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Its location on the globe and its size creates extreme climates in Russia. Summers can be hot and humid, winters can be bitter cold, except along the Crimean coast where they are cool and wet.

Where the soil permits farming, the growing season is short and harsh and dedicated to grains, particularly wheat.

Coal, petroleum, natural gas, fishing and forest products contribute to Russia's economy, but with the dismantling of the Soviet Union in 1991, came unruly price hikes. Russia's people are struggling with the changes.