CAPITAL: MOSCOW

Current Russia

Current Russia Life in Russia has changed dramatically in last

30 years

Capital –Moscow Political capital Cultural, scientific, educational capital Industrial center Located in Western Russia(Europe)

St. Petersburg- 2nd largest city Located in Western Russia on Baltic Sea Important port and industrial center Founded by Peter the Great

People 120 ethnic groups 80% is ethnic Russian Russian in the main language and most

widely spoken Under rule of the Czar and Soviets

languages and cultures were suppressed Current Constitution supports the right of

all people to use their native language Volga River provides water for

Hydroelectric power and irrigation

People Majority of people live in western Russia

Climate is milder than Siberia People in Siberia live mainly in towns

along or south of the Trans-Siberian Railroad This railroad stretches from Moscow to the

eastern coast Novosibirk-3rd largest city lies along the

railroad on the Western Siberian Plain Higher quality of life

Moscow and St. Petersburg

Trans-Siberian Railway

Religion Eastern Orthodox- Majority

population Islam-second-largest religion,

practiced mainly in the Caucasus Buddhism-Practiced in Siberia near

Caspian Sea Judaism-Many Jews were persecuted

under Stalin, left to rebuild their religions practices

With fall of Soviet Union religious freedom increased

Religion Wooden churches and architecture

widely known Churches contain icons

Religious images usually painted on wood panels

Christianity influenced art this way

Arts and Sports Ballet- important part of arts since the

1700’s Literature-part of culture for 1,000 years

1800’s and 1900’s produced some of the most important works in all of Europe

Slovak folk art still influences Russian art Features animal forms and images of natural

forces

Sports Soccer Ice hockey

Daily Life Much different then it was with the

USSR More shops opening More consumer goods to buy Making progress in providing more

housing Free to celebrate holidays and

customs that were quashed by the Soviet Union

Government Collapse of Soviet Union in 1991 Russia operates on a Constitution-

1993 Democratic federal republic

Voters elect representatives to national and legislature

Power divided among legislative executive and judicial branches

Head of state is the President

Government 2012 Vladimir Putin elected

president for the third time Has made economic and political

reforms Worked to limit powers of the

Oligarch Has also restricted freedom of

speech Closed networks that have criticized his

government Keeps tight control on country

Current Issues Keeps tight control on many ethnic

groups Many groups want to form own country Chechens, live in Chechnya, southern

Russia Health care is expensive and difficult

to afford for the average working person

Environmental Problems During Soviet Union rule environmental

issues were ignored Belief that natural resources were

abundant and waste was not a concern Much of Russian land is now stressed

Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant A nuclear reactor exploded in April 1986 Sent radiation into the air across the

countryside Making an effort to improve the issues

Vocabulary Oligarch-small group of people who

control the government and use it to further their goals.

Inflation-sharp increase in the price of goods, sometimes caused by a shortage