ABSTRACT
The territory of the former USSR covers 22.4 million km2, equivalent to almost one sixth of the world's habitable land. Vast areas, complex geographic relief and substantial climatic differences determine the great diversity of nature in the former USSR (Figure 1.1). 1.1 Landscape The western part of the former Soviet Union generally is characterised by vast lowlands and plains. The eastern part, from the River Yenisey to the Pacific coast is dominated by mountains and highlands. Mostly uninterrupted mountains form the southern border of the former USSR.
