A Geography of Russia and Its Neighbors

Comprehensive and authoritative, this text offers an accessible introduction to post-Soviet Eurasia. Students get a solid grounding in the physical, cultural, political, and economic geography of this rapidly changing region. Core thematic chapters focus primarily on Russia but also incorporate relevant information on the other 14 former Soviet republics. Regional chapters provide concise discussions of each republic and of Russia's main regions. Student-friendly features include engaging vignettes, review questions, exercises, recommendations for further reading, and Internet resources, plus over 200 original maps, photographs, and other figures.This book will be invaluable to geography instructors and students and it will also serve as a primary text in undergraduate courses.

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\u2019s 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 Geography 2. Relief and Hydrography 3. Climate 4. Biomes 5. Environmental Degradation and Conservation II. History and Politics 6. 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 Geography 10. 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. Economics 17. 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 Services V. Regional Geography of Russia and Other FSU States 22. Central Russia: The Heart of the Country 23. Russia\u2019s Northwest: Fishing, Timber, and Culture 24. The Volga: Cars, Food, and Energy 25. The Caucasus: Cultural Diversity and Political Instability 26. The Urals: Metallurgy, Machinery, and Fossil Fuels 27. Siberia: Great Land 28. The Far East: The Russian Pacific 29. 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