The region occurs as a broad belt in Europe, Asia and North America between the mid-latitude of Grassland region in the south and polar Tundra in the North. The region has short warm summer and long cold winter. Rivers remain frozen and snow cover the ground for many months. Annual precipitation is moderate in amount with maximum during summer. Coniferous forests occur extensively. These trees are evergreen and the needle shaped leaves prevent loss of moisture by transpiration. The forests contain soft wood trees like oak, birch, and maple. The forests are relatively free from undergrowth.
Winters are long and hard. Temperature is below freezing for more than six months. Summers are short. July averages are normally about 60°F. Generally the growing seasons last from 90 to 100 days on the southward part, but the number of days go on decreasing towards the poles. The only sources of relief is continentality, as on account of this region in the interiors of Asia, winters become colder and summer become warmer when compared with North American regions.
In summer cyclonic activity causes 10 to 20 inches of rainfall annually. Snowfall is common and covers a very large area for more than six month.
Here lies one of the biggest forest belts of the world known as Taiga or northern coniferous forest. Spruce, larch, fir and pine are the important trees. The height of the trees varies from 30 to 50 feet. Animal life in Taiga region is better than Polar Regions. Caribou, reindeer moose and elk are the main animal species found here. Fox, martin and mink etc. are the source of getting fur for trade purposes. Birds such as grouse, woodpecker and grosbeak are common. Mosquitoes, flies and gnats infect the atmosphere and are disease spreading agents.
This region is unattractive for the obvious reasons. Populations is sparse and thousand of square miles are totally without population. European Russia, Sweden and Finland are comparatively more thickly populated than the areas fringing poleward. Average density in whole region does not exceed more than two persons per square miles.
In long summer days, some agricultural activity takes place and vegetables, grains, potatoes turnips, radishes, peas, cabbages, rye, oats and certain fruits are produced here. Canada, Sweden, Finland and Russia, on account of scientific developments are paying more attention to farming. Forests of the region have been very useful for increasing the economic standard of the people. timber and pulpwood are the main produce of the region. Newsprint paper is produced here particularly in Canada in a big way. Logging is also common. Fur industry is flourishing. Fox and minks provide the needed material.
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page", St. Augustine said. Here at www.travel-university.org we believe that every page must be read and explored. Travel is an avenue of learning that no text or classroom can teach. The world is a living classroom and you the student. We invite you to the www.travel-university.org library where you can read general interest and detail oriented articles.
