New geographies . stern Eussia, on the other hand, istoo dry for agriculture without irrigation. Thisis the region of the steppes, which resemble thearid lands in our Western States; here graz-ing is the leading industry. In central and southern Russia wheat,rye, oats, and other grains are , this is one of the Agriculturalleading grain-growing sec- productstions of the world. Other importantproducts are potatoes, hay, flax, andhemp. In the extreme southern partthe climate is so mild that such cropsas cotton and tobacco are produced. More than one third ofRussia is covered with for
New geographies . stern Eussia, on the other hand, istoo dry for agriculture without irrigation. Thisis the region of the steppes, which resemble thearid lands in our Western States; here graz-ing is the leading industry. In central and southern Russia wheat,rye, oats, and other grains are , this is one of the Agriculturalleading grain-growing sec- productstions of the world. Other importantproducts are potatoes, hay, flax, andhemp. In the extreme southern partthe climate is so mild that such cropsas cotton and tobacco are produced. More than one third ofRussia is covered with forest,so that lumbering is a veryimportant industry. Russia is also a noted mining coun-try. It is one of the leading gold-producing nations, and so much petro-leum is found here that it is used as afuel in factories, steamboats, and railwayengines. There is, however, little iron andcoal mining, and partly on this accountmanufacturing is not greatly developed. Lutabering,mining, andmanufacturing 204 WORLD GJEOGBAPHT. Fig. 259. —Reindeer used in winter for drawing sleds over the snow-covered ground of northern Russia. One reason why all the industries of Russia,including manufacturing, are very backward,is the condition of the people. Until a fewyears ago, the great mass of the common people,or peasants, were really slaves. These peasants,called serfs, had hardly any education, and weretreated much as dogs and horses are treated. The serfs have now been freed, but they arestill very ignorant, and are not allowed to takeany real part in the government. Few of themcan read and write, and few know what otherpeople in the world are doing. Such peoplelack the knowledge and ability necessary formanufacturing and other industries. Since Russia is mainly an agriculturalcountry, its exports are largely foodproducts and raw materialsfor manufacture, and itsimports are chiefly manufactured different this is from England,Germany, and France ! Russia is unfortunate in lacking goods
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectgeography, bookyear19
