Moskovskaya oblast overview
Moskovskaya oblast (other spellings Podmoskovye, Moscow oblast) is a federal subject of Russian Federation located in Central Federal District. The administrative center of the region is Russian capital city Moscow.
The region is named after Moscow which however isn’t a part of the oblast. The governmental institutions of Moskovskaya oblast are located on the territory of Moscow according to historical traditions.
The largest cities of Moskovskaya region are Balashikha (189,000), Khimky (184,000), Podolsk (180,000), Korolyov (175,000), Mytischy (163,000), Lubertsy (159,000), Kolomna (148,000), Elektrostal (146,000), Odintsovo (129,000), Serpukhov (124,000).
Moskovskaya oblast population - 6,700,000 (2009); land area - 45,800 sq. km.
Moskovskaya oblast nature
Most part of the territory of Podmoskovye is lowland; hills in the western part (above 160 m), lowland in the eastern part. The climate is moderate continental, with distinct seasons; warm summers, cold winters.
Moskovskaya oblast history
In XIII century the territory around Moscow became a part of Moscow princedom which later turned into a center of uniting the Russian territories and fighting with Tatar-Mongol yoke. Prince Dmitry Donskoy lead his army from Kolomna in 1380 and defeated Tatar-Mongols on the Kulikovo field.
In 1708 according to Peter I order Moskovskaya gubernia (province) was established. It included most of the territory of current Moskovskaya oblast. In 1812 Borodino battle took place. It was the biggest battle of the Russian-French War of 1812.
In 1851 the first railway connected Moscow and Saint Petersburg; in 1862 – Nizhny Novgorod. In November, 1917 the Soviet power was established in gubernia.
In 1941-1942 one of the most significant military events of the World War II took place on the territory of the oblast - the battle for Moscow.
Moskovskaya oblast economics
In total volume of output Moskovskaya oblast is the second largest (after Moscow) among the regions of Russia. The industry of the oblast uses mostly raw materials brought from other regions; it is based on powerful scientific base and high-qualified specialists and it’s closely connected with the industry of Moscow.
Machine-building and metal working are developed. Equipment for nuclear power industries is produced; space and racket equipment; electric trains and trains for underground; light industry equipment etc. There are a lot of plants working for defense industry.
Plants of food industry are located in many cities. Foreign investing projects on the territory are carried out (one of them - a plant producing household techniques of South Korean Company LG working in the settlement Dorohovo since 2006).
Handicrafts are developed (Gzhel ceramics, Zhostov trays, Fedoskino lacquered miniature, toy-making).
Moskovskaya oblast transport system
The largest in Russia and former USSR Moscow railway junction is located here (11 radial directions; 2700 km of railways; the density of railways is the highest in Russia).
There are 2 large international airports - Sheremetyevo (with 2 terminals) and Domodedovo. Besides, airports Ostafyevo, Bykovo (used for cargoes). The largest military airport is Chkalovsky (near the town of Sholkovo).
