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The capital city of Rostov oblast: Rostov-on-Don.
Rostov oblast (also spelled Rostovskaya) is a federal subject of Russian Federation, part of South Federal District. The administrative center of the region is Rostov-on-Don city.
Rostov oblast has the population of 4,242,000 (2009) on the land area of 100,800 sq. km.
The climate of Rostov oblast is of favorable moderate continental type. Average temperature in January is 7 degs C below zero, in July - 23 degs C above zero. The nature of Rostovskaya oblast is quite various. Steppes, forests, the river Don, Azov Sea coast contain over 100 types of animals and precious fishes.
The territory of Rostov oblast lies within steppe zone, only the extreme south-east is in the mid-way to half-deserts. About 6% of the territory is covered by forests and bushes, the most part of the oblast is occupied by plantations, mainly on extremely fertile black soils.
The largest cities and towns of Rostov oblast are Rostov-on-Don (1,051,000), Taganrog (258,000), Shahty (246,000), Novocherkassk (178,000), Volgodonsk (170,000), Novoshahtinsk (115,000), Bataisk (103,000).
Rostov oblast landscape
Rostov Russia oblast view
Rostov oblast view
The settlements on the territory of present Rostovskaya oblast were mentioned first by Herodotus and refers to Scyths. A lot of archeological material was found in lower Don: iron swords, daggers, special items of horse decoration. In about 700 B.C. Scyths appeared in the steppes to the north of the Black Sea between Don and Dunai. Bronze, golden and silver items were found in numerous Scythian hills.
In 6th-5th centuries B.C. the Greeks started inhabiting these territories. Their largest cities - Olvia, Tira, Khersones united into Bospor kingdom with the capital in Pantikapeya (Kerch at present) in 480 B.C. They had an active trade with the Mediterranean centers and local population.
The first wave of Tatar-Mongol invasion reached Russia in 1224. Princes’ troops went towards enemy and on May, 31st, 1224, had a battle with them on the river Kalka (tributary of Kalmius which flows into Azov Sea to the north of Don). Russian princes fought bravely but not coordinated and were absolutely defeated. Such was the beginning of the Tatar-Mongol yoke epoch which lasted till 1481. In the 70s of 15th century the Azov steppes were occupied by Turks.
In mid 16th century runaway serves started inhabiting the Don area, they were the first of Don Cossacks. In 1570 the Cossack town of Cherkassk was founded. Gradually from the end of 16th - early 17th centuries the Cossacks started cooperating and later involving into Russian military, economic and political systems.
The Cossacks had special rights and advantages, they were good soldiers and took part in all the military actions held by Russia. They protected not only the southern frontiers of the state but its interests on the territory of Prussia (1760), France (1813), they fought under commandment of A.V.Suvorov and M.I.Kutuzov.
Rostov region is rich in various mineral resources which is caused by tectonic structure peculiarities of the territory. The most important among them are fuel resources. Coal deposits of eastern Donbass are famous. 90% of the coal is anthracite which is the best by its calorie content. Over 6,500 million tons of explored deposits are located in Rostovskaya oblast. Considerable part of the oblast territory contains gas and oil. Prospected gas deposits are estimated 36,850 million cubic m.
Deposits of chemical raw are found in Rostov oblast. Phosphorites are the most precious. Deposits of non-ferrous metals (nickel, zirconium) are not fully explored, signs of precious metals presence, ferrous ore of Krivorozhsky type, mercury and diamonds are evidences of possible considerable increase of ore mining which are of industrial importance. Rostovskaya oblast possesses unique deposits of raw for constructing industry.
Rostov oblast scenery
Rostovskaya oblast scenery
Rostov Russia oblast road
Rostov oblast is one of the leading in the Russian Federation in the level of development and variety of industries. Machine-building, food industry, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, power engineering are mostly developed. A lot of plants are of federal importance being the only ones or the largest ones in the country which produce some special product.
Main treasure of the oblast is soil. Black soils occupy almost 65% of the land, the fertile layer might reach a meter and a half in depth. Crops are foremost, in about a half of all fields crops are grown. Rostov oblast is the fourth in Russia in crops growing. The main crops is wheat. Maize, rice, millet, buckwheat, soy-beans are widely spread.
Sunflower is the main industrial plant. The production of sunflower seeds is over 20% of all output in Russia. Rostovskaya oblast takes the first place in production of this product. Gardening and grapes growing are based on commercial production. Milk producing, cattle-breeding, sheep-breeding, horse-breeding and poultry farming are the most developed in the oblast.
Volgodonskaya nuclear power station (1,000 Mwt) is in action in the town of Volgodonsk. Federal highways E115 - M4 “Moscow - Rostov-on-Don”, E50 - M19, E58 - M23 “Kishinyov - Rostov”, E40 - M21 “Volgograd - Kishinyov” cross the territory of the oblast.
Railway routes to the south of Russia cross the oblast - to Krasnodar krai (Azov and Black Seas) as well as to Abkhazia and Ukraine. Main waterways of the oblast are rivers Don and Seversky Donets. Taganrog and Rostov-on-Don are ports on Azov Sea.
Rostov region has high financial, industrial, resource and scientific potential. Rostov oblast has favorable geographical location (the territory of Rostov oblast unites regions of central Russia with North Caucasus and Transcaucasia regions). Among the other advantages of the region are natural and human labor resources, developed transportation infrastructure.
The industry of recreation includes a lot of various local resorts for summer recreation with mineral waters.
Rostov region attracts tourists by its rich history, charming nature, hospitable inhabitants and unique Cossack culture. The river Don - one of the largest rivers in Europe, with its branches and tributaries, the Azov Sea and its Taganrog bay, Tsimlyanskoye reservoir, Don and Azov steppes form unforgettable unique image of Rostov oblast. Works by Alexander Pushkin and Mikhail Sholokhov are linked with the Don.
The history of the region is tightly connected with famous Don Cossacks of 16th-18th centuries - Yermak Timofeyevich, Stepan Razin, Kondratiy Bulavin, Yemelyan Pugachev, Matvey Platov. The history of the Don is linked with Emperors Peter I and Alexander I. World famous writer A.P.Chekhov was born there.
The cities Rostov-on-Don, Novocherkassk, Azov, Taganrog are acknowledged tourist centers. Unique collections of Scythian gold are located in regional museums as well as an excellent ethnographical collection representing variety of national cultures of the Don region, items of Cossack everyday life and pictures of famous painters of 18th-20th centuries.
Rostov oblast or Don River land cultural and historical heritage is great. This steppe region has rich history and modern life, a lot of various places of interest and attractions.
Rostov region cathedral
Rostov region church
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