It spanned over 10,000 kilometres (6,200 mi) east to west across 11 time zones, and over 7,200 kilometres (4,500 mi) north to south. It had five climate zones: tundra, taiga, steppes, desert and mountains.In 1991, the Soviet Union officially dissolved, marking the end of an era. Life after the collapse was filled with uncertainty. The transition to capitalism brought freedom but also hardship — unemployment, inflation, and inequality. For many, the Soviet Union remains a period of contradiction: remembered both for its repression and for its stability, unity, and sense of collective purpose.
