TCA #4 ~ Russia and the Republics / SW Asia

Since 1991 the Russian government has undergone many changes, including adopting a constitution. Despite changes that have introduced more democratic reforms, one political leader has dominated Russia’s executive branch since 1999. How does this current political pattern in Russia reflect the political history of this region?

• Russian governments and politics have a long history of authoritarian rule.

• Russian history is characterized by a series of revolutions to limit the government.

• For most of the twentieth century Russians have not had the right to vote in elections.

• Russia has historically adopted western traditions including western political philosophies.

How do the Ural Mountains affect the distribution of climate regions in Russia?

• The northern side of the mountain range receives cool, rainy weather, while the southern side is a hot desert.

• The western side of the mountain range receives warm continental winds, while the eastern side is much cooler and drier.

• The western side receives cold, arctic weather, while the eastern side is protected from weather extremes and has a mild climate.

• The western side of the mountain range receives warm Mediterranean winds, while the eastern side is affected by Indian Ocean monsoon rains.

Socialism and communism are both examples of which type of economy?

• Mixed

• Market

• Command

• Traditional

Russian territory nearest the Arctic Ocean experiences low amounts of precipitation and low temperatures throughout the year creating a biome characterized by –

• tundra

• desert

• grasslands

• taiga forests

Which geographic factors contribute to the population distribution pattern shown on the map above?

• Southern areas have a higher population density due to nearby access to Indian Ocean trade routes.

• Northern regions have a higher population density due to easy access to the sea and better timberland.

• Western areas have a higher population density due to the warmer climate and more arable land than eastern areas.

• Eastern areas have a higher population density due to the flat terrain, allowing for extensive trade routes and the growth of trading cities.

Which factor had the most impact on the creation of the borders shown on the map above?

• Climate zones

• Ethnic divisions

• Physical geography

• Mountain barriers

Although the world is looking for affordable energy resources, the incident at Chernobyl in 1986, created great fear and apprehension. What happened?

• A tsunami destroyed the power plant.

• Terrorists took over the power plant.

• The nuclear power plant exploded.

• An earthquake destroyed the power plant.

Why has Siberia become an increasingly valuable area to Russia?

• The Russian military uses the region to limit the influence of China on East Asia.

• Most Russian prisons are built in the area to take advantage of the remote location.

• The many natural resources have led to expanding industry and trade.

• Siberian ice is transported west for agriculture in drought regions around the Ural Mountains.

Based on the map, one way that cultural diffusion has impacted the city of Jerusalem includes —

• the creation of separate distinct cultural enclaves

• the blending of several religious traditions into a new one

• the building of a wall to keep threatening forces out of the city

Which event is a daily reminder in Southwest Asia of the significance of religion in the region?

• Ramadan dinners

• Public calls to prayer

• Pilgrimages to Mecca

• Friday store closings