An Environmental History of Russia - Paul R. Josephson, Paul Josephson, Nicolai Dronin, Ruben Mnatsakanian, Aleh Cherp, Dmitry Efremenko - Google Books

https://books.google.de/books?id=yD3pRavJxQEC&pg=PA52#v=onepage

The former Soviet empire spanned eleven time zones and contained half the world's forests; vast deposits of oil, gas, and coal; various ores; major rivers such as the Volga, Don, and Angara; and extensive biodiversity. These resources and animals, as well…