Okay here is the question:
How does the ethnic and linguistic geography of Russia and the Near Abroad help us to understand ethnic tensions in the Caucasus region? What resource issues might further complicate these tensions? Give specific examples.
I really need help, I cant find the answer to this anywhere.
How does the ethnic and linguistic geography of Russia and the Near Abroad help us to understand ethnic tensions in the Caucasus region? What resource issues might further complicate these tensions? Give specific examples.
I really need help, I cant find the answer to this anywhere.
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The ethnic, linguistic and religious geography of the Southern Russian Caucasian region and Caucasian republics is much more complicated than the political borders show. There are a myriad of languages / cultures - some only spoken by handfuls of people. Added to this complex mix are tensions between various ethno-linguisitc-religious groups as well as between the modern republics: for example the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave is still an open sore between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and, of course, the various Chechen wars (the Chechen republic tried to break away from Russia).
Further to these, often ancient, animosities is the problems caused by the breakup of the Soviet Union. Many ethnic Russians lived in the Caucasian republics and remained their after independence - also in the breakaway region of Abkhazia all the citizens are also Russian citizens, which is why the Georgian assault on the region was met by the Russian Army.
There is a much more divisive problem in the region - oil. The Caspian Sea has rich oil and gas fields, but, to process and market this oil pipelines have to cross the Caucasian Isthmus to Turkey and the Black Sea. The pipelines are both a source of revenue and of tension, as the revenue they bring in is not necessarily benefiting all the people in the region.
Further to these, often ancient, animosities is the problems caused by the breakup of the Soviet Union. Many ethnic Russians lived in the Caucasian republics and remained their after independence - also in the breakaway region of Abkhazia all the citizens are also Russian citizens, which is why the Georgian assault on the region was met by the Russian Army.
There is a much more divisive problem in the region - oil. The Caspian Sea has rich oil and gas fields, but, to process and market this oil pipelines have to cross the Caucasian Isthmus to Turkey and the Black Sea. The pipelines are both a source of revenue and of tension, as the revenue they bring in is not necessarily benefiting all the people in the region.