The Siberian Steppe

The Siberian Steppe is a huge, flat grassland in Russia. Steppes are wide-open plains with few trees. The Siberian Steppe is part of the larger Eurasian Steppe that stretches from Europe all the way to Mongolia. Winters are bitterly cold and summers are warm.

The Land

The steppe is covered with grasses and small shrubs. Trees are rare because the land is too dry for forests. The soil is rich and dark. Strong winds blow across the flat land. In winter, temperatures can drop far below zero. In summer, wildflowers bloom across the grasslands.

Life on the Steppe

Many animals live on the steppe, including saiga antelope, wolves, and eagles. Nomadic peoples have herded horses, cattle, and sheep across the steppe for thousands of years. Today, some of the steppe has been turned into farmland for growing wheat and other grains.

Fun Facts

• The Eurasian Steppe stretches about 5,000 miles from Hungary to Mongolia.
• Genghis Khan and his Mongol warriors came from the steppe.
• The steppe has some of the richest soil in the world for farming.

Did You Know?

The Eurasian Steppe was like a highway for ancient peoples. Traders, warriors, and ideas traveled across it for thousands of years, connecting East and West!