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A Geography of Russia and Its Neighbors Second Edition

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Authoritative yet accessible, the definitive undergraduate text on Russian geography and culture has now been thoroughly revised with the latest data and hot topics, such as the political crisis in Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol. Thematic chapters provide up-to-date coverage of Russias physical, political, cultural, and economic geography. Regional chapters focus on the countrys major regions and the other 14 former Soviet republics. Written in a lucid, conversational style by a Russian-born international expert, the concise chapters interweave vivid descriptions of urban and rural landscapes, examinations of Soviet and post-Soviet life, deep knowledge of environmental and conservation issues, geopolitical insights, engaging anecdotes, and rigorous empirical data. Over 200 original maps, photographs, and other figures are also available as PowerPoint slides at the companion website, most in color.

New to This Edition

  • Separate chapter on Ukraine and Crimea.
  • Timely topics—the political crisis in Ukraine and annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol; the return of Putin as President; climate change and environmental degradation; economic slowdown; political shifts in the republics; the role of Russian-backed forces in Syria, Libya, and Central African Republic; changes in Russia–United States relations, and more.
  • Thoroughly updated population, economic, and political data.
  • 80 new or updated figures, tables, and maps.

Pedagogical Features

  • End-of-chapter review questions, suggested assignments, and in-class exercises.
  • Within-chapter vignettes about Russian places, culture, and history.
  • End-of-chapter Internet resources and suggestions for further reading.
  • Companion website with all figures and maps from the book, most in full color.

Mikhail S. Blinnikov, PhD, is Professor of Geography and Graduate Coordinator at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. A native of Moscow, Russia, he has traveled extensively in the former Soviet Union, including doing field work on the White, Baltic, and Black Seas; in Central Russia; on the Volga; and in Crimea, the Caucasus, and the Altay. Besides his work in Russia, he has visited Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan on extended field trips. Dr. Blinnikov’s research focuses on the late-Pleistocene biogeography of grasslands; phytolith analysis; remote sensing and geographic information systems; protected natural areas and green spaces in and near cities; young naturalist movements; and Orthodox religious landscapes. He has worked with the Biodiversity Conservation Center, the Center for Russian Nature Conservation, Nearby Nature, The Nature Conservancy, and the World Wildlife Fund Russia, among others. He has also worked as an interpreter and translator for Russian–American exchanges and has written two books in Russian. He is a past president of the International Phytolith Society and president of the Eurasian Specialty Group of the American Association of Geographers.

•Definitive text, updated: 40% new material includes new data, political and economic changes, 80 new photographs, and new and updated tables and maps.
•Features a new separate chapter on Ukraine and discussions of Putins return as President, the annexation of Crimea, changes in the republics, and more.
•Russian-born scholar fully covers the physical, cultural, political, and economic geography of this critical region.
•Organized by both themes and regions for flexibility in teaching.
•The books 200+ photographs, maps, figures, and tables can be downloaded as full-color PowerPoint slides at the companion website.

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