Geography of Eurasia

Geography and Climate

• Siberia is known for its abundance of natural resources and harsh climate.
• The region's climate is influenced by its distance from the sea, a phenomenon known as continentality.
• The largest forest on earth, the Taiga, is found in Russia and the Republics.

Rivers and Water

• The Volga is the longest river on the European Continent.
• The diversion of water from the Aral Sea has caused environmental damage, including the exposure of salt, fertilizers, and pesticides on the seabed.
• The Aral Sea has been damaged by large-scale irrigation projects.

Vegetation Regions

• The Tundra is a region where only certain types of plants, such as moss and lichen, can survive.
• The largest vegetation region found in Russia and the Republics is the Taiga.

Mountains and Borders

• The Caucasus Mountains form the border between Russia and Transcaucasia.
• The Republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia make up a region called Transcaucasia.

Economy and History

• The region's most important industry is oil, and the decision to classify the Caspian as a sea or a lake will help determine how oil resources are divided among the countries surrounding it.
• The Soviet Union was formed after the Russian Revolution ended the rule of the czars in 1917.
• The Cold War was the period of tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II.

Culture and Society

• Georgians gather together to eat, drink, and give toasts that show respect for tradition at lively dinner parties called Supras.
• The Silk Road was a 4,000-mile trade route between China and the Mediterranean Sea.

Transportation and Infrastructure

• The Trans-Siberian Railroad links Moscow to the port of Vladivostok.
• Builders in Siberia must take special precautions during construction due to the permafrost.