is an intergovernmental organization of fifty-four independent member states who were formerly part of the British Empire.

A long narrow inlet from the sea between steep cliffs or hills

an organization of twenty-seven European countries that seeks to form a single community that can compete economically and politically on a global stage

A long wall or embankment built to prevent flooding from the sea/A piece of low-lying land reclaimed from a sea or river, protected by dikes

a group of Western European and North American countries that has agreed to protect each other in case of attack; founded in 1949 in response to the spread of communism and the threat posed by the Soviet Union

Branch of Christianity that sought to reform or leave the Catholic church

A wind-formed deposit made of fine particles of clay and silt

a dry wind that blows from the leeward sides of mountains, sometimes melting snow and causing avalanches; term used mainly in Europe

a branch of Christianity that believes in the authority of the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope

a branch of Christianity found in the Byzantine Empire that split from Roman Catholic Church; believes in the authority of the Patriarch of Constantinople

The Soviet Union and the Eastern European countries that installed Communist regimes after World War II and were dominated by the Soviet Union.

relating to the Slavic alphabet derived from the Greek and traditionally attributed to St. Cyril; in modified form still used in modern Slavic languages

Process by which a state breaks down through conflicts among its ethnicities; one larger country (state) becomes numerous smaller nation-states that are generally hostile to each other.

Confederacy of independent states of the former Soviet Union that have united because of their common economic and administrative needs.

An accident at a nuclear plant in the Ukraine that released radioactive clouds over Europe

Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, three countries that border the Baltic Sea.

From Latin caesar, this Russian title for a monarch was first used in reference to a Russian ruler by Ivan III

Eleventh-century fortress in the heart of Moscow that has been the historical seat of Russian state power

Treeless plains, especially the high, flat expanses of northern Eurasia, which usually have little rain and are covered with coarse grass. They are good lands for nomads and their herds. Good for breeding horses: essential to Mongol military.

high-latitude evergreen forests, such as those in Canada and Siberia

Federal system of socialist republics established in 1923 in and around Russia; firmly controlled by Communist party and by Russian interests

A conflict that was between the US and the Soviet Union. The nations never directly confronted each other on the battlefield but deadly threats went on for years.

region of productive land in Russia rich in humus and nutrients

Constructed in 1870s to connect European Russia with the Pacific; completed by the end of the 1880s; brought Russia into a more active Asian role.