recent Migration Flows in the Russian Domain (Fig. 9.17)
- New International Movements • Russification often reversed in post-Soviet era - Citizenship, language requirements encourage Russians to go • Movement to other regions - "Brain drain" to other countries - Jewish Russians move to Israel or U.S. - Mail-order Ukrainian brides to the U.S. - The Urban Attraction • Marxist philosophy of Soviet planners encouraged migration to cities • Soviets planned cities, limited population levels and regulated migration • In post-Soviet era, Russian citizens have greater freedom of movement; many older industrial areas are now losing population
Geopolitical Framework: The Remnants of a Global Superpower (cont.) • Current Geopolitical Setting (cont.)
- Regional Tensions • Chechnyan Republic seeking independence - Russians sent military - Chechnya has metals and oil - The Shifting Global Setting • Boundary issues between Russia and China • Dispute with Japan over Kuril Islands • Expansion of NATO concerns Russian leaders • Russia recently joined the "Group of Seven" (G-7) - Other members: U.S., Canada, Japan, Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy)
Geopolitical Framework: The Remnants of a Global Superpower (cont.) • Current Geopolitical Setting (1992-present) (Fig. 9.30)
- Russia and the Former Soviet Republics • Formed Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) - a looser political union that included all but three of the former republics; has no power, and is mostly a forum for discussion • Denuclearization (the return and partial dismantling of nuclear weapons from outlying republics to Russian control completed in 1990s; tactical nuclear weapons moved to Kaliningrad exclave • Military, political and ethnic tensions remain in parts of the region - Devolution and the Russian Federation • Devolution: more localized political control in Russia • Russian leaders fear other areas will secede
Geographies of Language
- Slavic languages dominate in the Russian Domain • About 80% of Russia's people are ethnic Russians • There are other language groups - Finno-Ugric (Finnish) in the north - Altaic (Tatars and Turkic peoples) in middle Volga Valley - Transcaucasia has many languages - Yakut (Turkic) in Siberia; Buryats near Lake Baikal » Similar treatment to indigenous in U.S., Canada, Australia
Geographies of Religion
- Soviets prohibited religion, religious revival underway now - Eastern Orthodox Christianity most common • Other forms of Western Christianity practiced - Non-Christian religions • 20-25 million Sunni Muslims live in the North Caucasus • Over 1 million Jews, mostly in larger western cities
Economic and Social Development: An Era of Ongoing Adjustment (cont.) • Growing Economic Globalization
- Starting in 1970s, Soviets exported fossil fuels, imported food; ties now stronger - A New Day for the Consumer • Western consumer goods available (e.g., McDonald's, Calvin Klein; even some luxury items) - Attracting Foreign Investment • Region struggles to attract foreign investment • Most investment from U.S., western Europe (esp. Germany, U.K.) - Fossil fuels, food, telecommunications, consumer goods - Foreign investment growing by more than 14% annually
Russian Culture in Global Context
- Strong traditions, influenced by Western Europe - Soviet Days • Soviets promoted social realism: a style devoted to the realistic depiction of workers harnessing the forces of nature or struggling against capitalism - Turn to the West • Young Russians adopted consumer culture in 1980s • In post-Soviet era, globalism and consumerism came to Russia from the West and elsewhere (India, Hong Kong, Latin America) - The Music Scene • American and European popular music gaining fans • Home-grown music industry is evolving
Economic and Social Development: An Era of Ongoing Adjustment (cont.) • The Post-Soviet Economy (cont.)
- The Russian Mafia • Russia Interior Ministry estimates that the Russian mafia controls 40% of the private economy and 60% of the state-run enterprises; 80% of banks in Russia may be under mafia influence - Protection money, corruption result • Russian mafia has gone global - Money laundering (Russia, U.K., U.S.); gambling (Sri Lanka); drugs (Colombia); legitimate Israeli high tech companies - Social Problems • High unemployment, rising housing costs; lower welfare spending • Divorce and domestic violence increasing; prostitution increasing • Health care spending dropping - Vaccine shortages allow disease to return - Chronic and stress-related illnesses on the rise
Exclave
- parts of national territory separated by the country which they belong by another country. (Alaska) Problems, negative or positive A lot of things we have they do not have Gas prices are a lot higher
Page 263- Total Fertility rate
- to have a stable growth you need 2.1 the rate of natural increase is slow- memorize those stastics Armenia: 1.7 Belarus: 1.4 Georgia: 1.4 Moldova: 1.3 Russia: 1.5 Ukraine: 1.4
The road to bones
...
Chapter summary
1. 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. 2. Declining and aging populations are part of the sobering reality for much of the region. While some localities see modest population growth related to in-migration (mostly toward expanding urban areas), many rural areas and less competitive industrial zones are likely to see continued outflows of people and very low birthrates. 3. Much of the region's underlying cultural geography was formed centuries ago, the complex product of slavic languages, orthodox christianity, and numerous ethnic minorities that continue to complicate the scene today. Further changing the country are new global influences- a set of products, technologies, and attitudes that often clash with traditional cultural values. 4. Much of the region's political legacy is rooted in the Russian Empire, a land-based system of colonial expansion that greatly enlarged Russian influence after 1600 and then reappeared as the soviet union expanded its influence. Only large remnants of that empire survive on the modern map, yet it has stamped the geopolitical character of the region in lasting ways. Beyond the region, Russia's growing visibility on the international stage signals its reemergence as a truly political power. 5. The peoples of the Russian domain have endured immense challenges since 1991. Today, growing centralized power in Moscow increasingly limits democratic reforms. In addition, the entire region has suffered in the recent global economic downturn. The regions future economic geography, particularly in Russia, remains tied to the fortunes of the unpredictable global energy economy.
Atlanta needs water
5.4 million people and growing Railroad hub western and atlantic rrailroad Gets more rain than seattle Lake Nickajack
Environmental Geography
A Vast and Challenging Land
Political Geography
A subdivision of human geography focused on the nature and implications of the evolving spatial organization of political governance and formal political practice on the Earth's surface. It is concerned with why political spaces emerge in the places that they do and with how the character of those spaces affects social, political, economic, and environmental understandings and practices.
Economic and Social Development: An Era of Ongoing Adjustment
After economic decline of 40% in the 1990s, Russia's economy stabilized in 2000 and 2004
Problems
Air and water pollution is the biggest, they have laxed laws on their environment. Canadian is threatening salmon One of the major factors that shaps the densities is its very northern latitude, bad soil, cold but they can grow modest oats and wheat and potatoes Permaforst- seasonally frozen ground
Rate of Natural increase:
Armenia: 0.6 Belarus: -0.3 Georgia: 0.2 Moldova: -0.1 Russia: -0.3 Ukraine: -0.5
Population
Armenia: 3.1 million Belarus: 9.7 million Georgia: 4.6 million Moldova: 4.1 million Russia: 141.8 million Ukraine: 46.0 million
Mark Stein
Author of how states got their shape
Centrifugal Forces
Cultural and political forces- such as linguistic minorities, separatists, and fringe groups-that pull away from and weaken an existing nation-state. natural recources, a bunch of languages- seen in the Russian Domain
centripetal forces
Cultural and political forces-sucj as a shared sense of history, a centralized economic structure, and the need for military security-that promote political unity in a nation-state.
What state uses the highest percentage of hydroelectric power
Idaho- 78 percent
Which three weather is in here?
Latitude and Continental The environment here is very harsh Permafrost
has more water than it can handle.
Maine Maine got hits shape from frozen water/glaciers 6,000 lakes in maine, and just as much of water underground 42 inches of rain a year in maine 24 trillion gallans per year, 2 or 5 trillian gallans underground Water is good in maine because of the glaciours- it is naturally filtered because of layers (mud, sand)
Three types of bounderies (political)
Natural Boundry- some follow a natural feature or landscape (mountains, rivers, Provo and Orem is provo river) Ethnographic Boundary- drawn on a cultural trait, usually a language Geometric Boundary- in the united states which is farther north? Draw without regard of cultural boundaries, usually just a straight line
What state has the least average rainfall
Nevada imbodies shaped the united states- 250 million gallons of water in the biggest city in Nevada is Los Vegas Nevada gets water for Lake Mead, the hover dam blocks the colorada river to have water. Water levels are dropping Nevada
Russian Domain includes
Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, and Armenia (all were part of the U.S.S.R.)
What states could change?
Tenneesee could change and so can Georgia
From its start it was all about water
Tennesse was looking at the Mississippi river Bar Fight
How states got their shapes
They have water in common Water shapes are states, every state but four (Including Utah and Colorado)
Five Reason why a round shape is better:
Transporation- anytime a country evolves it takes money. You need emphastructure. Harder if it was spread out. Communication- closer to get the word out more defisive you can be and the easier to go for. Less Perimeter, the easier to defend your country. Centralized Government- It will be physically centered and less groups rebelling, the farther away you are from your government easier to rebel
Transcontental railroads, fall of the the soviet union in 1991- financial crash, increase central government, at a time they seemed to be ahead of the united states
Untill 1991 a lot of metal and petroleum, slovic Russia 140 million, Moscow is 10 milion ( like Los Agelas), Ukraine (Look at Stats) all the way to Georgia
Enclave
a district surrounded by a country but not ruled by it (a country within a country) you can have them in your own state or even a neighborhood. Looking at Utah- parkcity "we are in Utah but we are not apart of Utah"- they are saying we are not Mormon What problems do we see? Depend on the laws of the bigger country for recources, if the they have natural recourses the bigger country will want it. Example: Indians and the United States Transportation- who they going to do business with?
Languages 271-9.23
at least a dozen languages- it is showing why it is hard for that country to unify. If you can unify you can be more powerful.
Corado river is used
by seven states California uses the most—the scriggle line in California was the colardo river.- 1.5 trillon gallans of water thaey take Los Vegas is a ghost city in the making
1796
congress created tennesse from north Carolina, 35th parallel latitude nine times Georgia has asked for the border to be corrected (look up year)
America southwest
driest and fastest growing Since 1990- lake mead has shrunk 200 feet 1850s neveda border from Utah Why had Nevada taken arizona's land? Arizona joined the south for the civil war
What can you see as far as inflow and outflow
economically they are moving east, moving to cities, most of the republic are moving to Moscow, Everyone who is already there are going to the US and Canada
Which of these states has the most miles of shoreline
florida
Sovereign State
independent state that has the power to control things politically and economically without external force.
More the compact and tight the county the better, best shape for a country
is a circle and a hexagonal
State
is a country
Territoriality
it is a learned response; in his point of view it is negative, In political geography, a country's or more local community's sense of property and attachment toward its territory, as expressed by its determination to keep it inviolable and strongly defended. Fences are just there to mark you property. We like our property.
Russia is the largest country (in land area) on Earth
it spans 11 time zones - Rich in resources, but has among the world's harshest climates
Siberian Lumber
look at picture 9.10
What's the longest rive in the us
missouri river 2,540 miles long
Maine was orrignally apart
of massachestts
Where water goes:
pacific, atlantic, Drains into (lower 48 states)- The salt lake ?Great Basin (other than atlantic, pacific) leaves salts Saw girl at BYU:)
Ecological Mixing
possible because of air coming in, it is a little warmer. Has tigers and elaphants
Georgia
south of the caucuses mountains
Pg 269- population pyramid Look at that
there is going to be a work force shortage- you can either have more babies or other people can come and take the jobs
The Tiga
this produces a lot of wood and timber for china and japan
Hiram Ricker
thought about selling water from maine because of indesgestion 100 years ago sold water in barrels like water bottles americans drink 24 million water every day
The Demographic Crisis
• General population decline caused by low birth rates and rising death (mortality) rates, especially among middle-aged males - Causes » fraying social fabric » economic uncertainty » declining health among women of child-bearing age » stress-related diseases » rising murder and suicide » toxic environments • Russia's population could fall by 3 million by 25 million by 2030
Geopolitical Framework: The Remnants of a Global Superpower
• Geopolitical Structure of the Former Soviet Union - Russian Empire collapsed abruptly in 1917 • Briefly, a broad-based coalition of business people, workers, and peasants replaced tsars • Soon, Bolsheviks (faction of Russian Communists representing the interests of the industrial workers), led by Lenin, centralized power and introduced communism (economic system) - The Soviet Republics and Autonomous Areas • Soviet leaders designed a geopolitical solution to maintain the country's territorial boundaries, and theoretically acknowledged the rights of non-Russian citizens by creating Union Republics - Autonomous areas: minor political sub-units designed to recognize special status of minority groups within existing republics
The Caucasus and Transcaucasia
• In extreme south of European Russia, forms Russia's southern boundary, between the Black and Caspian seas • Highest peak is Mt. Elbrus (18,000 feet) • Georgia and Armenia are in Transcaucasia; Lesser Caucasus Mountains form border between Armenia and Azerbaijan • Climate: high rainfall in west, arid or semi-arid in east; good soils and farming
Redefining Regional Economic Ties
• Independent republics negotiate for needed resources with Russia and each other rather than accept centralized control • Russia continues to dominate the region's economy
The Russian Far East
• Near Vladivostok, about same latitude as New England (in N. America) • Longer growing seasons and milder climates than Siberia, seismically active • Ussuri and Amur River Valleys have mixed crop and livestock farming • Vegetation includes conifers, taiga, Asian hardwoods
Privatization and Economic Uncertainty
• Russia removed price controls in 1992; sold state-owned business to private investors in 1993 - Higher prices, lack of legal safeguards created problems • Agriculture still struggles, in part due to harsh climate, landforms • Many people see little economic gain from changes
Environmental Geography: A Vast and Challenging Land
• Russian Domain has good farmlands, metal and petroleum resources • High latitude, continental climate, temperature extremes • Cold climate and rugged terrain limit human settlement and agriculture • Sturgeon (caviar-producing fish) nearly gone - Few domestic regulations to protect them - Poaching adds to the problem
Conclusions
• Russian Domain has seen great change, from empire, through revolution and break-up • Ethnic and cultural differences continue to shape this region • Russian Domain is rich in natural resources, but has limited agricultural potential and lingering economic difficulties • Massive readjustments growing from the political and economic upheavals of the 1990s continue to affect the area • Environmental devastation in the region and its effects continue to cause social and health problems • More uncertainty lies ahead for the people of the Russian Domain.
Inside the Russian City
• Russian cities carefully in planned form and function, with circular land-use zones - Core has superior transportation, best stores and housing » Core predates Soviets era » Sotzgorods: work-linked housing (including dorms) » Chermoyuski: apartment blocks from 1950s/60s » Mikrorayons: Self-contained housing projects of 1970s/80s » Dachas: country houses available only to the elite
Economic and Social Development: An Era of Ongoing Adjustment • The Legacy of the Soviet Economy (cont.)
• Soviet industry more successful than its agriculture - Soviets added major industrial zones (Fig. 9.31), many near energy sources and metals - Moscow had fewer raw materials, but had some of Russia's best infrastructure, large pool of skilled labor, and demand for industrial products • Soviets developed a good transportation and communication infrastructure • Soviets had a massive housing campaign in the 1960s • Soviets made literacy virtually universal, and health care readily available; eliminated the worst of the poverty
Cultural Coherence and Diversity: The Legacy of Slavic Dominance
• The Heritage of the Russian Empire - Growth of the Russian Empire • Slavic "Rus" in power from 900AD around Kiev • Eastern Orthodox Christianity came in 1000AD • By 1400s, new and expanding Russian state after Tatar and Mongol rule • Expansion eastward in 16th & 17th centuries; westward expansion slow • Final expansion of Russian Empire in 19th Century in Central Asia - The Significance of Empire • By 1900, Russians were found from St. Petersburg (on the Baltic) to Vladivostok (on the Sea of Japan)
Economic and Social Development: An Era of Ongoing Adjustment (cont.) • The Post-Soviet Economy
• The region has replaced its communist system with a mix of state-run operations and private enterprise
The Ural Mountains and Siberia
• Urals separate European Russia from Siberia: low mountains with cold, dry climates • Siberia extends thousands of miles, cold climate, little precipitation - Lake Baikal (largest freshwater reserve in the world - 400 miles long, nearly a mile deep, with unique species) - Tundra (mosses, lichens) north; Taiga (coniferous forest zone) south - Farming possible only in southwest Siberia - Permafrost in Eastern Siberia - cold climate with unstable, seasonally frozen ground limiting farming and construction
