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The capital city of Irkutsk oblast: Irkutsk.
Irkutsk oblast (region) (also spelled Irkutskaya) is a federal subject of the Russian Federation, part of Siberian Federal District. Administrative center and capital city of the region is Irkutsk.
Irkutsk region population is about 2,422,000 (2012); land area - 774,846 sq. km.
Irkutsk region is rich in such natural resources as oil, natural gas, gold, iron, coal. It is an important transportation junction of Siberia having part of Trans-Siberian Railway and Baikal-Amur Railway on its territory.
Main rivers of the region are the Angara, Belaya, Iya, Kitoy, Irkut, Oka, Lena, Kirenga and Nizhnaya Tunguska.
Largest cities and towns of the region are Irkutsk (600,000), Bratsk (244,000), Angarsk (240,000), Ust-Ilimsk (87,000), Usolie-Sibirskoye (83,000).
Irkutsk region nature view
Irkutsk region river
Irkutsk region landscape
Irkutsk region is a big industrial area of the country. In All-Russia production it makes about 6,5% of power production, 15% of timber export, 6% of coal mining, almost 20% of pulp production, over 10% of carton, about 9% of oil is processed.
In the region the following industries are mostly developed: timber and wood-processing, pulp and paper, mining, fuel, non-ferrous metallurgy, power engineering, machine-building, chemical and oil, food and ferrous metallurgy.
Mineral and raw resources of the region are a very important factor of the industry development. The industry is located mainly in Irkutsk and several district centers.
Hydro-power industry is highly developed in the region (main dams: Irkutsk Dam, Bratsk Dam, Ust-Ilimsk Dam).
Railway is the main transportation. About 70 billion tons of freight is carried by railway. The main transportation line is Trans-Siberian railway. The western part of Baikal-Amur Railway stretches from the town of Taishet to the east across the region. The total length of railways is about 2,500 km.
There are 2 airports in the cities of Irkutsk and Bratsk, they are international airports and have flights to Japan, China, South Korea, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Thailand and some European countries.
The net of highways is well developed. The total length is over 12,000 km.
Large navigable rivers flow across the region - the Angara, Lena, Nizhnyaya Tunguska, they provided the development of river transportation which makes about 10% of all freight turn.
The largest ports are located on the river Lena - Kirensk and Osetrovo, they provide freight transfer to the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and the northern seaport Tixi.
Irkutsk region has a rich history: ancient sites, the Russians settling in Eastern Siberia, Decembrists, the Soviet construction sites, that’s why there are historical monuments in every settlement here. Over 60 museums are open in the region, they attract historians and tourists from Europe and Asia.
Besides, unique phenomena are located in the region: first of all, it is the lake Baikal and Baikal National Park. About 60 km from Irkutsk there is an architectural and ethnographical museum “Taltsy”.
Also “Around-Baikal railway” is very popular among local population and guests of the region. It consists of 58 tunnels and galleries, over 500 bridges and viaducts, about 600 breastwalls fixing the shores as well as 172 architectural sites. Tourists are also attracted by mountain skiing in Baikalsk city.
Irkutsk Russia region scenery
Irkutsk region sunset
Irkutsk region church
Irkutskaya oblast church
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