Ancient Russia

earned his nickname for his great acts of cruelty directed toward all those with whom he disagreed, even killing his own son. He became the first ruler to assume the title Czar of all Russia.

A political barrier that isolated the peoples of Eastern Europe after WWII, restricting their ability to travel outside the region

the large landmass that includes both Europe and Asia

The revolution against the Tsarist government which led to the abdication of Nicholas II and the creation of a provisional government in March 1917.

plain in the middle of Russia that separates Asian Russia from European Russia

The longest river in Europe and Russia's most important commercial river.

An extremely cold, dry biome.

is the current President of the Russian Federation,

Highest mountain in Europe

a Serbian American inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, physicist, and futurist best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current electricity supply system

was a revolutionary leader and the founder of the Soviet Union. He played a crucial role in the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917

Emperor of Russia; advocated moderate reforms for Russia; emancipated the serfs; he was assassinated.

wrote Anna Karenina, War and Peace; Russian writer, realistic fiction; Well known author

Russia's great frontier region, a vast territory of what is now central and eastern Russia, most of it unsuited to agriculture but rich in mineral resources and fur-bearing animals.

Russian prison camp for political prisoners

Has a short growing season, the soil quality is poor, the biodiversity is low, has conifers such a cedar, spruce, pine, and fir; i

A Soviet leader during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the USSR began to dissolve into its component parts, some fifteen republics loosely confederated in the Commonwealth of Independent States, with Russia as the most powerful state. Gorbachev, now a leader w

Foundational groups of the russians. They mixed with the vikings to become Russians.

Sea in Northern Europe bordered by Scandinavian countries and Russia

Russian tsar (r. 1689-1725). He enthusiastically introduced Western languages and technologies to the Russian elite, moving the capital from Moscow to the new city of St. Petersburg.

This north-south range separates Siberia from the rest of Russia. It is commonly considered the boundary between the continents of Europe and Asia.

Deepest lake in the world

Head of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. His liberalization effort improved relations with the West, but he lost power after his reforms led to the collapse of Communist governments in eastern Europe. Last leader of the Soviet Union.

head of the Soviet Communists after 1924, and dictator of the Soviet Union from 1928 to 1953. He led the Soviet Union with an iron fist, using Five-Year Plans to increase industrial production and terror to crush opposition

Empress of Russia who greatly increased the territory of the empire (1

Capital of Russia

Large body of water separating Ukraine from Turkey

A mountain system in southeastern Europe between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.

Soviet secret police