Federal Districts: North West | Central | Volga | South | North Caucasus | Ural | Siberia | Far East
The capital city of Irkutsk oblast: Irkutsk.
Irkutsk oblast (also spelled Irkutskaya) is a federal subject of Russian Federation, part of Siberian Federal District. Administrative center and capital city of the region is Irkutsk.
Irkutsk oblast population is about 2,506,000 (2009); land area - 767,900 sq. km.
Irkutsk oblast is rich in such natural resources as oil, natural gas, gold, iron, coal. Irkutsk oblast is an important transportation junction of Siberia having part of Trans-Siberian Railway and Baikal-Amur Railway on its territories.
Main rivers of Irkutsk oblast are Angara, Belaya, Iya, Kitoy, Irkut, Oka, Lena, Kirenga and Nizhnaya Tunguska.
Largest cities and towns of the region are Irkutsk (576,000), Bratsk (252,000), Angarsk (241,000), Ust-Ilimsk (98,000), Usolie-Sibirskoye (86,000).
Irkutsk oblast nature view
Irkutsk Russia oblast river
Irkutsk Russia oblast landscape
Irkutsk oblast 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 oblast are a very important factor of the industry development. The industry is located mainly in Irkutsk and several district centers.
Hydropower 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 in Irkutsk oblast is Trans-Siberian railway. The western part of Baikal-Amur Railway stretches from the town of Taishet to the east across the oblast. 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. Their total length is over 12,000 km.
Large navigable rivers flow across Irkutsk oblast - 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 oblast has a rich history: ancient sites (more known Malta), 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 oblast, they attract historians and tourists from Europe and Asia.
Besides, unique phenomena are located in the oblast: first of all, it’s the lake Baikal and Baikal National Park. About 60 km from Irkutsk city 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 attracted by mountain skiing in Baikalsk city.
Irkutsk region scenery
Irkutsk region sunset
Irkutsk Russia oblast church
Irkutskaya oblast church
ask a question about Irkutsk oblast to our Expert
contact us by email, if you have any proposals
Rate this page:
