List of States in Russia
Russia is divided into 83 regions, or “subjects of the Federation”. The Russian Federation consists of 21 republics, 9 territories, 46 regions, 1 autonomous region, 4 autonomous districts, and 2 federally subordinate cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg. Russia’s capital is Moscow, which has a population of around 10 million. These regions are administratively equal, yet some have greater authority than others. The Russian Federation is the world’s largest federal state, with more than 100 different nationalities and ethnicities.
In this article, we will look into the administrative divisions of Russia, a list of states in Russia, and their key facts.
Table of Content
- Overview of Russia’s Administrative Divisions
- List of States in Russia
- List of States in the Central Federal District of Russia
- List of States in the Eastern District of Russia
- List of States in the North Caucasian District of Russia
- List of States in the Northwestern Federal District of Russia
- List of States in the Siberian Federal District of Russia
- List of States in the Southern Federal District of Russia
- List of States in the Ural Federal District of Russia
- List of States in the Volga Federal District of Russia
Overview of Russia’s Administrative Divisions
Russia is the largest country in the world by land area and is administratively divided into several levels of subdivisions. The primary administrative divisions of Russia are as follows:
- Federal Subjects: Russia is a federation consisting of 83 federal subjects, which include republics, krais (territories), oblasts (provinces), autonomous okrugs (autonomous districts), federal cities, and an autonomous oblast. These federal subjects have varying degrees of autonomy and are further divided into districts, cities, towns, and rural localities.
- Republics: There are 21 republics in Russia, each of which is based on the territory of a specific ethnic minority group. These republics have their constitutions, languages, and cultural institutions, providing a degree of self-governance to the respective ethnic groups.
- Krais and Oblasts: Krais and oblasts are similar to provinces or regions in other countries. There are nine krais and 46 oblasts in Russia. They are the most common type of federal subject and are primarily based on geographic and historical factors.
- Autonomous Okrugs: Autonomous okrugs are regions with a significant population of indigenous peoples. There are 4 autonomous okrugs in Russia, each with a degree of self-governance and cultural autonomy.
- Federal Cities: Russia has 3 federal cities – Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Sevastopol. These cities have a special status and are directly subordinate to the federal government, rather than being part of any oblast or krai.
- Autonomous Oblast: There is 1 autonomous oblast in Russia, the Jewish Autonomous Oblast. It was established as a home for the Jewish population but currently has a diverse ethnic composition.
List of States in Russia
The following table lists the states under the different federal districts in Russia:
Federal Districts |
States |
---|---|
Central |
Belgorod Oblast, Bryansk Oblast, Ivanovo Oblast, Kaluga Oblast, Kostroma Oblast, Moscow Oblast, Oryol Oblast, Ryazan Oblast, Smolensk Oblast, Tambov Oblast, Tver Oblast, Tula Oblast, Vladimir Oblast, Voronezh Oblast. |
Eastern |
Amur Oblast, Jewish Autonomous Oblast, Kamchatka Krai, Magadan Oblast, Primorsky Krai, Sakhalin Oblast, Khabarovsk Krai, Zabaykalsky Krai, Republic of Buryatia, Sakha (Yakutia) Republic, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. |
North Caucasian |
Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, North Ossetia-Alania. |
Northwestern |
Arkhangelsk Oblast, Kaliningrad Oblast, Komi Republic, Leningrad Oblast, Murmansk Oblast, Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Novgorod Oblast, Pskov Oblast, Republic of Karelia, Saint Petersburg. |
Siberian |
Altai Krai, Altai Republic, Buryatia, Irkutsk Oblast, Khakassia, Kemerovo Oblast, Novosibirsk Oblast, Omsk Oblast, Tomsk Oblast, Tuva Republic. |
Southern |
Adygea, Astrakhan Oblast, Kalmykia, Krasnodar Krai, Rostov Oblast, Volgograd Oblast. |
Ural |
Chelyabinsk Oblast, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Kurgan Oblast, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Tyumen Oblast, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. |
Volga |
Bashkortostan, Chuvashia, Kirov Oblast, Mari El, Mordovia, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Orenburg Oblast, Penza Oblast, Perm Krai, Republic of Tatarstan, Samara Oblast, Saratov Oblast, Udmurtia, Ulyanovsk Oblast. |
List of States in the Central Federal District of Russia
The following table lists the states in the central federal district of Russia:
State |
Description |
---|---|
Belgorod Oblast |
Known for its agricultural industry and historical significance. |
Bryansk Oblast |
Region known for its forests and cultural heritage. |
Ivanovo Oblast |
Oblast famous for its textile industry and historic architecture. |
Kaluga Oblast |
Region recognized for its scientific achievements and historic landmarks. |
Kostroma Oblast |
Known for its cultural heritage, historic wooden architecture, and the Ipatiev Monastery. |
Moscow Oblast |
Surrounding region of Moscow, known for its economic significance and historical sites. |
Oryol Oblast |
Oblast with a major role in Russian history and cultural landmarks. |
Ryazan Oblast |
Known for its historic monuments and cultural institutions. |
Smolensk Oblast |
Known for its historical significance, including the Smolensk War and the Smolensk Fortress. |
Tambov Oblast |
Known for its agriculture and historic landmarks. |
Tver Oblast |
Region with scenic landscapes, historic towns, and cultural heritage. |
Tula Oblast |
Known for its industrial production, historic sites, and the Tula Arsenal. |
Vladimir Oblast |
Recognized for its cultural and historical significance, including the Golden Ring of Russia. |
Voronezh Oblast |
Known for its agricultural industry and historic landmarks. |
List of States in the Eastern District of Russia
The following table lists the states in the eastern district of Russia:
State |
Description |
---|---|
Amur Oblast |
Area characterized by its vast forests, rivers, and the Amur River. |
Jewish Autonomous Oblast |
Autonomous oblast established as a Jewish homeland. |
Kamchatka Krai |
Remote region famous for its volcanoes, geysers, and wildlife. |
Magadan Oblast |
Remote region in the Russian Far East known for its harsh climate and gold mining history. |
Primorsky Krai |
Far Eastern region known for its scenic coastline and diverse wildlife. |
Sakhalin Oblast |
Far Eastern region known for its natural resources and oil and gas industry. |
Khabarovsk Krai |
Far Eastern region known for its landscapes and the Amur tiger habitat. |
Zabaykalsky Krai |
Region known for its landscapes and mineral resources. |
Republic of Buryatia |
Republic in Siberia known for its scenic beauty and Buddhist monasteries. |
Sakha (Yakutia) Republic |
Largest federal subject of Russia, known for its extreme climate and diamond mining industry. |
Check: List of Sovereign States
List of States in the North Caucasian District of Russia
The following table lists the states in the north Caucasian district of Russia:
State |
Description |
---|---|
Chechnya |
Complex history and vibrant culture. |
Dagestan |
Diverse ethnic groups and rich cultural traditions. |
Ingushetia |
Mountainous landscapes and warm hospitality. |
Kabardino-Balkaria |
Beautiful mountain landscapes. |
Karachay-Cherkessia |
Diverse ethnic groups and stunning mountain scenery. |
North Ossetia-Alania |
Mountainous landscapes and unique culture. |
List of States in the Northwestern Federal District of Russia
The following table lists the states in the Northwestern Federal District of Russia:
State |
Description |
---|---|
Arkhangelsk Oblast |
Arctic landscapes and fishing industry. |
Kaliningrad Oblast |
Baltic Sea coast and historical sites. |
Komi Republic |
Boreal forests and indigenous Komi culture. |
Leningrad Oblast |
Saint Petersburg surroundings, historic sites, and cultural landmarks. |
Murmansk Oblast |
Arctic Circle, polar nights, and northernmost port city. |
Nenets Autonomous Okrug |
Arctic region and indigenous Nenets people. |
Novgorod Oblast |
Rich history and well-preserved medieval architecture. |
Pskov Oblast |
Historical legacy and well-preserved medieval architecture. |
Republic of Karelia |
Beautiful nature, lakes, forests, and national parks. |
Saint Petersburg |
Cultural capital of Russia, architectural landmarks, and artistic heritage. |
Check: Russian Revolution
List of States in the Siberian Federal District of Russia
The following table lists the states in the Siberian Federal District of Russia:
State |
Description |
---|---|
Altai Krai |
Stunning natural landscapes, including the Altai Mountains. |
Altai Republic |
Unique blend of nature, culture, and indigenous traditions. |
Buryatia |
Scenic beauty and Buddhist monasteries. |
Irkutsk Oblast |
Surrounding Lake Baikal, the deepest freshwater lake in the world. |
Khakassia |
Rich history and unique Khakass culture. |
Kemerovo Oblast |
Rich mineral resources and industrial centers. |
Krasnoyarsk Krai |
Vast wilderness and natural beauty. |
Novosibirsk Oblast |
Scientific research and technological advancements. |
Omsk Oblast |
Mix of urban and rural areas, industrial centers. |
Tomsk Oblast |
Scientific research and educational institutions. |
Tuva |
Unique culture, including throat singing and nomadic traditions. |
Republic of Tyva |
Unique culture, including throat singing and nomadic traditions. |
Tyumen Oblast |
Oil and gas industry and diverse landscapes. |
Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug |
Natural gas industry and indigenous peoples. |
List of States in the Southern Federal District of Russia
The following table lists the states in the southern federal district of Russia:
State |
Description |
---|---|
Adygea |
Mountainous terrain and rich cultural heritage. |
Astrakhan Oblast |
Volga Delta, rich biodiversity, and Caspian Sea coastline. |
Kalmykia |
Only Buddhist region in Europe. |
Krasnodar Krai |
Black Sea resorts and agriculture. |
Rostov Oblast |
Agricultural output and historic landmarks. |
Volgograd Oblast |
WWII history and Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) Battle. |
List of States in the Ural Federal District of Russia
The following table lists the states in the Ural District of Russia:
State |
Description |
---|---|
Chelyabinsk Oblast |
Industrial centers and natural landmarks. |
Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug |
Oil and gas industry and indigenous Khanty and Mansi cultures. |
Kurgan Oblast |
Diverse landscapes and historical sites. |
Sverdlovsk Oblast |
Industrial centers, cultural landmarks, and natural attractions. |
Tyumen Oblast |
Oil and gas industry and diverse landscapes. |
Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug |
Natural gas industry and indigenous peoples. |
List of States in the Volga Federal District of Russia
The following table lists the states in the Volga Federal District of Russia:
State |
Description |
---|---|
Bashkortostan |
Diverse ethnic makeup and rich cultural heritage. |
Chuvashia |
Chuvash culture and historical landmarks. |
Kirov Oblast |
Mix of forested areas and historical landmarks. |
Mari El |
Mari culture and traditional festivals. |
Mordovia |
Mordvin culture and colorful festivals. |
Nizhny Novgorod Oblast |
Historic significance and vibrant cultural scene. |
Orenburg Oblast |
Diverse cultural heritage and natural beauty. |
Penza Oblast |
Cultural institutions and historical sites. |
Perm Krai |
Mix of natural landscapes and industrial centers. |
Republic of Tatarstan |
Rich cultural heritage and vibrant economy. |
Samara Oblast |
Mix of urban and rural areas, aerospace industry, and natural beauty. |
Saratov Oblast |
Volga River landscapes and cultural heritage. |
Udmurtia |
Udmurt culture and historical landmarks. |
Ulyanovsk Oblast |
Cultural institutions and scenic beauty. |
Republic of Tatarstan, |
Diverse ethnic makeup and rich cultural heritage. |
Republic of Mari El |
Mari culture and traditional festivals. |
Conclusion on List of States in Russia
In conclusion, Russia is a huge country with multiple regions, each with its unique characteristics, cultural legacy, and significance. From the Arctic landscapes of the Northwestern Federal District to the scenic beauty of the Far Eastern Federal District, and from the historic cities of the Central Federal District to the cultural melting pot of the North Caucasus Federal District, Russia’s states provide an abundance of landscapes, cultures, and histories. Understanding the richness and complexity of these regions is essential for knowing every aspect of Russia’s cultural, economic, and geopolitical landscape.
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List of States in Russia- FAQs
How many states are in Russia?
Russia has 21 republics, 9 territories, 46 regions, 1 autonomous region, 4 autonomous districts, and 2 federal cities: Moscow and St. Petersburg.
How many cities in Russia?
In Russia, there are 1,100 towns and cities spread across 46 provinces. It’s a diverse society with about 100 different ethnic groups, but Russian is the language spoken by everyone.
What are the administrative divisions of Russia?
Russia is divided into 83 federal subjects, including republics, krais, oblasts, autonomous okrugs, and federal cities.
Who is the biggest state of Russia?
The Sakha Republic in Russia holds the title for the world’s largest state. Situated in northeastern Russia, it spans approximately 1.2 million square miles and hosts a population of nearly one million. Yakutsk, its capital, ranks as the second coldest capital city globally.
How many federal districts are there in Russia?
There are 8 federal districts in Russia, each overseen by a presidential envoy.
What is Russia’s smallest state?
Ingushetia is Russia’s smallest republic and federal subject, excluding three federal cities. The most populous federal subjects, Moscow Oblast (with Moscow) and Krasnodar Krai, are in European Russian
What is the most populous state in Russia?
Moscow, the capital city, is the most populous state in Russia, with over 12 million residents.
How many states left Russia?
The dissolution of the former superpower resulted in the emergence of 15 independent nations: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
Which state in Russia is known as the “Gateway to Siberia”?
Tyumen Oblast is often referred to as the “Gateway to Siberia” due to its location and importance as a transit hub.
Is Russia divided into states?
Presently, the Russian Federation is administratively divided into 21 republics, 6 krays (federal territories), 2 federal cities (Moscow and St. Petersburg), 49 regions, 1 autonomous region, and 10 autonomous areas.
Which state in Russia is famous for its oil and gas industry?
Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug is famous for its extensive oil and gas reserves and production.
What is the significance of the Golden Ring of Russia?
The Golden Ring refers to a group of historic cities northeast of Moscow, known for their cultural and architectural heritage.
Which state in Russia is home to Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world?
Irkutsk Oblast, located in Siberia, surrounds Lake Baikal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What is the primary economic activity in the Krasnodar Krai region?
Krasnodar Krai is a major agricultural center, known for its production of grains, vegetables, and fruits.
Which state in Russia is known for its aerospace industry?
Samara Oblast, particularly the city of Zhukovsky, is renowned for its aerospace research and manufacturing facilities.
What is the cultural significance of the North Caucasus Federal District?
The North Caucasus Federal District is culturally diverse, with vibrant traditions, languages, and ethnicities.
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