Fall 1995 484/485 Russia

Russia

Physical Aspects

The Russian Federation is a country as big as a continent. It spans across Eastern Europe, from the subtropical Black sea in the south to the Arctic Circle on the North. From Europe, it stretches east over the Ural mountains and nearly half way around the northern hemisphere to her port cities on the Pacific Ocean, a small distance from Alaskan waters in the Arctic region. European Russia is comprised of ancient lands and ethnic groups situated on great plains, northern birch forrests, and mountainous regions in the south.In between the Urals and the Pacific are boundless, timeless wilderness lands. with smaller developed regions every thousaand miles or so. In the North, vast frigid tundra landscapes, forrests in much of the rest. In the east, the deepest lake in the world - Lake Baikal, and an ocasional volcano on the far east.

This is the world's largest nation in area, covering 11 time zones. She has nearly two times the land area of the United States.

Cultural Aspects

The Russian federation (Rossiskaya Federatsiya) is comprised of a changing patchwork of autonomous republics, regions and areas within and around the territory of the Russian Republic. The population, mostly located in European Russia, is 80% Russian, with the rest being a diverse mix of asian, muslim, central asian, slavic and european etnic goups - most identified with a repblic or region of their own.

The Population is generally well educated. Literacy is at 98%. Russians are well read, being quite familiar with poetry and literature, new and old, of national and international authors. As a whole, this is a people that are very interested about what is going on in the world, and have a keen sense about how they compare to other nations and cultures. This is an image conscious nation. However, at the same time, it is a fairly insular country. Valuing interderpendance to some extent, and making their voice heard on international issues, They, never the less, are determined to set their own distict course politically, economically, and culturally. Furthermore, from the days of the Czars right down to today, they have been very security minded, seeking to protect their interests and those of other slavs( as with their support for Serbia in the Balkan war).

Individuals in this country, and this nation as a whole are notably more philosophical and quick minded than North americans. They have a natural tendency to step back and look at problems and issues with depth and acuracy of insight. They look at the "big picture" and derive good solutions. They fall short in producing results and accomplishing visible changes in day to day life. Americans, for comparrison, have the opposite problem. We are productive, results oriented people, but dispense with deep thought, and therefor can waste our time because we fail to grasp and effectively address the root problems.

Historical Development.

The history of Russia is Spectacular, fitting for a country so vast and interesting. Picture a people who have learned to develop a hard shell on the exterior, and a sense humor among themselves, to cope with the hardship they, their parents and grandparents have endured. They have been subjected to repression and excessive monitoring by the government, wars, economic hardships, and recently, a suprizing change of government, and new freedoms. Millions this century have died during famines, wars, and at the hand of their own government, if not exiled to Siberia, by Stalin.

Recently, changes to a new multi party government and free market economy have been met with suprisingly less interest among Russians than with foreigners.

The new Russia commemerates her independance as being on June 12, 1990, while it was officially independant from the Soviet Union on August 24, 1991. The Soviet Government, having no reason to continue, ceased to exist on December 31, 1991 (and the old communist party was over).

The new government, led by Boris Yeltsin and the Bicameral Assembly, made rapid moves toward reform - privatization, freeing up foreign trade, etc - , and has adopted a new constitution. The economy, in making it's adjustment, has looked grim. There are no longer supply shortages, but people simply can't afford what fills store shelves. In 1994, the GNP was down 15%, Industrial Output was down 21%. Inflation was at about 300% annually, while incomes rose 18% - only because many people are taking on second jobs.

Added to this are: a powerful mafia, who have taken up the business of fear and coersion, where the Soviet Government left off; ethnic conflicts; and brewing civil wars and skermishes as republics try and break away.

There were 13 political parties represented in the national election of 1993. Currently in the State Duma, The two largest parties represented are Russia's Choice and New Regional Policy. They are pro democracy and pro market. The next three largest form a coalition of anti-market and/or ultranationalist parties; an odd mixture of ultra right wing parties and the new revived communist party. This second block is larger than the first two parties. However, other representatives in the Duma along with the democratic/free market parties help keep Russia on the present course of reform.

Russia, in 1995 faces many challenges as she redefines her identity and role in the world

On-Line Reference to Russia

25X95
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