RUSSIA
«officially Russian Federation , Russian Rossiya or Rossiyskaya Federatsiya country that stretches over a vast expanse of eastern Europe and northern Asia. Once the preeminent republic of the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.), Russia has been an independent country since the dissolution of the union in December 1991. Under the Soviet system it was called the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic (R.S.F.S.R.). With an area of 6,592,800 square miles (17,075,400 square kilometres), Russia is the world's largest country, covering almost twice the territory of either the United States or China. It ranks sixth in the world in population, following China, India, the United States, Indonesia, and Brazil. The great majority of the people are Russians, but there also are some 70 smaller national groups living within its borders. Most of the population is concentrated in a great triangle in the western, or European, part of the country, although over the past three centuries—and particularly during the early and mid-20th century—there was a steady flow of people eastward to the Asiatic section commonly referred to as Siberia.»
from Encyclopædia Britannica 2006 Ultimate Reference Suite DVD
Geography
Read and translate the text.
1.vast – обширный, огромный
2.to be densely populated – быть густонаселенным
3.the rest – оставшаяся часть
4.tostretch- протягиваться
5.toborderon– граничить с (чем-либо)
6.tovaryfromsmth.tosmth. – варьировать, изменяться от чего-либо до чего-либо
7.plain - равнина
8.resource - ресурс
9.oil - нефть
10.naturalga– природный газ
11.coal- уголь
12.iron- железо
13.zink- цинк
14.lead- свинец
15.nickel- никель
16.aluminium- алюминий
17.gold- золото
18.non-ferrousmetal– цветной металл
19.deposit- месторождение
20.wealth – богатство
Russia is one of the largest countries in the world. The vast territory of Russia lies in the eastern part of Europe and the northern part of Asia. Its total area is about 17 million square kilometres.
The European part of Russia is densely populated. About 145 million of people live in the country; 82% of the population are Russians, the rest are smaller national groups.
Russia stretches from the Baltic Sea in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east and from the Artic Ocean in the north to the Black Sea and the Caucasus, the Altai, and the Sayan mountains, and the Amur and the Ussuri rivers in the south.
Russian shores are washed by 12 seas of the Atlantic, Pacific and Artic Oceans.
It borders on many countries, such as Norway, Finland, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus in the north-west and west, China, Mongolia, North Кorea, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in the south-east and south.
Due to the large territory, the climate varies from artic in the north to continental in the central
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part of the country and subtropical in the south. The greater part of the territory is a vast plain with low mountain ranges and long rivers. There are about 2 million rivers and 2 million lakes in the country.
Russia is rich in mineral resources. They include oil and natural gas, coal, iron, zink, lead, nickel, aluminium, gold and other non-ferrous metals. Russia has the world’s largest oil and natural gas deposits. Three-quarters of the country’s mineral wealth is concentrated in Siberia and the Far East.
Answer the following questions.
1.Where does the vast territory of Russia lie?
2.What oceans is Russia washed by?
3.What countries does it border on?
4.What is the population of Russia?
5.What territory does it occupy?
6.What mineral resources does Russia possess?
Translate into English:
1. Россия расположена в восточной части Европы и северной части Азии.
2.Обширная территория России омывается Северно-Ледовитым, Атлантическим и
Тихим океанами.
3. Россия граничит с Монголией, Китаем, Финляндией и другими странами.
4. Россия располагает большим количеством месторождений полезных ископаемых.
5. Полезные ископаемые России включают нефть, газ, уголь, железо, золото и др.
Read and say how the transport system of Russia is described.
Can you add any facts and figures about the rail network of our country?
Transportation
1.raw– сырой
2.foodstuffs– продовольствие, продукты питания
3.consuming- потребительский
4.burden– груз; бремя
5.dominance – влияние; преобладание
6.toaccountfor– отвечать за что-либо
7.freight - грузовой
8.turnover - оборот
9.nevertheless– однако; тем не менее
10.density– плотность, густота
11.tremendous – огромный, громадный
12.to determine - определять
13.to occupy - занимать
14.carrier- перевозчик
15.van– фургон; багажный или товарный вагон
16.cargo- груз
17.load– груз; нагрузка
18.capacity– вместимость; способность
19.car- вагон
20.diverse– разнообразный, разный
21.togain– получать, приобретать
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22.impetus– толчок, импульс, стимул
23.principal– главный, основной
Russia’s vast size and the great distances that often separate sources of raw materials and foodstuffs from consuming areas place a heavy burden on the transport system. One result has been the continuing dominance of the railways, which account for about 90 % of the country’s freight turnover and one-half of all passenger movement. Nevertheless, the rail network is very open one, and its density varies regionally: highest in the Northwest, Central and Central Black Earth regions, lowest in Sibera and the Far East.The tremendous area and population in the country determine the necessity for a widely developed transport system. The railways in Russia occupy an outstanding position as freight and passenger carrier. Specialized vans carry cargo and
mail. Direct passenger service is available to many places. The railway system is equipped and supplied with powerful locomotives, high load capacity freight cars and special cars for transporting diverse goods.
The Trans-Siberian track is one of the most important passenger lines of Russia. Up to 25 passenger trains leaving Moscow daily go along its tracks. Top class service trains like ‘Russia’, ‘Irtysh’, ‘Siberia’,’Baikal’ and some others gained high reputation and popularity. A new generation of more comfortable passenger cars is joining the park. A visit of President Vladimir Putin to the Far East and a detailed inspection of railways operations in Siberia, the Baikal region and the Far East gave a new impetus to further development of the rich and perspective land.
Many international organizations have included the Trans-Siberian railway in their projects as a principal transportation line between Europe and Asia.
Comment on the following quotations.
1.’After the discovery of America and the construction of Suez Canal there was no other historic
development that had as deep direct and circumstantial implications as the construction of the
Siberian track did have.’ ‘La France’, 1903, Paris.
2.’God made the country, and man made the town.’ William Cowper.
3.’The Great Siberian railway breathed life into boundless Siberian lands.’Vitte.
4.’Settlers in Siberia mean everything. They are bringing life there and by cultivating virgin
lands they add millions of obscure acres to agricultural output.’Stolypin.
Read the text and tell about new facts
you’ve known about RZD Co*.
Make a plan of your answer.
RZD currently consists of 17 regional railways, frequently operating under extreme climatic conditions. Since 2001 the structural reform programme has been implemented on the Russian Railway network. The four principle goals of the reform programme are:
reducing the cost of rail freight;
meeting the increasing demand for rail services;
stabilizing operations so they are safe accessible to all users as well as providing good quality service;
creating a harmonized and integrated transport system.
The programme is to be fully carried out by 2010. The adopted Law on Federal Railways fixes the statutory framework and defines the interrelationships that allow privately owned train operating companies to use the infrastructure. The infrastructure will be managed by a new joint-stock “RZD Co”, which will own locomotives and about half of the wagons. However, all the shares in new joint-stock “RZD Co” will be held by the Federal Government, which means that
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the national rail network will remain under public ownership and control.
Specialized freight operating, long-distance and commuter passenger service companies are now being set up, as well as rolling stock repair and maintenance companies. They will be pushed towards commercial operation.
Despite the desire to introduce competition, the Russian government has no intention of allowing fragmentation to undermine the integrity of the national network.
In parallel with the reform programme, a new operational model has been developed . Local
operations, ensuring that trains depart on time, freight trains are correctly formed, and locomotive and crew changes go according to plan, are handled at divisional control centers.
Data processing systems served by satellite and optic fiber links are getting closer to tracking locomotives and wagons in real time.
Both the management of RZD and the government are confident that carrying out the reforms will improve both the quantity and quality of rail transport, and at the same time cut operating expenses.
*ОАО РЖД
Choose a topic to make a report (about 150-200 words).
Use additional information.
1.Transport system of Russia.
2.’The Great Siberian Track’.
3. Russian railways.
4. RZD Co.
Read some extracts about Russian Economy today*.
Translate the texts in a written form.
Make a list of difficult words. Translate them and learn by heart.
Write out the main ideas of these extracts .Discuss them in pairs.
A decade after the implosion of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia is in the process of establishing a modern market economy. It was able to achieve strong economic growth (5,5% for 2001). Russia achieved a slight recovery in 1997, but the government's stubborn budget deficits and the country's poor business climate made it vulnerable when the global financial crisis swept through in 1998. The crisis culminated in the August depreciation of national currency, the ruble, a debt default by the government, and a sharp deterioration in living standards for most of the population. The economy rebounded in 1999 and 2000, buoyed by the competitive boost from the weak ruble and a surging trade surplus fueled by rising world oil prices. This recovery, along with a renewed government effort in 2000 to advance lagging structural reforms, have raised business and investor confidence over Russia's prospects in its second decade of transition. The most important industries are complete range of mining and extractive industries producing coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of machine building from rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and space vehicles; shipbuilding; road and rail transportation equipment; communications equipment; agricultural machinery, tractors, and construction equipment; electric power generating and transmitting equipment; medical and scientific instruments; consumer durables, textiles, foodstuffs, handicrafts.
***
The Russian economy has undergone vital structural changes since reforms started ten years ago. However, they have so far failed to liquidate the main shortcoming- its heavy reliance on the
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production of raw materials. They account for 75 percent of all export receipts and for 90 percent
of the country's export potential alongside with the products of military-industrial complex. Large natural monopolies like Gazprom, the United Energy Systems of Russia, the Ministry of Railways and some other monopolies still form the backbone of the Russian economy. Their activities are characterised by a large degree of state intervention in setting tariffs for their products and services.
***
FREIGHT TURNOVER: The amount of cargoes loaded on railway transport increased by 1.3 percent to 448.7 million tonnes in the first half of 2001 compared to the first six months of 2000.
The loading volumes stood at 87.2 million tonnes in June this year which was up 1.0 percent on June 2000 and down 2.3 percent on May 2001. The loading of coke dropped by nine percent,
iron and manganese ore by 4.3 percent, ferrous metal scrap by 5.1 percent, cargoes meant for construction by 4.1 percent, import cargoes by 5.6 percent. The loadings of bituminous coal increased by 3.8 percent, oil and petroleum products by 1.5 percent, non-ferrous metal ore by 2.4 percent, ferrous metals by 3.0 percent, cement- by 9.9 percent, timber by 3.0 percent, grain and flour products by 20.1 percent, formula feeds by 16.5 percent chemical and mineral fetilizers by 0.1 percent. The amount of loaded cargoes (calculated for one day) reached 100.9 percent in June compared to May 2001. Freight turnover on Russian transport increased by an estimated 2.3 percent to 1,831.7 km-tonnes as compared to the first six months of 2000.
***
At present Russian business is at the stage when common rules of the game are being established for it, irrespective of a businessman's connections with the power bodies. Businessmen gradually are accepting the idea that laws are to be observed and all taxes are to be paid. The government has declared provision of stable conditions for effective economic development as a priority goal.
Government
Warm-up.
Answer these questions about Russia. If possible, ask someone else the same questions.
1.Which party is in power at the moment?
2.When were they elected?
3.Who is the leader of this party?
4.Is this person the President or Prime Minister of your country?
5.Do you agree with most of their policies?
6.Would you describe yourself as left-wing, right-wing, or in the centre?
7.Do you think your political views have changed much during your lifetime?
8.How many major (=important) political parties are there?
9.Who did you or your parents vote for in the last election?
10.Do you think this party will win the next election? Will you vote for them?
Read the text and study the diagram below.
Then use them to answer the questions that follow.
1.branch– ветвь, отделение, власть (власть как часть правительства)
2.legislative- законодательный
3.executive- исполнительный
4.judical- судебный
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5.council - совет
6.court - суд
7.supreme - верховный
8.banner- знамя
9.stripe- полоса
10.tostandfor– символизировать, означать
11.tosignify– значить, означать
12.liberty- свобода
13.hymn- гимн
14.coat of arms – гербовой щит, герб
15.ancient – древний
Russia is a federation. The Head of the State in this country is the President. The government consists of three branches : legislative, executive and judicial. The President controls each of them.
The legislative power is exercised by the Federal Assembly consisting of two chambers: the Council of Federation and the State Duma.
The executive power belongs to the Government, or the Cabinet of Ministers. The government is headed by the Prime Minister.
The judicial power belongs to the system of courts consisting of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and other courts.
Today the state Russian banner is three coloured. It has three horizontal stripes: white, blue and red. The white stripe symbolises the earth, the blue one stands for the sky, and the red one signifies the liberty. It was the first state symbol that replaced the former symbols in 1991. The hymn of Russia has been created by Alexandrov and Mikhailkov. Now the national coat of arms is a two-headed eagle. It is the most ancient symbol of Russia. It originates from the heraldic emblem of the Ruricovitch signifying the succession of the Russian state from the Byzantine Empire.
The system of government of the russian federation
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HEAD OF THE STATE THE PRESIDENT elected for 4 years by direct popular vote(over 35 years old: a citizen of Russia, a resident of the country for at least 10 years)
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LEGISLATIVE AND REPRESENTATIVE BRANCH FEDERAL ASSEMBLY the COUNCIL of FEDERATION the STATE DUMA two representatives from each 450 members elected for 4 years subject of Federation
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EXECUTIVE BRANCH the GOVERNMENT of the RUSSIAN FEDERATION the PRIME MINISTER the CABINET appointed by the President and formed by the Prime minister and approved by State Duma approved by the President
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JUDICIAL BRANCH the CONSTITUTIONAL the SUPREME the ARBITRATION COURT COURT COURT All appointed by the Council of Federation
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Read and translate the text.
Answer the following questions.
1.What is the form of government in Russia?
2.What branches does the government consist of?
3.What is the legislative power exercised by?
4.What body does the executive power belong to?
5.What does the system of courts consist of?
6.What are the national symbols in Russia?
7.Do we have a president? A prime minister?
8.How is the President of the Russian Federation elected?
9.Who can be the president of our country?
10.How many members are there in the State Duma?
11.How often do we re-elect the State Duma?
12.Who makes the Council of Federation?
13.Do we have any political parties in our country?
14.What parties do you know?
15.Does the party that wins the most seats in the State Duma choose the prime minister?
16.What is the way of appointing the prime minister in our country?
17.Who forms the Cabinet of ministers?
Sum up the text.
Tell your teacher about Russian system of government.
Translate into English:
1.Исполнительную власть представляет кабинет министров,
возглавляемый премьер – министром.
2.Судебная власть осуществляется Конституционным судом, Верховным судом
и другими судами.
3.Россия – федерация; законодательная власть в стране принадлежит
Федеральному собранию.
4.Правительство Российской Федерации состоит из законодательной, исполнительной и
судебной властей, подконтрольных президенту.
5.К государственным символам относятся флаг, гимн и герб.
6.*Российская Федерация-это государство, построенное на федеральной основе . Она состоит из субъектов федерации, включающие автономные республики и другие территориальные образования.
7.*В соответствии с Конституцией принятой в 1993 году, государственную власть в Российской Федерации осуществляют Президент Российской Федерации, Федеральное Собрание, Правительство России и суды.
8.*Конституция гарантирует основные права и свободы каждого.
9.*Президентом может быть гражданин Российской Федерации не моложе 35 лет, постоянно проживающий в России не менее 10 лет.
10.*Президент назначает премьер-министра, который становится главой правительства (кабинета министров).
11.*Президент является Верховным Главнокомандующим Вооруженными силами. Он
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формирует и возглавляет Совет Безопасности Российской Федерации.
12.*Президент обладает полномочиями назначать выборы Государственной Думы, распускать Думу, вносить законопроекты на рассмотрение в Госдуму подписывать и обнародовать федеральный закон.
Read the text for 2 minutes then close it.
What can you remember about Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin?
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Tell the class two things you discovered about Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.
With a partner, decide what questions you can ask a famous politician.
For example: What’s your full name?
“Where/when....born? “Describe your typical day.....”
“How tall....?” “Tell me about.....”
“How many.....?” “What about.....?”
“What is/are your.....?” “Anything else?”
“Who’s your favourite...?”
“.....married?”
“What’s/are your favourite....?”
Additional reading
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The State Flag of the Russian Federation
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The State Flag of the Russian Federation is an official symbol of state power; embodies state sovereignty. -9- On December 11, 1993, President B.N. Yeltsin of the Russian Federation signed Decree "On the State Flag of the Russian Federation" and approved Statute of the State Flag of the Russian Federation. The documents say this: "The State Flag of the Russian Federation shall be a right-angled piece of bunting of three equivalent horizontal stripes: upper, white; middle, blue; lower, red in colour. The ratio of the flag's width to its length shall be 2:3." In fact, the State Flag of the Russian Federation reproduces the merchant marine flag that existed in Russia since 1705 (from 1873 on, it was considered a state flag along with the Romanovs' black-gold-white dynastic flag). The exact order of stripes on the flag is known since Peter I's times as well: the upper stripe is white, the middle blue, and the lower red. The arrangement of the stripes fitted in with the ancient concept of the world: the physical and carnal world is below, the heavenly world is above it, and the divine world is superimposed upon the two. In the 19th century, the stripes were made to symbolize the concord of the three East Slavic peoples: the Byelorussians, the Ukrainians, and the Russians. In Old Russia, the colors of the flag were always symbolic of human qualities: white, nobility and frankness; blue, fidelity, integrity, irreproachability, chastity; red, courage, audacity, self-sacrifice, magnanimity and love. The state flags of the Russian Federation are hoisted atop the buildings of the supreme bodies of state power and administration, embassies, trade missions, consulates of the Russian Federation abroad, are flown by ships in the high seas and in the territorial waters of foreign states, etc. The State Flag of Russia is hung on a specialized flag-pole (mast) in front of a building or atop a building. Whenever raised vertically, the white stripe shall be on the left and the red stripe on the right. |
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Capital
1.tomention- упоминать
2.chronicle– хроника, летопись
3.frontier settlement– пограничный поселок
4.unique- уникальный
Moscow is the capital of Russia, its administrative, economic, political and educational centre. It is one of Russia’s major cities with the population of about 10 million people. Its total area is about 900 thousand square kilometres.
The city was founded by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky and was first mentioned in the chronicles in 1147. At that time it was a small frontier settlement. By the 15th century Moscow had grown into a wealthy city.
The present-day Moscow is the seat of the government of the Russian Federation.
Moscow is a major industrial city. Its leading industries are engineering, chemichal and light industries.
Moscow is known for its many historical buildings, museums and art galleries, as well as for the famous Bolshoi, Maly and Art theatres. There are more than 80 museums in Moscow, among them the unique Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts and the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Andrey Rublyov Museum of Early Russian Art and many others.
Moscow is a city of science and learning. There are over 80 higher educational institutions in the city, including a number of universities.
Read and translate the text.
Answer the questions.
1.What is the role of Moscow in Russia?
2.When was Moscow founded? Who founded Moscow?
3.Why do we say that the year of 1147 is only the official date of the foundation of Moscow?
4.What part does the present-day Moscow play in the life of Russia?
Translate into English:
1.Москва – административный, экономический, политический центр России и один из
крупнейших городов страны.
2.Население Москвы – около 10 миллионов человек, общая площадь –900 кв. километров.
3.Москва была основана Юрием Долгоруким и впервые упоминалась в летописях
в 1147 году.
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4.Из пограничного поселка Москва превратилась в процветающий город.
5.Москва – крупный промышленный город, город науки и образования.
Write a list of your favourite Moscow sights. Tell your groupmates about them.
Write a letter to your penpal describing one of the most Moscow sights(150-200 words).
Quiz*
Put a tick () next to the correct answer.
1.When was Moscow first mentioned in the records?
a) 1380 b) 980 c) 1147
2.Who headed the liberation movement in the 14-th century?*
a) Prince Dmitry Donskoy
b) citizen Minin and prince Pozharsky
c) Ivan III
3.When did Moscow become the capital of Russia?
a) in the 15th century
b) in the 12th century
c) in the 16th century
4.What happened to Moscow in September of 1812?
a) rebuilt b)set ablaze c) a great festival was held
SUPPLEMENTARY READING.*
RUSSIAN RAILWAYS
First bricks in the foundation of Russia’s railway were laid in 1834, when Demidovs’ metallurgic works in Nizhny Tagil designed and built Russia’s first steam-engine and a 3.5-km railway. They were created by Cherepanovs, father and son, who were serfs, mechanics and inventors at the same time. After working at Moscow and Saint-Petersburg factories and a few European enterprises, they had a lot of experience. Using it, they built about 20 steam machines for production and transportation purposes. But creation of a steam-engine undoubtedly was to become their greatest triumph. It’s worth mentioning that first cast-iron tracks appeared in Russia as far back as in the 18th century. But they were used only in mineral resource and metallurgical industries.
Top state officials quite often expressed their doubts about economic cost-effectiveness of building railways in the country. But advantages of transport of this kind, as well as considerable profits it was yielding in Europe’s developed countries (e.g., in England), made an impression on the Russian Emperor. On April 15,1836, Nikolai I issued a decree about building a railway from Petersburg to Tsarskoe Selo. 18 months late, on October 30,1837, the siren by the steam-engine hailed the launch of Russia’s first public railway. A little later the line was extended to Pavlovsk. Its terminus was turned into a ‘voksal’-one of the country’s most famous pleasure houses. Wealthy people from Saint-Petersburg made special arrangements to come there. It was only much later that it turned into a railway station in its proper sense- station-wide premises for passengers. Thus began the history of Russia’s railways.
Render the text into Russian without a dictionary.
Check yourself.
Translate the following without a dictionary.
1.Россия – самая большая страна в мире с общей площадью около 17 миллионов кв.
километров, расположена в Восточной Европе и северной части Азии.
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2.Россия протянулась от Балтийского моря до Тихого океана и от Северного Ледовитого
океана до Черного моря.
3.Три четверти запасов полезных ископаемых страны сконцентрировано в Сибири, в том
числе нефть, природный газ, уголь, золото и цветные металлы.
4.Транссибирская магистраль включена в качестве приоритетного маршрута в сообщении
между Европой и Азией в проекты многих международных организаций.
5.Форма правления в России, одной из ведущих мировых держав,- федерация.
THE ECONOMY
From 1917 until 1991 Russia (then the R.S.F.S.R.), by virtue of its great size and abundant natural resources, played a leading role in the economy of the Soviet Union. Resources, in particular, made possible the main economic achievements of the Soviet regime until the 1950s: the rapid development of mining, metallurgy, and heavy engineering, the expansion of the railway network, and a massive increase in the energy supply. A second phase in Soviet industrial development began in the 1960s and also had a particularly strong effect on the Russian republic. In addition to further growth in established industries—especially in the production of oil, gas, and electricity and in the chemical industries—there was a marked diversification in industrial output, including a limited expansion in consumer goods. In the years before the dissolution of the Soviet Union, however, the economy of Russia and of the union as a whole was in a state of decline.
In 1992, after the collapse of the union, the government of the Russian Federation implemented a series of radical reforms designed to transform the Russian economy from one that was centrally planned and controlled to one based on free enterprise and market forces. Major components of the reforms included establishing privately owned industrial and commercial ventures, with foreign as well as Russian investment, and privatizing state-owned enterprises. Vouchers were issued to each Russian citizen that were to be used to purchase shares in firms being privatized, which often were sold at auction; in practice, these vouchers frequently were sold for cash and were accumulated by entrepreneurs. A commodity- and stock-exchange system also was set up.
The privatization process was slow, however, and many firms—particularly in the heavy industries—remained under state ownership. In rural areas, land-reform legislation offered farmers the opportunity to gain title to parcels of land. This conversion also was slow, as many clung to the old, familiar system.
At the outset, these measures caused considerable hardships for the average Russian citizen. The monetary system was in disarray: the removal of price controls caused a huge escalation in inflation and prices, the value of the ruble plummeted, and real incomes fell dramatically. Industrial and agricultural production declined, and unemployment rose, causing shortages of consumer goods and (in urban areas) foodstuffs. These difficulties were reduced to some extent by the rapid development of a large informal (i.e., black market) economy. A result of these trends was the appearance of a widening gap between the successful entrepreneur and average worker. Conditions began to improve by the mid-1990s, but both production and consumption remained below the peak levels achieved under the Soviet regime.
In addition to these difficulties, Russia and other republics had been subjected to serious, long-term environmental degradation during the Soviet period, the full extent of which became apparent only in the 1990s. The most visible aspects of this situation—such as the Chernobyl
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accident and its aftermath and the drastic reduction in the water volume of the Aral Sea through inflow diversions—were only symptomatic of decades of wasteful agricultural practices and resource exploitation and of widespread industrial pollution. Addressing environmental concerns placed another burden on Russia's already overwhelmed economic structure.
The economic foundation of the country itself remained similar to that which had been developed during the Soviet period. For purposes of description, it is convenient to refer to the official set of 11 economic regions into which Russia is divided. In Europe the regions are the North, Northwest, Central, Volga-Vyatka, Central Black Earth, North Caucasus, Volga, and Ural, and in Asia they are West Siberia, East Siberia, and the Far East.
Read the text. Answer the following questions.
1.What does the word «economy» mean?
Give your own idea and compare it to the dictionary definition.