This document provides an overview of the geography, history, politics, and economics of Russia and the countries of the Near Abroad. It describes the physical geography of the vast region, including its climate, vegetation, topography, and river systems. It then discusses the population patterns and diverse ethnic groups. The origins and expansion of Russian influence are outlined, from Kievan Rus to the Russian Empire. The establishment and collapse of the Soviet Union and subsequent transition to capitalism in Russia are summarized. Current geopolitical issues involving Russia, the Near Abroad countries, and international relations are also briefly mentioned.

1. World Regional Geography Chapter 5: A Geographic Profile of Russia & The Near Abroad

5. Russia and the Near Abroad

6. Population Distribution of Russia and the Near Abroad

7. Population Cartogram of Russia and the Near Abroad

10. Comparison in Latitude and Area with North America 80% of this region’s area is farther north than any point in the conterminous United States

11. Climates of Russia and the Near Abroad

12. Biomes of Russia and the Near Abroad

13. High Arctic Building Erected on Pilings

14. Land Use in Russia and the Near Abroad

15. Milled Conifers from the Russian Taiga

16. Grazier on the Southern Russian Steppe

18. Physical Geography of Russia and the Near Abroad

19. Lock in the Volga-Don Canal

22. Ethnolinguistic Distributions

24. Religions of Russia and the Near Abroad Today, Russia has 4 official religions: Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism

25. Russian Orthodox Church in Vyborg

31. Soviet Agricultural Expansion (1954-1957)

33. Freedom of Expression in St. Petersburg

35. Rolex Advertisement in Russia

36. Poverty in Post-Soviet Russia

39. Political Units of the Russian Federation

41. Paul McCartney is “Back in the USSR”

42. The Caucasus

43. Russian Soldiers: Peacekeepers or Conquerors?