Amur oblast overview
Amur oblast (also called Amurskaya, Priamurye, Priamurie) is federal subject of Russia situated on the banks of Amur and Zeya rivers about 8,000 km from Moscow, Far Eastern Federal District. Administrative center of Amur oblast is Blagoveshchensk city. Main railroads are Trans-Siberian railway and Baikal-Amur Mainline.
Amur oblast population is about 870,000 (2008); land area - 363,700 sq. km.
Amur oblast territory
The Stanovoy Range divides Amur oblast and Sakha Republic. The higher elevations of mountains are overgrown with dwarf Siberian pine and alpine tundra. Larch forests and pine forests grow along the river plains. Also Zeya River begins in these mountains.
The dam was build in the middle of Zeya river to create Zeysky water reservoir. There are also mountains separating Amur oblast from Khabarovsk krai in the east with larch and fir-spruce forests. Amur, Bureya and Zeya Rivers form a place of highest biodiversity in Amur region of Russia.
Amur oblast history
First Russian settlers came to Amur region in the middle of 17th century. Settlers were looking for a more temperate climate. Russians were cruel with local population and forced them to ask Manchuria for protection.
Russian settlers (Cossacks and peasant farmers) returned to Amur region when the Chinese Empire lost the Opium War. A lot of people arrived to Amur region of Russia with the construction of Trans-Siberian Railroad.