Kostroma oblast overview
Kostroma oblast (also spelled Kostromskaya) is a federal subject of Russian Federation, part of Central Federal District. Administrative center and capital city of the region is Kostroma.
Kostroma oblast population - 689,000 (2010); land area - 60,200 sq. km.
Kostroma oblast facts
The largest cities of Kostroma oblast are Kostroma (272,000), Bui (27,000), Nerekhta (26,000), Sharya (25,000).
There are about 2,600 rivers in Kostroma region. Major rivers of Kostroma oblast are Volga and Kostroma. The territory of the region is rich in timber resources (about 75% of the territory is covered with woods).
Kostroma oblast is an important railway and highway junction of western Russia.
Kostroma oblast views
Kostroma oblast scenery
Author: Andrey Vigerchuk
Kostroma oblast view
Author: Chelovyan Eleonora
Kostroma oblast landscape
Author: Alexandr Kuznetsov
Kostroma oblast history
Kostroma region has a rich and ancient history full of various events. Till the 15th century 2 principalities were located on its territory - Kostromskoye and Galichskoye. In 15th century Galich princes fought with Moscow ones but failed to win the right to be the main princes.
During Time of Troubles both Kostroma and Galich were brought to ruin by Polish and Lithuanian troops. In mid 17th century Kostroma was the fourth important town of the Russian state. For the first time the territories of the current oblast were divided from each other during Peter I governing. In 1797 Paul I abolished Vladimirskoye and Kostromskoye territories ruled by governor-general, instead Kostromskaya gubernia was formed and it existed till 1917.
After Kostroma became the center of gubernia its rapid growth (both economical and cultural) began. The end of 18th - first half of 19th century is considered to be the highest point in cultural development (architecture, painting, literature) not only of the town Kostroma but of other towns - Galich, Nerekhta, Soligalich. Architectural sites in classicism style are the decorations of the central parts of these towns till nowadays. Manorial estates were very popular and they became centers of culture in remote districts of the gubernia.
The abrogation of serfdom in 1861 caused rapid economic growth in Kostromskaya gubernia, it was connected with textile industry development. By early 20th century flax industry in Kostromskaya gubernia was one of the leading industries among gubernias in European Russia. In 1912 Kostromskaya gubernia produced 22% of fabric and 26% of thread put out by all the plants in Russia. The region produced a lot of fine and middle fabrics: Kostromskaya gubernia produced 40% of all the fabric put out in the country. Alongside with textile industry wood processing was rapidly developed in Kostromskaya gubernia.
In 1960s tourism started to develop in Kostroma oblast. In 1971 Kostroma became a part of “The Golden Ring” of Russia. After the USSR collapsed in 1991, Kostromskaya oblast together with Russia experienced all the problems connected with transition from planned economy to a market one. Destroyed relations of production entailed 43,2% decline of industrial production in 1994 comparing with 1991. Mostly the decline referred those branches on which Kostroma economics was based: textile industry, machine-building, wood-processing.
Kostroma oblast attractions
Kostroma oblast nature is known for its traditional Russian landscapes. Kostroma city celebrated 850 years from its foundation in 2002. It is the part of famous Golden Ring of Russia tourist route.
There are about 2,500 various architectural, historical and archeological monuments and memorials on the territory of Kostroma region.