Natural and climatic zones of Russia

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Natural and climatic zones of Russia
Natural and climatic zones of Russia
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Russia is the largest state in terms of area, which is territorially located on the continent of Eurasia. The Russian Federation has a huge extent from north to south and from west to east. Its climatic conditions are quite varied.

What are climate zones?

The main characteristic of individual zones is the climate - the interaction of temperature, humidity, air currents, solar intensity. Natural-territorial complexes have the character of latitudinal or sublatitudinal bands encircling the entire territory of the globe. They differ in climatic conditions, soil cover, relief features, representatives of flora and fauna. On the territory of Russia, climatic zoning is applied. The state is located in the following belts:

  • Arctic;
  • subarctic;
  • moderate;
  • subtropical.

Territorial division

climatic zones of Russia
climatic zones of Russia

The first belt covers the islands, as well as the coast of the Arctic Ocean. In the territory located from the East European Plain and Western Siberia to 60 degrees north latitude, a subarctic climate dominates. Most of Russia is located in the temperate zone. Which can be divided into:

  • temperate continental,
  • continental,
  • sharp continental,
  • monsoon.

The territory of the European part of Russia is located in the temperate continental climate zone. Western Siberia and the territory of the extreme southeast of the East European Plain are located in the zone of the continental climatic zone. The territory of Central Siberia is a zone of a sharply continental belt. The Far East is characterized by a monsoon climate.

The smallest is the territory located in the subtropical climate zone. This is the Black Sea coast.

Delimitation of Russian territory

Russian climatic zones 6 9
Russian climatic zones 6 9

Climatic zones of Russia can be determined using a special temperature map. The territory on the map is divided into regions with similar natural conditions. Each area is characterized by an average annual minimum temperature range. The dates of the first autumn and last spring frosts can also be additionally indicated.

The natural and climatic zones of Russia are located in the temperature range from minus five in the warmest regions to minus sixty in the coldest. You can determine the region in which the desired site is located simply by looking at the map. Or, if greater accuracy is required, you can calculate it yourself by obtaining the arithmetic mean of the temperatures in the selected zone over the past ten years or more.

Eternal Frost Zone

1 climatic zone of Russia
1 climatic zone of Russia

The first climatic zone of Russia is tundra or arctic and subarctic. Most of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) can be attributed to it. So, in its eastern part, average annual temperatures prevail, reaching minus forty-five degrees Celsius. The 1st climatic zone of Russia is characterized by very cold, long winters with little snow and short, relatively warm summers. This zone is characterized by a short frost-free period. This condition has a huge impact on the development of the flora. Bonsai trees and shrubs grow in this zone.

For growing crops, this climatic zone gives only a few warm summer months, during which the permafrost recedes and frees up small patches of land for planting for the most stubborn and resourceful farmers. Nevertheless, the widespread use of greenhouses, frost-resistant and early-ripening crops makes it possible to harvest almost all known vegetables and fruits even in these harsh conditions.

Taiga climatic zone of Russia

Russian climate zone 2
Russian climate zone 2

A vast territory can be attributed to the second climatic zone. This is almost the entire territory located between the European part in the west and the third climatic zone in the east, stretching along the entire coast. This zone extends from Karelia to Kamchatka. Winter temperatures are moderate. However, the territory located in the east of this zone has more severe winters. So, in Eastern Siberia, a severe winter period with little snow is accompanied by a decrease in air temperatures to minus forty or forty-five degrees Celsius. The climatic zone of Russia 2 is characterized by very severe weather conditions. Increased dampness contributes to soil cover with mosses. The soil is cold and wet. Near water bodies, the soil temperature is somewhat warmer, but even this is not enough for the production of crops. Also, a complicating factor can be considered a strong freezing of the earth in winter.

Forest-steppe and steppe climatic zones of Russia

3 climatic zone of Russia
3 climatic zone of Russia

Climatic zones three and four include the most densely populated part of the country. This strip is located all the way from the Murmansk and Arkhangelsk regions practically through the entire European part of Russia to the border with Kazakhstan and ends in the Altai Republic.

Also, the 3rd climatic zone of Russia captures the Far Eastern regions of the country along the entire eastern coast and includes parts of the regions. These are the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, the Kamchatka Territory, the Magadan Region, the Khabarovsk Territory, the Sakhalin Region, the Primorskaya Region and the Jewish Autonomous Region. The monsoon climate prevails in this area. Cold snowy winters give way to cool and wet summers. Frequent fogs and typhoons are typical.

Steppe - 4th climatic zone of Russia. Territorially it includes the Lower and Middle Volga regions, the North Caucasus, and the Southern Urals. As well as the southern regions of Western and Eastern Siberia. This zone is characterized by cold winters and dry summers. In central Russia, one can single out the territory adjacent to the shores of Lake Baikal. Here, due to geographical factors, a kind of temperature oasis has formed.

Dry steppe climate zone

natural climatic zones of Russia
natural climatic zones of Russia

This region is territorially located from the Eastern Ciscaucasia to the Sub-Ural plateau. Also, the fifth climatic zone includes areas of the Kulunda steppe and territories located in the intermountain basins of Tuva and Transbaikalia. The area is characterized by dry summers with moderate temperatures. Winter frosts are heterogeneous throughout the territory. The eastern regions of the fifth zone experience more severe winters.

Sixth-ninth climatic zones

4 climatic zone of Russia
4 climatic zone of Russia

Based on the map of Russia's climatic zones, built on long-term observations and analysis of temperature regimes in various parts of the country, we can say that the entire territory of the country is located in temperature regions from the first to the ninth.

Russian climatic zones 6-9 include mainly the southwestern regions of the country. These natural complexes can be characterized as follows:

  • 6- desert-steppe;
  • 7-desert;
  • 8-foothill semi-desert;
  • 9-mountain.

The belt extending from the sixth to the ninth zone provides the most favorable conditions on the territory of Russia. The southern coastal region along the Caspian Sea can be classified as zone seven, while the warmest zone is six.

The southeastern region of the Russian Plain and part of the Caspian lowland are occupied by deserts and semi-deserts. These climatic zones of Russia are characterized by high summer temperatures and low ones in winter. A small amount of precipitation has an impact on the aridity of the climate. This zone is characterized by drought-resistant flora.

In the zone of deserts and semi-deserts, the region of the Volga delta and the Akhtuba floodplain occupies a special place. The life-giving moisture of the river turns the territory into a green oasis.

The warm mild climate of the Caucasus makes it possible to include this territory in zones nine and eight. They can be characterized by rather mild and warm winters. The temperature regime of this period practically does not go into the negative temperature range. This factor contributes to the rich diversity of vegetation.

Finally

Russia's climatic zones are diverse. Knowledge about each of them is indispensable for everyday life and is applied in a wide variety of industries. These or other natural conditions impose certain restrictions both during construction and when using this or that equipment. When conducting economic activities, the climatic conditions of the zones are necessarily taken into account. The nature of Russia continuously challenges man, trying to test his strong-willed and spiritual qualities. But, no doubt, no matter how difficult the conditions, no matter what dangers are hidden, a person will always find a rational solution and a way out of a difficult situation, and the earth will be covered with sprouts of young plants, new buildings will appear, and nature will submit to man.

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