Ben RogaczewskiGLS 370Prof. BollenSeptember 27, 2015

Few regions have so many physical geographical similarities and differences

simultaneously as Europe and Russia and the post-Soviet States. Coincidentally,

history has played a direct part on these regions, most recently through the Cold

War. Yet, while their differences shook the globe, these regions oddly enough share

almost as many geographic similarities as differences. In this paper I will show how

these physical geographic similarities and differences in both regions have affected

the human geography of these regions. In the process, I will discuss the primary

physical geographies of these regions in comparison and then hypothesize how

these different and similar geographies might affect the human geographies of these

regions. First, let us look at the region of Europe.

The region of Europe features mountainous areas like the Alps, uplands that

are between the mountains and the lowlands, which consist of areas, like the

Netherlands and the coastal regions (Pulsipher, Pulsipher, & Goodwin, 2015, p.

155). Connecting these areas together are a series of rivers important for transport

and trade throughout history, connecting major portions of continental Europe to

the Mediterranean and North Africa. Along with these rivers, many years ago,

forests were scattered throughout these regions. Many of these forests have been

harvested for resources over time, but most of these forests have begun to

regenerate over time (Pulsipher, Pulsipher, & Goodwin, 2015, p. 156).

As for the climate of the region, the North Atlantic Drift controls much of the

European climate, bringing warm weather to adjust the different climates of the

regions. The region has three particular climates: temperate mid-latitude,

Mediterranean, and continental. The temperate mid-latitude is characterized by

year round moisture, with mild winters and mild to hot summers. The

Mediterranean climate is characterized by warm, dry summers, and mild rainy

winters. Finally, somewhat hot summers and long cold winters characterize the

continental climate (Pulsipher, Pulsipher, & Goodwin, 2015, p. 156). Most of these

climates are important for Europeans, but the Mediterranean climate is the most

important one for agriculture in the region for growing citrus, grapes, olives and

wheat. This connection with agriculture and nature has only grown stronger in

Europe with the rising concern of climate change. Because of this strong connection,

the European Union leads the globe in responsiveness to climate change, cutting

back on CO2 emissions and focusing on rail and waterway transport rather than

private cars (Pulsipher, Pulsipher, & Goodwin, 2015, p. 156). This ecological

consciousness of Europe is most likely responsible for the regeneration of the

European forests and increase of agriculture in the region. Now let us turn for the

moment to Russia and the post-Soviet States.

Like Europe, Russia and the post-Soviet States, a region hereafter will be

referred to as the RSS, contains numerous mountainous areas that split the region

into two particular areas, separated by the Ural mountains: the Siberian plains in

the north, and European Russia to the southwest. Yet, unlike Europe, the RSS

population is far denser in European Russia than other areas of the region; Europe

on the other hand has a more spread out population (Pulsipher, Pulsipher, &

Goodwin, 2015, p. 220). Not surprising, European Russia also contains Russia’s

capital of Moscow and its most prominent river, the Volga. Tributaries stream off

from the Volga and part of its importance stems from its use in agriculture of grain.

This differs from the numerous rivers of Europe, which have multiple uses, not just

for agricultural irrigation. However, if we take a closer look at the agriculture of the

region, we begin to see that a major difference between the RSS and Europe in the

climate affects this agriculture.

While Europe has a variety of different climates during summer and winter,

the climate of the RSS generally revolves around harsh winters and sudden springs,

known as rasputitsa, or “quagmire season” (Pulsipher, Pulsipher, & Goodwin, 2015,

p. 198). This climate change creates a number of problems in the RSS, including

halted or hindered transportation construction from sudden mudslides caused by

melted permafrost in the region. However, one of the more particular differences

between the two regions is the treatment of nature.

Historically, Soviet ideology has had a rather negative treatment nature, in

that its leaders felt no qualms about openly exploiting the environment. Soviet

ideology stems from the idea that nature is the servant of industrial and agricultural

progress, summed up by Josef Stalin’s quote, “We cannot expect charity from

Nature. We must tear it from her” (Pulsipher, Pulsipher, & Goodwin, 2015, p. 198).

Not only this, but the history of the RSS is rife with situations of pollution and

manmade environmental changes. One such example is the disappearance of the

Aral Sea. When cotton farmers began to irrigate near the Aral Sea too much to boost

their cotton industry, the increase in irrigation began to draw water away from the

Aral Sea, essentially drying it up (Pulsipher, Pulsipher, & Goodwin, 2015, pp. 201-

202). Cases such as this have become common in the RSS, but now some have begun

to push for more ecologically conscious measures against pollution and other

geographical changes.

It seems clear that these physical geographical differences in both of these

regions have affected the human geography as well. In the case of Europe, I might

suggest that due to its increase in more green policies, as to avoid CO2 emissions and

pollution, Europeans would be inclined to use means of transportation other than

private cars, such as bicycles and railways. This increase in alternative means of

transportation would also mean that trade with drastically change, in that Europe

would no longer devote a majority of its trade to Russia’s oil industry, and would

therefore seek out alternative fuel sources.

In looking at Russia we see a rather different picture. The fact that oil and

natural gas remain as Russia’s top exports means that mining and producing these

resources would continue to create pollution unless something could be done to cut

back on the CO2. It would appear that Russia would be reluctant to simply give up its

greatest cash crop.

Ultimately, it can be seen that both of these regions, while they do share

some similarities, contrast greatly among their respective physical geographies.

However, these differences at the same time deeply affect the human geographies of

the regions, making them incredibly important to the different peoples of the

regions.

Bibliography

Pulsipher, L. M., Pulsipher, A. A., & Goodwin, C. (2015). World Regional Geography Concepts (3rd Edition ed.). New York City, New York, United States of America: W. H. Freeman and Company.