The Physical Features

- What are the longest rivers in Russia?

- Russia is a land of long rivers and large lakes. The north Dvina, the three mighty Siberian rivers: the Ob, the Lena and the Yenisei, and the Amur rank with the Nile and the Amazon are among the world’s longest rivers.

- What is the role of the Volga?

- The largest of all Russia’s rivers is the Volga. This river is a major transport route from the north to the south and a source of hydroelectric energy. It rises north of Moscow in the Valdai Hills.

- What do you know about Lake Baikal?

- The three largest lakes in Russia are Baikal in South-Eastern Siberia and Ladoga and Onega in Northern Russia. The Baikal is the world’s most ancient lake and the deepest one. It contains one-fifth of the world’s fresh water.

- What can you say about the relief of Russia?

- The relief of Russia is mostly flat. Russia is located in two plains: the Great Russian Plain and the Western Siberian Plain.

- Is the Elbrus the highest mountain in the Russian Federation?

- There are three main mountain chains in Russia. The Caucasus is a range of mountains, which extends from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea. The highest mountain in the Caucasus is a range of mountains in the Caucasus, in the Russian Federation and in the whole Europe is Mount Elbrus.

- What are the Urals famous for?

- The Urals extend from the Arctic Ocean to the steppes. This mountain chain divides the European and Asiatic parts of Russia. The Urals are famous for their valuable minerals and gemstones.

- How long does winter last in the different regions of Russia?

- There are various types of climate on the territory of Russia. Russia is one of the world’s coldest and most northern countries. Winter lasts five months in St Petersburg (from November to March), but up to nine months in Siberia, with snow falling even in May and frosts starting in August.

- Can you name the main vegetation zones in Russia?

- Corresponding to climate they are: the tundra, the taiga (or pine forests), mixed forest, steppe, semi-desert. Each vegetation belt has its own flora, fauna and natural resources.

The Economy

- What was the economical position of Russia in the former USSR?

- Russia was the most populous state of the former USSR and also the wealthiest one. It produced 78 per cent of all its natural gas, 60 per cent of steel, 80 per cent of timber and 91 per cent of oil. It also has one of the world’s largest fishing industries.

- What industries and crafts were encouraged in Russia under Peter the Great and Catherine the Great?

- The history of Russian Industry goes back to the middle of the seventeenth century. The development of new industries and crafts – metal working textiles, brick making and china manufacture – was encouraged under Peter the Great. During the reign of Catherine the Great, the Urals became the focus for iron industry, and Russia became the world’s largest iron producer.

- What do you know about Russian economy in the second part of the 19^th century?

- After 1870 the fast railway engineering in Russia was stimulated by industrial boom. Some deals were made with western companies to develop Russia’s immense oil resources. By 1903 Russia had been the world’s largest oil producer.

- When was Russia one of the biggest grain producers and exporters?

- Before the Revolution Russia was one of the world’s largest grain producers and exporters.

- Was the quality gap between home and western products an important factor for economical reforms in Russia?

- Yes, it was. By 1980s the quality gap between home and western products could no longer be ignored and called for reforms.

- What was planned to do in the energy sector before the Chernobyl disaster?

- Before the Chernobyl disaster it was planned that an expanded nuclear programme could help the conservation of other energy resources.