Page 401 review lesson

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What caused the balkanization on the Balkan Peninsula?

Balkanization was caused by centuries of deep-rooted ethnic and religious conflicts among the diverse groups living in the region. The collapse of the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires, followed much later by the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, triggered violent divisions as different nationalities fought to create their own independent, ethnically homogenous states.

In what way have the landforms in the Balkan Peninsula shaped the cultures of the region?

The rugged mountainous terrain (such as the Balkan and Dinaric Mountains) acted as geographic barriers that isolated different ethnic groups. This isolation prevented cultural blending and led to the development of distinct languages, customs, and identities, contributing to the region's history of fragmentation.

Why do few people live on the archipelago of Novaya Zemlya?

The primary reason is the harsh Arctic climate. Located far north, the islands are covered in ice and tundra, making agriculture impossible and permanent settlement extremely difficult. Additionally, the area was historically used as a nuclear testing site by the Soviet Union, leaving parts of it uninhabitable.

What are two important challenges to Russia’s forestry industry?

Accessibility and Transport: Much of Russia’s timber is located in remote, frozen areas of Siberia, making it difficult and expensive to harvest and transport to markets.

Environmental Management: Illegal logging and the lack of modern reforestation practices threaten the long-term sustainability of the forests.

Explain how the mineral resources in Russia are important to its industry.

Russia’s vast reserves of iron ore, nickel, aluminum, and precious metals are the backbone of its heavy industry. These minerals supply the raw materials needed for steel production, machinery manufacturing, and aerospace engineering, which are vital sectors of the Russian economy and its global export trade.

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