Geography of Russia and Its Neighbors (eBook)

Mikhail S. Blinnikov is Professor of Geography and Graduate Coordinator at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He is a native of Moscow, Russia, and has traveled widely and conducted extensive fieldwork in the former Soviet Union. Dr. Blinnikov’s research and publications focus on the late Pleistocene biogeography of grasslands; phytolith analysis; remote sensing/geographic information systems; protected natural areas and green spaces in and near cities; young-naturalist movements and nongovernmental organizations; and Orthodox religious landscapes.

1. Introduction: Russia and Post-Soviet Northern Eurasia I. Physical Geography2. Relief and Hydrography 3. Climate 4. Biomes 5. Environmental Degradation and Conservation II. History and Politics6. Formation of the Russian State 7. The Soviet Legacy 8. Post-Soviet Reforms 9. The Geopolitical Position of Russia in the World III. Cultural and Social Geography10. Demographics and Population Distribution 11. Cities and Villages 12. Social Issues. Health, Wealth, Poverty, and Crime 13. Cultures and Languages 14. Religion, Diet, and Dress 15. Education, Arts, Sciences, and Sports 16. Tourism IV. Economics17. Oil, Gas, and Other Energy Sources 18. Heavy Industry and the Military Complex 19. Light Industry and Consumer Goods 20. Fruits of the Earth: Agriculture, Hunting, Fishing, and Forestry 21. Infrastructure and ServicesV. Regional Geography of Russia and Other FSU States22. Central Russia: The Heart of the Country23. Russia’s Northwest: Fishing, Timber, and Culture 24. The Volga: Cars, Food, and Energy 25. The Caucasus: Cultural Diversity and Political Instability26. The Urals: Metallurgy, Machinery, and Fossil Fuels 27. Siberia: Great Land28. The Far East: The Russian Pacific29. The Baltics: Europeysky, Not Sovetsky 30. Eastern Europeans: Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova 31. Central Asia: The Heart of Eurasia 32. Epilogue: Engaging with Post-Soviet Northern Eurasia