Minnesota, Land of 10,000 lakes(and many more).

Minnesota is  known as The Land of 10,000 Lakes. Actually, according the official count, there are over 11,000 lakes. Basically, Minnesota's geography gives lends its nickname. Geography is also the determining factor for how Minnesota got its name. Minnesota's name comes from the Dakota word meaning "land of sky-tinted waters", referring to the lakes. 

In short, if you want to go fishing, Minnesota would be a great place to do, with ample fishing opportunities everywhere. 

               Lake Vermilion in Saint Louis County,Minnesota. Source: Star-Tribune

How Minnesota got those lakes has everything to do with geology. Much of Canada and the Midwestern USA had been covered in an ice sheet 1 million years ago. It was the Last Ice Age, however, that would be a major influence on Minnesota's geography. The constant movement of glaciers, scraping at the soil and rocks, and the glaciers retreating and melting, this helped to form the lakes in Minnesota. 

                  Map of North American glaciation, Shane A. Lyle Kansas Geological Survey

And that is how we have the Land of 10,000(and many more) Lakes.

Chernozem, the other black gold.

No, chernozem is not a type of petroleum. There is no drilling into the soil for this kind of black gold. It IS the soil. This is actually a very rich, black soil found in the nation of Ukraine, among some places. In fact, "чернозем (chernozem)" translated from Russian literally means "Black Earth". In Ukrainian, chernozem is "чорнозем(chornozem)", also meaning "Black Earth".

This "other black gold" is a very rich, quality soil that is wonderful for agriculture. There is a high percentage of humus in the soil, and there are many nutrients in this soil, such as phosphorus, among many. It has a superior water-holding quality, compared to other kinds of soils. This is very important, especially in the warm months when water evaporation is very likely. Soil that can hold moisture very well is very important for crops.

     Chernozem soil, Anatoliy Lisnyak, Samogo.Net

In the entire world, there are two chernozem belts. One chernozem belt stretches from Croatia and the Danube river valley to Siberia. Another chernozem belt can be found in the central Canada. Small concentrations of chernozem can be found in northern China and part of Poland.

             Map of chernozem concentration, FAO-GIS


One third of the chernozem in the world is found in the nation of Ukraine. And the thickness of the chernozem in Ukraine can be as much as 5 feet(1.5 m).Ukraine has been called "Breadbasket of Europe" because of large production of wheat, rye, and other grains. It was a major grain producer under the Russian Empire. During its days as part of the Soviet Union, Ukraine produced 25% of the Soviet Union's wheat.

It is still a major grain producer, ranking 11th in the world in wheat production. It is a major producer of sunflowers. Ukraine makes more sunflower oil than any other nation on earth. In fact, Ukraine's role as a grain producer plays a part in its national flag. Blue on the top for the sky, and gold on the bottom for the grains produced in Ukraine.

Wheat farm in Ukraine, Kiyiv Post

A large concentration of this relatively rare type of soil in a nation, in the 2nd largest nation in Europe, it has been a highly sought-after resource. Many empires have wanted to control this region because of its soil resources. The desire to control this land has played a part in World War One, Holodomor, Ukrainian Civil War, and World War Two.



Before there were fights over oil, there were fights for fertile soil. The chernozem was the Black Gold of its time, and in some ways, still is.

Denmark, leader in wind power.

     Wind farm off the coast of Denmark, www.power-technology.com


The nation of Denmark is a leader in wind energy for Europe. It has long since been a leader for wind power. This started in the 1970s. As Denmark had a relatively high carbon footprint at that time from the coal-fired plants in those days, there was a desire to seek out alternative energy choices. The use of wind power has continued today. 3.1% of Denmark's GDP comes from wind power. 30% of Denmark's electricity comes from wind power.

Denmark has average wind speeds of 4.9–5.6 m/s measured at a height of 10 m. For wind power purposes, this would not be impressive. However, Denmark has much higher wind speeds along the western coast of the country. Average wind speeds can reach 8.5–9.0 m/s at 50 m height. This is very good for wind power.

Wind speed map of Denmark. http://www.windpowerwiki.dk

This is how meteorological conditions can be used to an advantage. This is definitely taking place in Denmark. Why talk about meteorological conditions on a geography blog? Well, meteorology is a sub-field of geography. 

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MERRY CHRISTMAS from PanGeographic, part 2.

Merry Christmas from PanGeographic.

Many are familiar with the idea of Santa Claus. The association with the North Pole, however, is something that needs to be corrected. "Santa Claus" is a mythical figure, who was modeled after a real Christian saint, Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas is NOT FROM THE NORTH POLE. St. Nicholas came from Demre, which is in modern day Turkey.

                                 Satellite Map of Demre

Map of Turkey showing where Demre is located

Maps from:

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=82652&src=fb

http://www.juancole.com/2010/12/santa-claus-was-from-turkey.html/demre

MERRY CHRISTMAS from PanGeographic.

Merry Christmas to everyone. Hope everyone is having a good day. And Happy Birthday to Christ the Lord.

In the spirit of Christmas, which is about the birth of Jesus Christ, this is a map detailing where Jesus Christ was born. This map shows what it was like in Biblical times. However, this is more of a modern interpretation of it.

Where Bethlehem is today, map is courtesy of wikimedia commons.

A diamond in the cold.

Yakutsk is located in the northern reaches of Siberia, in what is known as Yakutia. It has the distinction of having the coldest winters for a big city.  With winter temperatures averaging −38.6 C(−37.5 F) in January, Yakutsk has the coldest winter temperatures for a city of 100,000 or more residents. Temperatures have been recorded as low as -63 C(-83 F).

However, this very frigid corner of the earth also has an economic importance. Yakutia is a major diamond mining region. Yakutsk is the second largest producer and exporter of diamonds in the world. Although the mines in Yakutia are located west of Yakutsk, 1/5 of the world's diamond production is in Yakutsk. It is this contribution that makes Yakutsk, and Yakutia, a place of economic important. A place many people have not heard of, but has its own distinction as a very cold city, and a major diamond production center.

Geographic Role of New Orleans Coffee Culture.

If one ever takes a trip to New Orleans, one of the many cultural aspects to be noticed is the food. Obviously, there will be things like mufalettas, gumbo, and po' boy sandwiches. However, New Orleans is home to a unique coffee culture. Coffee has been a part of the New Orleans culture since the 19th century. One place one may want to check out is the history Cafe du Monde.

One thing noticed in the coffee is chicory, which makes it unique. However, the aspect of New Orleans coffee culture is how it got started. In alot of places in America, coffee was that "work a day" kind of thing. In New Orleans, it has a different flair, a different flavor(no pun intended). Geography is a part of it. 1/3 of coffee imports have to pass through New Orleans before hitting the shelves in other parts of the nation. New Orleans has been a major port for bringing in coffee since the 19th century. Why? It's proximity to Latin America plays a part in this.

Watch this video:

The American City of Bridges.

Located at the confluence of the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny rivers, is the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

It is know as the Steel City. There is another name for Pittsburgh, the city of bridges. One distinction that Pittsburgh has is this: There are 446 bridges in this city.

Roberto Clemente Bridge, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

There is a geographic importance to these bridges. Think of Pittsburgh from a topographic and physical nature, and then look at it on a map.

This is a hilly city, characteristic of being in the Western Allegheny Plateau eco-region. There are also three rivers going through Pittsburgh. And now look at Pittsburgh on a map. The rivers, hills, and ravines give Pittsburgh a dissected character. The three rivers(for which the former Three Rivers Stadium was named) divided the city into three major parts. There is also Brunot Island in the Ohio River. The Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar section is on both sides of the Allegheny River.

This is where these bridges come into importance. With such a fragmented geography, there is a major necessity to connect the three parts of Pittsburgh. One has to be able to get to all parts of the city. There would be immense isolation without these bridges. Hills, rivers, and other geographic features in the Pittsburgh area render difficulty in the transfer of information, ideas, goods, and other things, in today's era. In earlier times, boat travel might have been the thing to use. However, for a city like Pittsburgh, access to people, goods, and services is a necessity. Bridges make traveling through Pittsburgh easier.









http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g53449-Pittsburgh_Pennsylvania-Vacations.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Roberto_Clemente_bridge.jpg

Last images of summer.

As of midnight, 22 Sepetember 2013, autumn will begin. However, these are some last pictures of summer 2013, specifically pictures of the last sunset of the summer. These are all taken around Paulding County, Georgia,USA.

When will the leaves change its colors?

This map is by The Weather Channel. This is a showing of the normal peak periods for when the leaves are at the optimal autumn color.

If one is to analyze the map, there are many conclusions to gather from this. Among them, elevation being a major factor. The areas with the earliest peak dates are often in the highest elevations. This would make sense considering that the areas with the highest elevations tend to get colder earlier. Places further north have earlier peak dates, due to weather conditions.

Another thing to consider is the types of trees in an area. Obviously, the autumn foliage is going to be with deciduous trees, those that lose their leaves in autumn. Places with large numbers of evergreen trees may not see much autumn foliage. And many places do not have large numbers of trees at all.

Tropical Storm Ivo: Storm tracks and predictions

According to information from the Christian Science Monitor, the National Hurricane Center and NOAA is tracking Tropical Storm Ivo. There is a tropical storm warning for the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula in Mexico. It has been stated that a direct landfall isn't likely, but that heavy rain is expected from the storm. This was the map as of 5AM 24 August 2013.




















As of 8AM 24 August 2013, computer models have predicted a different storm track. Rather than to barely skirt the coast, the storm is predicted to be further away, and then downgrade to a tropical depression.

In addition to the maps provided, this article from USATODAY on 23 August 2013,
http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2013/08/23/tropical-storm-ivo-eastern-pacific-southwest/2691959/

it was predicted that flooding might come to the Southwest USA as a result of the storm. This was a day before.


Map of Tropical Storm Ivo, 23 August 2013. The storm is much closer to Cabo San Lucas,Mexico

Could flooding come as a result? It is a possibility. It could happen. It might not. According to the maps and computer models, the storm track predictions have changed, within hours. The storm could still shift.

Rainbows.

This video was filmed during a rainstorm. The general idea was to get a video about rainbows and how they form. Rainbows are part of geography too because they are caused by rain, which is a meteorological event.

Video below:

What geography has done for Mombasa, Kenya.

Along the southern coast of Kenya lies the second largest city in Kenya. A city that dates back to 900 AD.This has historically been a hub for trade, being located along the Indian Ocean. Mombasa has done trade with Persia, India, China, and other places in the east. Major trade items included ivory, gold, and spices.

Because of its location, many empires have wanted control of Mombasa. It has been ruled under different empires throughout its history. It was a strategic location.

However, Mombasa didn't just become a port as a part of some random coincidence. Good ports need good deep water harbors. Mombasa has that. There is a reason this has happened. There is a physical phenomenon called ria. Kilindini Harbor is Mombasa's port. Ria makes this possible. A ria is a deep water channel formed when sea levels rose and covered up a river valley. This has produced a natural harbor, making Mombasa a major port city in East Africa, and a major trading hub in its early days. 

Map of Mombasa.

Valparaiso,Chile: San Francisco of South America.

The city of Valparaiso grew from a small village to one of the most important ports of the Pacific during its glory days. It would be named "Little San Francisco" by sailors passing through this port.

To understand Valparaiso, it is important to understand its geography.

As has been mentioned before in other entries, ports don't just happen. There are certain reasons for these ports being placed where they are. In the case of Valparaiso, it was its deep bay that would provide a natural harbor for this city. This would be helpful for ships looking for a place to dock.

Being a major port in the Pacific, it attracted immigrants from Europe. It was also a major stopover for ships traversing between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans via the Straits of Magellan. During Valparaiso's golden age, the California Gold Rush was taking place, and Valparaiso was a supplier for ships headed for San Francisco.

There are some parallels. Both cities were founded by the Spanish, as their Spanish names would indicate. Both were once ruled by Spain. Valparaiso and San Francisco are hilly cities. Both cities experienced a severe earthquake in 1906. Both cities are located along a major earthquake fault. Both cities are known for their fog. Both cities have trolleys. Valparaiso has steep stairways in the cityscape, similar to what San Francisco has. Both places has an eclectic mix of architecture. Like San Francisco, Valparaiso has some Victorian architecture. It many ways, Valparaiso is literally like the San Francisco of South America.

As geography helped Valparaiso, it also hurt When the Panama Canal was opened in 1914, ships no longer felt is necessary to traverse the straits of Magellan. Rather, ships could pass through the Panama Canal on their way to other Pacific ports or on their way to Atlantic ports.

However, in recent years, Valparaiso has witnessed a revival, a renaissance of sorts. With Chile being a major fruit exporter, Valparaiso would be given an important hinterland. And the new Panamax ships can't fit through the Panama Canal, so Valparaiso is seeing more shipping traffic, and has regained its importance as a port.

Video on map scale, and how to measure distance. Check it out.

Could Tea Grow In The USA?

If one decides to drink a cup of tea, there is one thing to consider: Where the tea came from. Most of the tea that one drinks will most likely come from Asia, mainly India, China, or Japan. Having thought of this, it brings up an important question: Could tea grow in the USA?

Why ask this question? Well, it could be an important jump start to the economy to grow tea on a large scale in the USA. If grown in the USA, there would be a ready market for this tea, as many Americans and Canadians drink tea. The question is, however, could it be done?

Well, to figure this out, one must consider the climate types in which tea will be the most successful on a commercial scale. Although in theory, tea can be grown in marine climates, such as Washington State and in southern England, they aren't tea producing regions by any stretch. This is a plant that grows mainly in tropical and subtropical climates. At least 50 inches of rain per year are required for this plant, and it grows best in acidic soil. Basically, due to climate, this cuts out most of the USA. Most of the USA would be too cold or too dry for this plant to thrive.

This would basically leave the Southeast USA as a potential place to grow tea. In fact, there is tea being grown near Charleson,SC. The Charleston Tea Plantation is America's largest tea garden,which is found on Wadmalaw Island. It's also the first place in America to grow tea.

Charleston Tea Plantation

With tea being able to grow near Charleston,SC, there are other places, such as near Savannah,GA, and along the Gulf Coast region from Florida to Texas. There would be the potential to grow tea in the Deep South, mainly South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Texas would also have tea growing potential. The climate is good for grown tea. Tea grows best in USDA zones 7-9.

So really, it is a question of why MORE tea isn't being grown in the USA. If not climate, then could it be cost of production? Demand? Who knows. It leaves alot to think about.












Sources:
http://www.rodale.com/grow-your-own-tea

Minneapolis: City of Water.

Water has been an important factor in how many cities have formed. The city of Minneapolis is one particular case to analyze. One must look at historical geography to understand how physical geography has had an impact on economic geography.

The city of Minneapolis was built in 1856 as a town. Fort Snelling nearby had attracted people before. The city was incorporated in 1867. What made Minneapolis grow was its water resources.  Industry grew around St. Anthony Falls, the highest waterfall along the Mississippi river.

Map showing St. Anthony Falls is located

Picture of St. Anthony  Falls, 1860.


This waterfall provided a very important source of hydropower. With plenty of timber in Minnesota, sawmills operated from water power. With railroad service, grain and other goods would be shipped into Minneapolis. Flour mills would flourish in Minneapolis. One flour mill made enough flour to make 12 million loaves of bread per day. Companies like Pillsbury and General Mills would form. Minneapolis would get a nickname from this, "the mill city".

Water played a very important part in Minneapolis' history. It was with water that hydropower was used to power the mills, and helped Minneapolis grow.

Minneapolis is also home to 6 lakes. It has developed the nickname "city of lakes" for this very reason. The cities lakes are very important sources of recreation for many residents. Activities such as fishing, swimming, ice skating, and boating are among the forms of recreation that residents can do at these lakes.These lakes formed as a result of glaciers melting and retreating. The melting and retreating of glaciers left behind lakes in Minneapolis, as well as the rest of Minnesota. It also carved out how the Mississippi river would flow through the rocks and soil. Minneapolis' name comes from the Dakota work "mni" and the Greek word "polis", literally translating to Water City.

Minneapolis can be thought of as the Water City. Water has played an important role for the Twin Cities. This aspect of physical geography has historically been important to the economy, and helped the city grow.

Sources: http://www1.umn.edu/marp/dig/site3.html
http://www.fromsitetostory.org/tcm/tcmintro.asp
http://www.fromsitetostory.org/sources/papers/mnarch49/49a-concl.asp

Murmansk, the Great Arctic Port

Try to imagine a port city above the Arctic Circle. For some people, such is possible. For others, there is an err of distrust towards such an idea. Well, this is a possibility. In fact, this is the case.

Now try to imagine an Arctic port for which the waters off of the coast remain ice-free all year long, even on the coldest of winter nights. Some people will find this even more impossible. One often cannot imagine the Arctic without imagining the water freezing over.

Actually, this is already happening. And that city of Murmansk, Russia. Murmansk is a the largest port city north of the Arctic Circle, as well as being the largest city north of the Arctic Circle. It's location is in the Murmansk Oblast, 12 km from the Barents Sea, inside of a fjord. 

And despite being so far north, it remains an ice free port. Murmansk is also the last city to be founded before the collapse of the Russian Empire. It was founded in 1916. It was World War One. Russia needed an ice-free location to have supplies shipped. A railroad was built up to the Murman Peninsula because it was an ice-free location. It's original name was Romanov on the Murman.

 How is it that Murmansk, which is so far north, can remain ice free? Well, it has alot to do with ocean currents. It starts with the Gulf Stream. This warm ocean current flows north all the way to Norway and reaches Murmansk. This warm current keeps the waters at Murmansk ice free in the winter. The current works like a conveyor belt, carrying relatively warm water to an otherwise cold location.

Map explaining how Murmansk is ice free.

Murmansk is important because of its location along ice free waters. It is home to a large icebreaker fleet. There is a Russian Navy base in its satellite city, Severomorsk, and 41% of marine transportation comes from this region. This has made Murmansk an important Russian port. 

Sources: http://www.seos-project.eu/modules/oceancurrents/oceancurrents-c03-p01.html
http://englishrussia.com/2011/02/15/severe-arctic-murmansk/

Lake Issyk-Kul: The Hot Lake

Located in the eastern portion of the nation of Kyrgyzstan, Lake Issyk-Kul is a lake of wonders. For starters, its size. As far as lakes at large are concerned, this is the 10th largest lake in the world by volume. If one were to count only alpine lakes, this is the second largest alpine lake in the world(Lake Titacaca is the largest alpine lake in the world). Lake Issyk-Kul has a slight saline content as well.

Another thing to consider about the lake is this. This lake NEVER freezes, except for only the most shallow areas of the lake, such as the coves. Lake Issyk-Kul is located in the high altitudes, at 1607 m above sea level. It is also ringed by the Tian Shan Mountains, which are capped with snow. In fact, Issyk-Kul's name is Kyrgyz for "hot lake".

Why does Lake Issyk-Kul never freeze? Well, one reason to consider is this. Even thought Lake Issyk-Kul has a slight saline content, but only a slight saline content. Salt in water will lower the freezing point of  water. However, the salinity of Lake Issyk-Kul is 0.3%, so the effect of salt water might play a part, but not as much as it would for an ocean, which would have a higher salt content.There is another reason that has been looked at. There are warm springs at the bottom of the lake. Because of these warm springs, this lake never freezes. so even on the coldest winter day in this portion of Kyrgyzstan, the lake stays liquid.

Lake Issyk, a lake of wonders.

Image source: http://www.steppejourneys.com/p/combined-country-tours.html
Other sources: http://www.globalnature.org/24451/LIVING-LAKES/Asia/Issyk-Kul/02_vorlage.asp
http://www.issykkulinvest.kg/en/why-issykkul-oblast/tourism/Recreation-zones/Issyk-Kul-Biosphere-Area/
http://www.happytellus.com/lake-issyk-kul/kyrgyzstan
http://aslo.org/lo/toc/vol_47/issue_4/1210.pdf

Detroit: More Than Cars, part II. The Detroit River

Click to this link: http://pangeographic.blogspot.com/2012/11/detroit-more-than-cars.html

If one takes a look on that post, one will understand the purpose of this post 

In the last post, there were many things about Detroit that were mentioned, how Detroit is more than just automobiles, on how geography has been significant for Detroit. This is part II of this.

In part one, it was mentioned that Detroit was a major shipping center. Well, there will be a bit more on this subject. This will be about the Detroit river. 

The Detroit river has played an important role for Detroit. It was lightly touched on that is was a major shipping center. However, this is the extent to which it was a major shipping center. The Detroit river, in 1908, was the busiest commercial river. Over 67 million tons of shipping commerce went through the Detroit river at this time. This is more than three times what New York City had at that time period. This is much more tonnage than London had at the time. The waters of the Detroit river were very busy, and it did play a part in Detroit growing  It was important to industry. Detroit Dry Dock's engine works was a major shipbuilder during its time. 

The Detroit river was also important for the fur trade. Having a centralized location, and being in the middle of a region rich in fur resources at the time, it made perfect sense to build Fort Pontchartrain de Détroit along the Detroit river. Ample water resources for travel, and a strategic location helped Detroit in the fur trade.

On another note, there is something else about the Detroit river. It is home to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. It is the only wildlife refuge in the world that is in two different nations. 

Detroit in more than just the Motor City. It is a city whose growth and history have been linked to its waterways. It is a city that has a deep history. If one looks past it's history as a city of automobile, one can see it has been many things to many different people. The historical and geographic roles of Detroit have been significant. The Detroit river has played a big role for this city. However, it is such a history that isn't always been recognized.

Image Sources: maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca

Easth Observatory

http://www.fws.gov/refuge/detroit_river/

Information: 

Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter by Richard Glaeser.

The Trans-Siberian railroad;A massive geographic feat.

From the European plain of Russia to the Pacific coast, crossing many time zones, going across 17 rivers, traveling through 2 continents, and many different land forms. That is only a small part of what the Trans-Siberian Railroad is.

The line starts in Moscow, and ends at Vladivostok, in Russia's far east. There is the Trans-Mongolian Railway and the Trans-Manchurian Line. You start from Moscow, but rather than go all the way to Vladivostok, you stop at Ulan Ude and follow the railroad to Beijing via Mongolia. This is the Trans-Mongolian Railway. To travel the Trans-Manchurian Railway, one stops at Chita, and takes that railroad spur to Beijing via the Jilin province of China(formerly known as Manchuria).

In many ways, the Trans-Siberian Railroad is a major geographic feat. The distance of this railroad is quite telling. It is the world's longest railway line.There is literally no other railway line to cross TWO(2) continents. It is one reason it is such a geographic feat. However, this is not the biggest reason why.

In order to get the whole idea of this railroad, one has to know the work that it took to get this railroad built.

Millions of people moved to Siberia from the western portion of Russia. between the 19th and early 20th century.  Many were settlers. Many were also prisoners exiled there. For a long time, Siberia had issues with transportation. Before the building of the railroad, rivers served as the main transportation source, when the rivers were not frozen. When the rivers froze over, the rivers were used for transporting goods via carriage or any other form of transportation not involving water. The Great Siberian Route was a major road of transportation.

Previous railway projects for Siberia had been proposed before, but were basically ignored. It was thought to be impossible to build a railway across all of Russia, all the way to the far eastern reaches of Siberia. However, in 1890, the building of the Trans-Siberian Railroad would commence in 1891.It was constructed between 1891 and 1916. Like the American railroad, the Trans-Siberian started building at two different ends. One part started in western Russia, and the other part started in the far eastern part of Russia, around Vladivostok.

Building across long distances was going to be hard enough. However, there were many geographical challenges along the way. Permafrost was one major factor. Digging through permafrost in the 1890s would have been a very difficult task, going through frozen soil. When the soil thaws, its muddy and not stable. There were also strong rivers, many lakes, and swamps. Mountains had to be crossed as well. The Siberian winters are quite harsh as well. Animals were a factor as well. With bears and tigers around, there was an added danger of being killed via being attacked. Building around Lake Baikal was difficult. Because of the lack of flat coastline, tunnels had to be built out of the hills or platforms had to be made.

Another thing to consider was the onset of the Russo-Japanese War during the early 1900s. With Japan across the water from Russia(on the Pacific side), there was a rush to connect both the western and eastern spurs to get soldiers and weapons to Japan via Vladivostok.

The railway line is also of importance economically. It is a major supply line for Siberia's large cities and populated areas in Siberia. It has helped the development of industry and agriculture in Siberia, and cities along the line have developed, such as Krasnoyarsk, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Omsk, and other Siberian cities. Siberia's population has grown along the rail line. The rail line has helped in transporting resources such as coal, timber, and iron.


The Trans-Siberian Railroad is a major geographic feat because of the distances spanned, the economic benefits it provided, and furthermore, the battle of many geographic challenges, such as the weather, and geological problems. This railway was built against all odds, and still runs today.

Vladivostok Station.

Sources:
http://www.coolfamily.com/Siberia.htm
http://books.google.com/books?id=mDJjgJWT34AC&pg=PA60&lpg=PA60&dq=trans+siberian+railway;swamps;mountains,permafrost&source=bl&ots=sM5Adc6BWH&sig=9-fU4ztIzwOA8LK7YjVg8xaI7Jk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=9E3TUeneO4OQ9gT5h4DYDA&ved=0CFEQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=trans%20siberian%20railway%3Bswamps%3Bmountains%2Cpermafrost&f=false

http://www.irkutsk.org/fed/transsib.html
http://www.frontiersoftravel.com/journey_summary.php?name=Trans-Siberian_Railway
http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/12/08/transsiberian_to_expand_as_russia_turns_east05189.html
http://www.russianlessons.net/articles/transsiberianrailway.php?lang=english
http://torussia.org/trans-siberian_railway
http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/comp/cw24transrailroads32101525.htm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/journeysbyrail/9666654/Trans-Siberian-Great-Train-Journeys.html