As a geographer, I am both happy and saddened by the breakup of the Soviet Union. Happy, because we lost one nation but gained 14 new ones. Saddened, because the Soviet Union was one of the most interesting and culturally and geographically diverse countries on earth. Because let's face it, Russia on its own is nowhere as interesting as the whole of the Soviet Union once was. Here are the 15 nations that made up the once great Soviet Union.
MOTHER RUSSIA
Russia was the nation that first conquered the 14 other nations to create the Soviet Union, and had it not been for the U.S., they would've had Afghanistan too. Although the country dissolved in 1991, Russia still got to keep a huge chunk of its territory. Despite its large size and geographic diversity however, the nation doesn't have as much to offer as some of it's former territories. The majority of the country is vast wilderness, much of which remains off limits to foreigners. The majority of the nation's population and historic sites are located in the European section of the country. That being said, most Russian cities are fairly modern, dating from the 1800s, with it's oldest sites dating to around the 1400s. However, one thing Russia has going for it are it impressive cathedrals, which are considered to be the most beautiful in the world. Oh and they also have tigers, leopards, bears, reindeer and musk ox. And the world's coldest city. And volcanoes and geysers. And indigenous tribes. Okay, Russia is pretty cool after all.
ESTONIA
Estonia gained its independence from the Soviet Union on August 20, 1991. When this happened, the nation lost its most beautiful cities, including the UNESCO World Heritage site of Tallinn, considered by many to be the most beautiful city on the Baltic. It also lost some really beautiful women.
LATVIA
Latvia officially gained its independence on August 21, 1991. Culturally, the loss wasn't too significant as aside from the capital city of Riga and some nice beaches, the nation didn't have a whole lot to offer visitors. To the Soviets however, it meant the loss of one of their most important Baltic ports.
LITHUANIA
Lithuania gained independence from the Soviet Union on March 11, 1990. This loss was a little sadder, as some of the Soviet Union's most beautiful castles, cities and beaches were located in Lithuania. These days, the nation has a large Polish population, as well as the highest population of neo-Pagans on earth, which would have been unheard of during the Soviet times.
BELARUS
Belarus gained its independence from the Soviet Union on August 25, 1991. Although this is one of less interesting nations that made up the Soviet Union, it did have an impressive fortress, castles, and miles of unbroken forest and marshland, including the Bialowieza Forest, which is home to the oldest forest on earth, as well as the last original population of European bison. These days, despite some modernization, Belarus is the only sovereign nation in Europe where you can still feel what the Soviet Union was like. This is mostly in thanks to the policies of their corrupt dictator, Alexander Lukashenko.
UKRAINE
Ukraine gained it's independence from the Soviet Union on August 24, 1991, and was by far one of their most devastating losses. In addition to losing the Crimean Peninsula, which was the favorite vacation spot of Soviet government officials, the nation also lost some impressive churches, castles and cities, as well as the only Roman site in the Soviet Union. Not to mention some sexy women. Good news however, at least for the Russians, is they have now at least gotten back Crimea and those Roman ruins. As great as Ukraine was, it was also where Chernobyl happened, so in retrospect, the Soviets are probably glad they lost it. These days however, the nation is home to the largest population of ethnic Russians in the former Soviet Union. Most of them live in the east of the country, and the Russians kind of want that back too now.
MOLDOVA
Moldova gained its independence from the Soviet Union on August 27, 1991. This was the smallest of the European Soviet Republics and also probably the least interesting. The country had an impressive fort, a few hills with some ruins and cave churches, a few Orthodox churches, and not much else. Its' industry was mainly tobacco. The breakup of the Soviet Union was a greater loss for Moldova than it was for the Soviets. Moldova is now the poorest nation in Europe, and also has one of the world's highest sex trafficking rates, and is home to the only city in Europe where gypsies make up the majority of the population.
GEORGIA
The Republic of Georgia gained its independence from the Soviet Union on December 25, 1991. In terms of sites and geography, this was by far the most interesting of the Soviet Republics and a truly devastating loss. That day the Soviet Union lost their most beautiful coastline, tea fields, and one of its most beautiful cities, as well as ancient cave dwellings, spectacular mountains and amazing culinary and folk traditions, along with some sexy girls and some great chess players. The loss was especially devastating to them as Georgia was the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. For this reason, Georgia was allotted more rights and freedom than the other Soviet republics. In 2008, Russian troops invaded Georgia and occupied the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which remain disputed areas to this day.
ARMENIA
Armenia, the smallest of the former Soviet republics, gained its independence from the Soviet Union on September 21,1991. Like its neighbor Georgia, Armenia was spared the worst of Soviet rule, mainly due to its role in the nation's science, medicine and aerospace industries. This was the Soviets' biggest lost, along with some talented chess players. Aside from that, the country wasn't much different from Georgia in terms of sites and culture. These days, it is still the most technologically advanced former Soviet nation. Sadly however since the break up of the Soviet Union, it has been in ongoing conflict and territorial disputes with neighboring Azerbaijan.
AZERBAIJAN
Azerbaijan, the first Muslim nation on our list finalized its independence on Christmas Day of 1991.
Aside from losing some cultural treasures, especially in Baku and the disputed region of Nagorno Karabakh, the Soviet Union lost its most beautiful women, and one of its biggest oil and caviar reserves, as well as one of the nation's strangest geologic areas. These days the nation is seldom visited by foreigners, due to its ongoing dispute with Armenia, and its strong anti-American sentiment.
KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan officially gained its independence on December 26, 1991. Russia excluded, it is the largest of the former Soviet Republics and is not as backwards as Borat made it look. The loss of Kazakhstan meant a loss of vast steppe, desert, rock formations and cotton fields, as well as the Caspian Sea, and one of the world's only lakes to contain both fresh water and salt water. Since its independence, the nation has become fairly modernized, constructing a new capital and mosques.
UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan also gained its independence on December 26, 1991. This was the heart of Muslim Russia, and by far the Soviets' biggest loss, in terms of cultural treasures. The nation's most spectacular buildings and ruins were located in Uzbekistan, the most impressive of which being its centuries old madrassas, and the world's oldest observatory. The girls also weren't bad looking. Uzbekistan was also the site of a Soviet chemical weapons plant, which was located on an island in the Ural Sea. For this reason, tourism to the region was strictly limited. Despite the strict ban on religions, Muslims aren't ones to compromise when it comes to local custom. My dad said two of his friends went to Uzbekistan during Soviet times, and locals threw rocks at them for wearing shorts in the middle of summer. I am thrilled to say that Uzbekistan has since evolved. Despite it's authoritarian government, which still limits tourism, Uzbekistan is one of the more secular Muslim nations, and has managed to avoid any major terror attacks or destructions to its heritage. It is considered the most interesting county in central Asia.
TURKMENISTAN
Turkmenistan's independence was also recognized on December 26, 1991. As is the case with Uzbekistan, the loss of Turkmenistan also meant the loss of great cultural treasures, most notably the ruins of Merv, which at one point was the largest city on the Silk Road. Aside from that, the Soviets lost access to the Caspian Sea and massive reserves of natural gas. Today it remains the most Soviet of the Soviet era countries, with large statues of its authoritian leader, Soviet era plazas and buildings, and restricted travel. This is one nation that doesn't want Americans to visit. Yeah, not much has changed. This is the closest you'll get to experiencing what life was like in the old Soviet Union.
KYRGYZSTAN
Kyrgyzstan's independence was officially recognized on Christmas Day of 1991. The loss of Kyrgyzstan was more cultural and geographical than it was economical. The nation lost some of its most beautiful mountains, as well as nomadic traditions such as falconry. These days, Kyrgyzstan remains one of the most unspoiled and least visited countries on earth, but remains fairly stable and secular, despite a history of kidnapping. Unfortunately the break up of the Soviet Union lead to the resurgence of backwards traditions such as bride kidnapping, which was prohibited under Soviet occupation. Today, there are many Kyrgyzstan people living in Russia, many illegally, and unfortunately some of them have committed terror attacks against the nation.
TAJIKISTAN
And lastly we have Tajikistan. This is probably another nation you have never heard of. Tajikistan's independence was officially recognized on December 26, 1991. In terms of beauty, this nation probably comes in second after Georgia. The loss of Tajikistan meant the loss of some of the world's most spectacular mountains, which cover most of the country, as well as some old forts and mosques, and some very attractive women. These days, Tajikistan remains one of the poorest nations on earth, but for a Muslim county is considered fairly secular. Although Tajiks are extremely hospitable and welcoming of outsiders, in reality, the county's government does not want you coming here, and earlier this year, ISIS terrorists killed two American cyclists in the country.
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