1.

Compare the climate, vegetation, and agricultural conditions

of Russia's European west with those of Siberia and the Russian
Far East.
- Russias European West has bad quality soil, colder temperatures, and
has forests and grasslands. Siberia has more of a colder climate and less
rainfall so the farming is limited. The vegetation consists of tundra in the
north and Taiga in the south. The Russian Far East has mild climate and is
prone to earthquakes. Vegetation consists of coniferous trees, taiga, and
hardwoods.

2. Describe some of the high environmental costs of

industrialization within the Russian domain.
- Most of the Russian people live in an environment that is dangerous to
their health, about 65 million Russians experience poor air quality, and half
of the country has hazardous drinking water. Due to decades of Soviet
industrialization, Siberian forests have been destroyed which may have
speeded the process of global warming in other parts of the world. Nuclear
pollution is also widespread between Northeast Siberia and Ukraine, the
result of years of unregulated nuclear testing, nuclear power plants with
little environmental controls, and abandoned Soviet submarines and other
war craft. Also, the Chernobyl crisis still is impacting the environment
around it.

3. Discuss how major river and rail corridors have shaped the
geography of population and economic development in the
region. Provide specific examples.
- Major River and railroads have definitely impacted the geography of the
Russian domain, as more cities with larger populations are located near
them like Kazan and Novosibirsk, which are situated on the Trans-Siberian
Railroad corridor. This is probably due to the fact that is easier to transport
goods when there is a river or a railroad nearby thus making it easier and
cheaper to live.

4. Contrast Soviet and post-Soviet migration patterns within the

Russian domain, and discuss the changing forces at work.
- Eastward migration was very popular in the 19th century since peasants
being attracted to the area due to their agricultural opportunities. The
Eastward migration continued into the Soviet period because the
government also thought that it would be good for the country to establish
a rich resource base. Another reason for eastward migration at the time
was WWII since they would most likely not be as affected from the war
there. Post-soviet migration was reversed since newly independent

countries were being established more people chose to more out of

Russia. Most Russians have actually moved West and out of the Central
Asia and Baltic regions which has led to more immigrants coming into this
area for work.

5. Describe some of the major land-use zones in the modern

Russian city, and suggest why it is important to understand the
impact of Soviet-era planning within such settings.
- Some of the major land-use zones in modern Russian cities are a core
area sort of like a downtown that has transportation connections, good
department stores and shops, the best housing available and the most
important offices of the city. The citys land-use pattern is usually circular
which is due to a lot of urban planning and have allowed for cities to be
more successful and easier to navigate.

6. What were the key phases of colonial expansion during the

rise of the Russian Empire, and how did each enlarge the reach
of the Russian state?
- There were two key phases of colonial expansion during the rise of the
Russian Empire. Each phase enlarged the Russian state. The first phase
was eastward expansion: Slavic leaders in Moscow dethroned Tatars in
late 1400s and established a new Russian state. Later, the Russians and
the Cossacks conquered Siberia.
Phase 2 was westward expansion, which was slow and tentative. By the
1700s, Russian had gained territory from Sweden, Poland, and the
Ottoman Turks, which led to the formation of St. Petersburg, and added
Belarus and Ukraine. The final expansion occurred in the 1800s, adding
Georgia and Armenia

7. What are some of the key ethnic minority groups within

Russia and the neighboring states, and how have they been
recognized in the region's geopolitical structure?
- Some key ethnic minority groups within Russia are the Karelians, Komi,
Mordvinians, Volga Tatars, Yakut, Buryats, and the Evenki. Land ownership
and the right to own herds of reindeer were state controlled during the
Soviet Era but once the era was over, the Evenki were left with practically
nothing and became progressively dependent on the state for help. Many
of the groups were given autonomous regions, however the regions were
more of a title and less a valid political entity.

8. Describe how centralized planning created a new economic

geography across the former Soviet Union. What is its lasting

impact?
- Centralized planning created a new economic geography across the
former Soviet Union by deciding where industry, cities, and other economic
activities would happen. The geographic patterns that were put in place by
this centralized planning remain in place because of the heavy investment
in infrastructure of all types. As long as the economy of Russia is weak, it
is unlikely that there will be investment in new cities and industries.
Eventually, with the improvement of the incipient free market system in
Russia, new cities and industries may evolve and older, obsolete entities
may fade away

9. Briefly summarize the key strengths and weaknesses of the

post-Soviet Russian economy and suggest how globalization
has shaped its evolution.
- Decentralization of the Soviet economy caused economic crisis for many

of the Soviet alliances that had become dependent on state subsidies.

Although, privatization and a mixed economy caused some states to be
able succeed economically, increased oil and natural gas prices lead to an
economic improvement in Russia in the 2000s. Russian natural gas and
oil exportation to the global economy caused economic relations between
them and the rest of the world to increase, as well as introduce Russian
and Eastern European people to western goods and services. This has
created between cultural and economic relations however it can create a
risk due to the tense relations between Russia and the west.