The Volga River

Terrestrial Ecology Introduction We know that light is an important part of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In a forest system both the canopy and the understory absorb light. The type of forest and leaf cover present determines the amount of light that reaches the understory. This can be measured using the LAI (Leaf Area Index), which is the amount of leaves per unit ground area. Light quantity in forests is affected by several factors such as tree species, age, and density. Looking

and longest river” (Curtis 125). Because Russian geography was so diverse and unlike that of any other country, Russia developed a culture that was unique and different from others. Throughout history, mountains such as the Ural Mountains, rivers such as the Dnieper River, and plains such as the Russian steppes have served an important role in the development of Russian culture and beliefs. Mountains have served as a natural barrier, and have limited Russian expansion, while rivers have made Russia

From its vast mountains to its extending rivers, Russia has been blessed with a variety of geographical features which have aided its preeminence in history. These features have immensely affected how Russia developed throughout the years. Russia is known to be the largest country in the world: it stretches about six thousand miles across Northern Asia and Eastern Europe. Because of its vast size and abundance of land, Russia has various different geographical features. It consists of the Eurasian

Russia is a huge landmass and covers a vast amount of the earth’s surface area. Being so large, Russia contains a huge variety of different geographical features. There are several mountains, rivers, bodies of water, climate zones, and population centers in Russia. Most of the development in Russia is located in its core area, east of the Ural Mountains. There are several countries around Russia that used to be parts of a larger union called The Union of Soviet Socialists Republics, however, in 1991

pushed from the west across the Volga River. Chasing the Soviet 62nd and 64th Armies into Stalingrad. Civilians did not have time for evacuation. The Soviet’s new of the upcoming invasion as they recently lost the supply depots west of the Don River. Germany had thought the taking of Stalingrad would be a short undertaking, this oversight of planning left the Nazi forces ill equipped to fight through the harsh Soviet winter. Soviet forces were pushed to the banks of the Volga, this actually gave them a

and farm land in Russia. Should they choose to emigrate to their. Catherine believed these highly skilled farmers and tradesmen would promote progress, leading to a more modern Russia. Many accepted her offer and colonized the Volga region first. to be known as the Volga Germans In 1804. Germans colonized the southern Ukraine More emigrated from Württemberg and Prussia. Until around 1812 and became

1925, it was then renamed Stalingrad in honor of Josef Stalin. The cities name was changed again in 1961 to Volgograd, meaning Volga City. This monumental battle is considered a turning point in the war on the Eastern Front. The invading Gerans saw the conquering of Stalingrad as essential to their campaign in Russia, because from this strategic point on the Volga River they could launch further assaults in the Caucasus. The Russians were determined to defend the city in any way as an important industrial

Before the Soviet Union dissolved into several smaller countries in 1991, it was a huge country covering around eight million square miles. However, most of the areas were not suitable to be occupied. They were either too cold, or too hot and too dry to be occupied. The best land in the Soviet Union was generally located inside the triangle Leningrad (A) - Lake Baikal (B) - Odessa (C) shown in Fig. 1. This was nine-tenths of the best land in the Soviet Union, where most cities, transportation systems

Soviets, unlike during the Battle of Moscow, had not placed all of their forces within the initial defense of Stalingrad. Rather, on October 11, 1942, German SIGINT assets reported a “comprehensive regroupment of Soviet forces between the Don and Volga” (Thomas, 1987). The early German intelligence reports concerning a large force mustered north of Stalingrad proved accurate, much to the dismay of Hitler and his senior military leadership. The Soviet military had changed course between its defense

They had few vehicles and had already traveled many miles by foot and were exhausted. At the same time, Paulus and his Sixth Army were crossing the River Don heading southeast towards Stalingrad (Macdonald 92). By the end of July, The German Air Force, the Luftwaffe, took over the Volga River so they could use it for bringing supplies over. The Volga River was no longer capable of being used by the Soviets for the time being. The battle would officially begin on August 23, 1942 when the Luftwaffe, started