Murmansk oblast overview
Murmansk oblast (also spelled Murmanskaya) is a federal subject of Russian Federation, part of North-West Federal District. The administrative center and capital city is Murmansk. The territory of Murmansk oblast is located mainly on Kola Peninsula.
Murmansk oblast population - 849,000 (2008); land area - 144,602 sq. km.
Murmansk oblast territory
Murmansk oblast territory is located mostly beyond the Arctic Circle. Murmansk oblast borders on Norway and Finland on the west. The northern part of Murmansk region is a sea coast washed by Barents Sea. Murmansk oblast climate is arctic temperate influenced by the warm waters of Gulf Stream.
Murmansk oblast transport system
Murmansk oblast has developed transport system. Murmansk region is an important trade center of Russia. There are two large airports in Murmansk oblast: “Murmansk” (in Murmashy near Murmansk city) and “Khibiny” (in Apatithy). Murmansk airport has international status with regular flights to Finland, Norway and Sweden.
Murmansk oblast features
There are also two large commercial sea ports in Murmansk oblast (Murmansk sea port and Kandalaksha sea port). It should be mentioned that Murmansk city sea port is the only non-freezing port in the north-west part of Russia.
Murmansk city is also the base of Russian atomic icebreakers fleet. The main export goods of Murmansk oblast are non-ferrous metals, apatite concentrate and fish products. Today Murmansk oblast of Russia is becoming more popular among people fond of ecological tourism.