Smolensk Oblast
Смоленская область | |||
---|---|---|---|
Oblast | |||
![]() Building of Smolensk Oblast Government | |||
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Smolensk Oblast in Russia | |||
Country | Russia | ||
Federal subject of Russia | Smolensk Oblast | ||
Federal district | Central | ||
Economic Region | Central | ||
Administrative center | Smolensk | ||
Basic law | Charter of Smolensk Oblast | ||
Established | September 27, 1937 | ||
Government | |||
• Type | Legislature | ||
• Body | Oblast Duma | ||
• Governor | Sergei Vladimirovich Antufyev | ||
Area | |||
• Oblast |
49,800 km2 (19,200 sq mi) | ||
• Rank | 53nd |
Smolensk Oblast (Russian: Смол́енская о́бласть, Smolenskaya oblast) is a federal subject of Russia (an oblast). Its area is 49,800 square kilometers (19,200 sq mi).[1] Population: 985,481 (2010 Census);[2] 1,049,574 (2002 Census);[3] 1,158,299 (1989 Census).[4]
History[]
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Smolensk was one of the most important economic and military centers of the Grand Princedom of Moscow. It was also a major commercial center, and home industry production reached high levels. Construction of the Smolensk fortress wall was an important event in the history of Russia. Smolensk Oblast was formed in September 1937 from the central and western districts of Western Oblast as the result of a reorganization of the latter oblast. The new oblast exceeded present-day Smolensk Oblast in both population and area.
Geography[]
The administrative center of Smolensk Oblast is the city of Smolensk. Other ancient towns include Vyazma and Dorogobuzh.
The oblast was founded on September 27, 1937.[1] It borders Pskov Oblast in the north, Tver Oblast in the northeast, Moscow Oblast in the east, Kaluga and Bryansk Oblasts in the south, and Mogilev and Oblasts of Belarus, in the west and northwest.
Climate[]
Smolensk Oblast has a temperate continental climate with warm summers and moderately cold winters. The climate is influenced by moist Atlantic air, but inflows of Arctic air masses are possible at any time of year. Winds are mainly from the west, southwest, and south; and the relative humidity is 81%. The average January temperature is −9.4 °C (15 °F), and the average July temperature is 17.1 °C (62.8 °F); average annual precipitation is 600 millimeters (24 in).
Administrative divisions[]

Administrative divisions of Smolensk Oblast
Smolensk Oblast is divided into 25 rayons (districts]] and 2 cities, which are further divided into 15 towns, 12 urban-type settlements, and 302 rural okrugs.
Urban Okrugs (Circles)
№ | Coat of Arms | Name of Urban okrug |
Area (km²) |
Population (2010). |
Population Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I | ![]() |
Smolensk | 288.5 | 326 863 | 1 |
II | - | Desnogorsk | 43.0 | 31 063 | 2 |
Rayons (Districts):
№ | Coat of Arms | Name of rayon | Area (km²) |
Area rank |
Population '000 (2010) |
Population rank |
Аdministrative center |
Population '000 (2010) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Velizh Rayon | 1473.0 | 19 | 12,217 | 15 | Velizh | 7,326 |
2 | ![]() |
Vyazma Rayon | 3352.7 | 1 | 78,057 | 1 | Vyazma | 54,645 |
3 | ![]() |
Gagarin Rayon | 2904.0 | 3 | 40,631 | 6 | Gagarin | 25,774 |
4 | ![]() |
Glinka Rayon | 1223.2 | 22 | 4,974 | 25 | Glinka | 2,000 |
5 | ![]() |
Demidov Rayon | 2512.2 | 7 | 14,932 | 11 | Demidov | 7,782 |
6 | ![]() |
Dorogobuzh Rayon | 1772.0 | 15 | 29,082 | 8 | Dorogobuzh | 11,089 |
7 | ![]() |
Dukhovshchina Rayon | 2610.0 | 6 | 16,495 | 10 | Dukhovshchina | 4,103 |
8 | ![]() |
Yelnya Rayon | 1808.2 | 13 | 14,769 | 12 | Yelnya | 9,910 |
9 | - | Yershichi | 1039.0 | 25 | 7,657 | 23 | Yershichi | 3,444 |
10 | - | Kardymovo Rayon | 1095.3 | 24 | 11,310 | 17 | Kardymovo | 5,145 |
11 | ![]() |
Krasnyi Rayon | 1507.7 | 18 | 13,700 | 13 | Krasnyi | 4,515 |
12 | ![]() |
Monastzrshchina Rayon | 1513.8 | 17 | 11,043 | 18 | Monastyrshchina | 3,921 |
13 | ![]() |
Novodugino Rayon | 1935.0 | 12 | 10,411 | 20 | Novodugino | 3,865 |
14 | - | Pochinok Rayon | 2380.8 | 8 | 33,751 | 7 | Pochinok | 8,975 |
15 | ![]() |
Roslavl Rayon | 3000.0 | 2 | 74,476 | 2 | Roslavl | 53,678 |
16 | ![]() |
Rudnya Rayon | 2111.0 | 10 | 24,551 | 9 | Rudnya | 10,029 |
17 | ![]() |
Safonovo Rayon | 2258.0 | 9 | 58,871 | 3 | Safonovo | 43,486 |
18 | ![]() |
Smolensk Rayon | 2895.0 | 5 | 45,081 | 5 | Smolensk | - |
19 | ![]() |
Sychyovka Rayon | 1791.1 | 14 | 13,405 | 14 | Sychyovka | 7,512 |
20 | Tyomkino Rayon | 1324.2 | 21 | 6,258 | 24 | Tyomkino | 2,692 | |
21 | ![]() |
Ugra Rayon | 2900.0 | 4 | 9.599 | 22 | Ugra | 4,510 |
22 | - | Khislavichi Rayon | 1161.0 | 23 | 9,913 | 21 | Khislavichi | 4,325 |
23 | ![]() |
Kholm-Zhirkovsky Rayon | 2033.4 | 11 | 10,943 | 19 | Kholm-Zhirkovsky | 3,470 |
24 | - | Shumyachi Rayon | 1367.7 | 20 | 11,413 | 16 | Shumyachi | 4,387 |
25 | ![]() |
Yartsevo Rayon | 1618.9 | 16 | 55,903 | 4 | Yartsevo | 48,829 |
Demographics[]
According to the (2002 Census), the national composition of the oblast was as follows:
- Russians: 93.4%
- Ukrainians: 1.7%
- Belarusians: 1.6%
- Armenians: 0.4%
- Gypsies: 0.3%
- Tatars: 0.2%
- Azeris: 0.2%,
and many other groups, none more than 0.2% of the population. (1.1% of the population did not state their nationality in the census.)
Economy[]
Smolensk Oblast is part of Russia's Central economic district. Industry in this district includes sectors such as engineering and metalworking (production of measuring and hydrometeorological devices, computer equipment, electrical appliances, refrigerators, automobiles, power-generating and store equipment, and aircraft manufacture), the chemical industry (production of ammonia, saltpeter, fertilizers, and plastics), light industry (production of clothing, and cotton and linen fabrics), the food industry, and brown coal and peat production.
Nearly 40% of the industrial production potential is concentrated in the city of Smolensk. Diamond cutting companies have the largest share of GDP. The largest of these companies is the Kristall State Unitary enterprise (GUP Kristall) in Smolensk. Smolensk is also a major center of the engineering and metalworking industries, with the instrument-making, electronics, electrical, and auto industries having the largest share of GDP among engineering companies.
Notable people[]
- Isaac Asimov, born in Petrovichi
- Yuri Gagarin, born in Klushino
- Shmuel Schneersohn, born in Lyubavichi
See also[]
- Katyn massacre
- 2010 Polish presidential airplane rash
References[]
- ^ a b Исполнительный комитет Смоленского областного совета народных депутатов. Государственный архив Смоленской области. "Административно-территориальное устройство Смоленской области. Справочник", изд. "Московский рабочий", Москва 1981. Стр. 8
- ^ "Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года. Том 1 [2010 All-Russian Population Census, vol. 1)]" (in Russian). Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года (2010 All-Russia Population Census). Federal State Statistics Service. 2011. http://www.gks.ru/free_doc/new_site/perepis2010/croc/perepis_itogi1612.htm. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- ^ "Численность населения России, субъектов Российской Федерации в составе федеральных округов, районов, городских поселений, сельских населённых пунктов – районных центров и сельских населённых пунктов с населением 3 тысячи и более человек [Population of Russia, its federal districts, federal subjects, districts, urban localities, rural localities—administrative centers, and rural localities with population of over 3,000]" (in Russian). Всероссийская перепись населения 2002 года (All-Russia Population Census of 2002). Federal State Statistics Service. May 21, 2004. http://www.perepis2002.ru/ct/doc/1_TOM_01_04.xls. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ Demoscope Weekly (1989). "Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 г. Численность наличного населения союзных и автономных республик, автономных областей и округов, краёв, областей, районов, городских поселений и сёл-райцентров. [All Union Population Census of 1989. Present population of union and autonomous republics, autonomous oblasts and okrugs, krais, oblasts, districts, urban settlements, and villages serving as district administrative centers]" (in Russian). Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 года (All-Union Population Census of 1989). Institute of Demographics of the State University—Higher School of Economics. http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/rus89_reg.php. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
External links[]
- (English) Official website of Smolensk Oblast.
- (Russian) News of Smolensk Oblast
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