Kirov oblast, Russia (Kirovskaya)

The capital city of Kirov oblast: Kirov.

Kirov oblast overview

Kirov oblast (also spelled Kirovskaya) is a federal subject of Russian Federation, part of Volga Federal District. The capital city and administrative center of the region is Kirov city. The region is situated in north-eastern part of European Russia.

Kirov oblast population - 1,392,000 (2010); land area - 120,800 sq. km.

Kirov oblast flag

Kirov oblast coat of arms

Kirov oblast map, Russia

Kirov oblast features

Kirov oblast is located in the Eastern part of East-European Height. There are Vyatskie Uvaly (ridges) in the central part of Kirov oblast, Verkhnekamskaya height in the north-eastern part and Severnye Uvaly in the north.

The basis of resource potential in the region consists of forests (mainly coniferous ones), phosphorites, peat, furs, water and soils. The total timber resources are about 1.2 bln. cubic meters. There are a lot of peat deposits. There are resources of non-metallic mineral raw: limestone, clays, sands and gravel.

Lately little deposits of oil have been found in the eastern part of Kirov oblast. The largest in Europe Vyatsko-Kamskoye deposit of phosphorites is located in the oblast. It is also rich in mineral springs and curing muds.

The climate of Kirov oblast is moderately continental. The winter is usually long and cold, the summer is short and warm. Kirov oblast is situated in the taiga zone. The woods of taiga are rich in various flora and fauna. Main river of the region is Vyatka river.

Kirov oblast facts

Kirov oblast has 18 main cities and towns. The largest cities of the region are Kirov, Kirovo-Chepetsk, Kotelnich, Omutninsk, Slobodskoy, Vyatskie Polyany and Yaransk.

Railways cross the territory of Kirov oblast connecting the central part of Russia with Urals, Siberia and Far East (Trans-Siberian railway), northern regions with southern ones (“Kirov-Kotlas”). The main waterway is the river Vyatka.

Kirov oblast attractions

There are 197 especially protected areas on 375,600 hectares: a federal state reserve “Nurgush”, 3 state regional reserves - “Pizhemsky”, “Bylina”, “Bushkovsky Les (forest)”, 189 nature sites of regional importance, 3 curing health resorts. A National Park “Atarskaya Luka” is being created.

There are about 3,500 historical, cultural and architectural monuments in Kirov oblast, 883 monuments are protected by the state. There are 40 museums (literary house-museums of A.S.Green and M.Saltykov-Shedrin, of local studies, ethnographical, scientific and memorial), several exhibition halls.

Kirovskaya oblast is well known by handicrafts: Dymkovo painted clay toys, things made of straw, pine tree roots, wood, Kukarsky laces, items made of flax with traditional embroidery, ceramics.