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Kursk Oblast

Coordinates: 51°45′N 36°01′E / 51.750°N 36.017°E / 51.750; 36.017
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Kursk Oblast
Oblast
Курская область
Flag of Kursk Oblast
Flag
Coat of arms of Kursk Oblast
Coat of arms
Coordinates: 51°45′N 36°01′E / 51.750°N 36.017°E / 51.750; 36.017
CountryRussia
Federal districtCentral[1]
Economic regionCentral Black Earth[2]
Administrative centerKursk
Government
 • BodyOblast Duma[3]
 • Governor[3]Alexei Smirnov (acting)
Area
[4]
 • Total29,997 km2 (11,582 sq mi)
 • Rank65th
Population
 (2021 census)[5]
 • Total1,082,458
 • Estimate 
(2018)[6]
1,115,237
 • Rank46th
 • Density36/km2 (93/sq mi)
 • Urban
68.4%
 • Rural
31.6%
Time zoneUTC+3 (MSK Edit this on Wikidata[7])
ISO 3166 codeRU-KRS
License plates46
OKTMO ID38000000
Official languagesRussian[8]
Websiteкурскаяобласть.рф

Kursk Oblast (Russian: Курская область, romanized: Kurskaya oblast', IPA: [ˈkurskəjə ˈobləsʲtʲ]) is a federal subject of Russia (an oblast). Its administrative center is the city of Kursk. As of the 2021 census, Kursk Oblast had a population of 1,082,458.[10]

History

[edit]
A Khorovod in Kursk, 1860, painting by Konstantin Trutovsky
Waffen-SS Panzer Division Das Reich with a Tiger I tank, in June 1943 before the Battle of Kursk

Slavic tribes of the Severians inhabited the area. From 830 the Kursk was part of the Rus' Khaganate and Kievan Rus' states. Although territory of Kursk Oblast had been populated since the end of the last ice age, information about the cities was scant until 1596 when the Kursk stronghold was built.

In the 15th century it was part of Grand Duchy of Lithuania under the Jagiellonian dynasty. It was lost in the Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars to the Grand Duchy of Moscow. A real growth of the area around Kursk began soon after that, with a large migration from Central Russia after the Russian famine of 1601–1603. The region was affected by Crimean–Nogai slave raids in the 16th and 17th centuries. Between 1708 and 1719, Kursk was a part of the newly created Kiev Governorate. From 1719 to 1727 it was a part of Belgorod province of Kiev Governorate. Later Kursk uyezd was a part of Belgorod Governorate.[citation needed]

On 23 May 1779, Kursk Governorate was established. The latter subdivision existed until 1928, when the territory of Kursk Governorate became a part of Central Black Earth Oblast. As Central Chernozem Oblast was very large its administration was very difficult, on 13 June 1934 it was divided into two oblasts: Kursk Oblast and Voronezh Oblast.[citation needed] In the period between 1934 and 1954, oblasts' borders were frequently adjusted. However, the area and borders of the oblast have remained stable from 1954.

During World War II, the territory of Kursk Oblast was occupied by the German troops from fall of 1941 until summer of 1943. The Battle of Kursk, which was one of the major battles of World War II, took place in the region between 5 July 1943 and 23 August 1943.

The territory of Kursk Oblast was the region in which the 4th leader of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev, was born.

In August 2024, Ukrainian forces crossed the border into Kursk Oblast during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[11][12] On 9 August 2024, a convoy of Russian troops in the Kursk Oblast was destroyed in a strike by U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket system in what the Russian Telegram channel called "one of the bloodiest and most massive strikes in the entire war."[13][14]

Geography

[edit]
Kursk Oblast
Map

The oblast, with an average elevation of 177–225 m (581–738 ft), occupies the southern slopes of the middle-Russian plateau. The surface is hilly and intersected by ravines. The central part of Kursk oblast is more elevated than the Seym Valley to the west. The Timsko-Shchigrinsky ridge contains the highest point in the oblast at 288 m (945 ft) above the sea level. The low relief, gentle slopes, and mild winters make the area suitable for farming, and much of the forest has been cleared.

Chernozem soils cover around 70% of the oblast's territory; podsol soils cover 26%. While Chernozem is among the best soils for agriculture, podsol is among the worst.

Borders

Internal: Bryansk Oblast (NW) (border length: 120 km (75 mi)), Oryol Oblast (N, 325 km (202 mi)), Lipetsk Oblast (NE, 65 km (40 mi)), Voronezh Oblast (E, 145 km (90 mi)), Belgorod Oblast (S, 335 km (208 mi)).

International: Sumy Oblast of Ukraine (W, 245 km (152 mi)).

Rivers

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Kursk Oblast contributes to two major drainage areas: the Dnieper River and the Don River (78% and 22% respectively). There are 902 rivers and streams in the oblast, with a total length of approximately 8,000 km (5,000 mi). Major rivers include the Seym and the Psyol.

Lakes

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The inland waters of Kursk oblast consist of 145 artificial lakes and about 550 small ponds.

Natural resources

[edit]
The landscape of the Kursk Oblast

Kursk Oblast is one of Russia's major producers of iron ore. The area of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly has one of the richest iron-ore deposits in the world. Rare earths and base metals also occur in commercial quantities in several locations. Refractory loam, mineral sands, and chalk are quarried and processed in the region. The oblast's reserves of artesian-well water are proving useful for medical purposes.

A Cuman statue in the East European forest steppe in the Kursk Oblast

Climate

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The oblast's location at the center of the European part of Russia gives the region a medium continental climate: warm summers and relatively mild winters. In July the average daytime high temperature is +19.3 °C (66.7 °F). In January the average high is −8.6 °C (16.5 °F). The average number of frost-free days ranges from 150 in the north to 160 in the south. The growing season in Kursk Oblast varies, from 180 days in the north to 195 days in the southwest. The average annual precipitation for the oblast is 584 mm (23.0 in), but it ranges from 634 mm (25.0 in) in the northwest to about 500 mm (20 in) or less in the southeastern corner. Rainfall peaks during June and July. The snow depth in Kursk Oblast differs considerably, from 300–400 mm (12–16 in) in the north of the oblast, to 150–250 mm (5.9–9.8 in) in the south. Annual sunshine is 1775 hours.

Flora and fauna

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Kursk Oblast forms a part of the Eastern European forest-steppe. One-quarter of Kursk oblast was once heavily wooded. Hardwood timbers included oak, ash, and elm. Now forests cover only 10% of the oblast. Animals native to the area are numerous. Pike, bleak, and perch abound in local rivers. Otter and badger, as well as wild boar, red deer, and roe deer remain numerous in many parts of the area.

Administrative divisions

[edit]
Main article: Administrative divisions of Kursk Oblast

Demographics

[edit]
Life expectancy at birth in Kursk Oblast
Historical population
YearPop.±%
18972,371,012—    
19262,906,360+22.6%
19591,483,305−49.0%
19701,473,864−0.6%
19791,398,889−5.1%
19891,339,414−4.3%
20021,235,091−7.8%
20101,127,081−8.7%
20211,082,458−4.0%
Source: Census data

Population: 1,082,458 (2021 Census);[10] 1,127,081 (2010 Russian census);[15] 1,235,091 (2002 Census);[16] 1,339,414 (1989 Soviet census).[17]

Vital statistics for 2022:[18][19]

  • Births: 8,019 (7.4 per 1,000)
  • Deaths: 17,717 (16.4 per 1,000)

Total fertility rate (2022):[20]
1.29 children per woman

Life expectancy (2021):[21]
Total — 68.56 years (male — 64.09, female — 72.94)

Ethnic composition (2021):[10]
  • Russians – 95.9%
  • Ukrainians – 0.6%
  • Armenians – 0.6%
  • Others – 2.7%
  • 148,354 people were registered from administrative databases, and could not declare an ethnicity. It is estimated that the proportion of ethnicities in this group is the same as that of the declared group.[22]

According to the 1897 census, there were 77.3% Russians and 22.3% Ukrainians in the Kursk Governorate.[23] The 1932 forced end to Ukrainization in southern Russia (Soviet Republic) led to a massive decline of reported Ukrainians in these regions in the 1937 Soviet Census compared to the 1926 First All-Union Census of the Soviet Union.[24]

The annual growth rate of the oblast's population is negative; death rate exceeds overall birth rates and immigration.

Religion
Religion in Kursk Oblast as of 2012 (Sreda Arena Atlas)[25][26]
Russian Orthodoxy
 
 68.7%
Old Believers
 
 0.5%
Other Christians
 
 0.9%
Spiritual but not religious
 
 24.2%
Atheism and irreligion
 
 4.2%
Other and undeclared
 
 1.5%

According to a 2012 survey[25] 68.7% of the population of Kursk Oblast adheres to the Russian Orthodox Church. In addition, 24% of the population declares to be "spiritual but not religious", 4% is atheist, and 3.3% follows other religions or did not give an answer to the question.[25]

Education

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An Orthodox monastery where Our Lady of Kursk used to be located

The largest universities of Kursk Oblast is Kursk State University, Kursk State Technical University, Kursk State Medical University and Kursk State Agricultural Academy which are located in the city of Kursk. There are also 19 other higher education facilities in Kursk Oblast.

Politics

[edit]
Kursk Oblast Duma seat, June 2012

During the Soviet period, the high authority in the oblast was shared between three persons: The first secretary of the Kursk CPSU Committee (who in reality had the biggest authority), the chairman of the oblast Soviet (legislative power), and the Chairman of the oblast Executive Committee (executive power). In 1991, CPSU lost power, and the head of the Oblast administration, and eventually the governor was appointed/elected alongside elected regional parliament.

The Charter of Kursk Oblast is the fundamental law of the region. The Kursk Oblast Duma is the province's standing legislative (representative) body. The Legislative Assembly exercises its authority by passing laws, resolutions, and other legal acts and by supervising the implementation and observance of the laws and other legal acts passed by it. The highest executive body is the Oblast Government, which includes territorial executive bodies such as district administrations, committees, and commissions that facilitate development and run the day to day matters of the province. The Oblast administration supports the activities of the Governor who is the highest official and acts as guarantor of the observance of the oblast Charter in accordance with the Constitution of Russia.

Russian children lay flowers at a memorial to children allegedly killed by Ukrainian forces in Donbas, a state-sponsored event in Kursk in July 2023

The center-right pro-government United Russia Party and the left Communist Party of the Russian Federation are Kursk Oblast's major political parties. Traditionally, the Communist Party is the strongest in the Oblast's rural area.

Economy

[edit]
Shops in Kurchatov in 2013

Industry

[edit]

The oblast's industrial production dropped rapidly during the 1990s, as an industrial crisis was stimulated by the nationwide economic crisis which followed the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, by the end of the decade output was increasing. Moreover, the manufacturing sector, despite a sagging economy in the late 20th century, continues to account for about 40% of the oblast's GDP. The engineering, electric-power, metal-working, chemicals, and food processing are the dominant industries.

Agriculture

[edit]

Most of the main farming areas are used for natural pastures or cultivation, which involves mainly wheat, sugar beet, and fodder crops. The main categories of productive holdings are wheat farms, dairy farms, poultry farms, and beef cattle. Agricultural lands cover 23,000 km2 (8,900 sq mi), or 77% of the oblast's territory.

Transportation

[edit]
The Lionet trams in Kursk

The transportation industry of Kursk Oblast, with easy access to national and international markets, is the basis for the oblast's development. The most important modes of transport throughout the oblast are by railway and road. Total length of railway network is 1,100 km (680 mi). Two major rail links pass through Kursk Oblast: Moscow–Kharkiv and Kyiv–Voronezh. Region roads serve all towns and rural settlements through 5,600 km (3,500 mi) road network. In addition, there is an airport in the oblast which was opened to international flights in July 1997[citation needed].

Railroads

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Railroads are one of the most important component parts of the transportation system in the oblast. There is a total of sixty-five railway stations in the oblast. The operational length of the railways is 1,561.2 km (970.1 mi), of which 500 km (310 mi) are access roads. The length of the electrified lines is 242 km (150 mi). The density of the railroads in Kursk Oblast is one of the highest in Russia. The largest railway junctions are Kursk, Lgov, and Kastornoye. Oblast's railroads are a part of the Moscow and South Eastern Railway systems.

Tourism

[edit]
The Maryino estate was built by the princely Baryatinsky family in the 19th century

Kursk Oblast's natural attraction is the Central Black Earth Nature Reserve, which offers great opportunity for hiking. Oblast's forests and others undeveloped areas are ideal for hunting, fishing, and camping. Traditional art and architecture are preserved in the town-museum of Rylsk and others historical towns of Kursk Oblast.

See also

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ Президент Российской Федерации. Указ №849 от 13 мая 2000 г. «О полномочном представителе Президента Российской Федерации в федеральном округе». Вступил в силу 13 мая 2000 г. Опубликован: "Собрание законодательства РФ", No. 20, ст. 2112, 15 мая 2000 г. (President of the Russian Federation. Decree #849 of May 13, 2000 On the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in a Federal District. Effective as of May 13, 2000.).
  2. ^ Госстандарт Российской Федерации. №ОК 024-95 27 декабря 1995 г. «Общероссийский классификатор экономических регионов. 2. Экономические районы», в ред. Изменения №5/2001 ОКЭР. (Gosstandart of the Russian Federation. #OK 024-95 December 27, 1995 Russian Classification of Economic Regions. 2. Economic Regions, as amended by the Amendment #5/2001 OKER. ).
  3. ^ a b Charter, Article 12
  4. ^ "Сведения о наличии и распределении земель в Российской Федерации на 01.01.2019 (в разрезе субъектов Российской Федерации)". Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  5. ^ "Оценка численности постоянного населения по субъектам Российской Федерации". Federal State Statistics Service. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  6. ^ "26. Численность постоянного населения Российской Федерации по муниципальным образованиям на 1 января 2018 года". Federal State Statistics Service. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  7. ^ "Об исчислении времени". Официальный интернет-портал правовой информации (in Russian). June 3, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  8. ^ Official throughout the Russian Federation according to Article 68.1 of the Constitution of Russia.
  9. ^ Resolution of June 13, 1934
  10. ^ a b c Russian Federal State Statistics Service. Всероссийская перепись населения 2020 года. Том 1 [2020 All-Russian Population Census, vol. 1] (XLS) (in Russian). Federal State Statistics Service.
  11. ^ "Russia says it's battling a major cross-border assault by Ukraine". NBC News.
  12. ^ https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-thwart-ukrainian-attempt-penetrate-border-regional-governor-says-2024-08-06/
  13. ^ Trevelyan, Mark (August 9, 2024). "Russia reinforces Kursk region as video shows evidence of Ukrainian attack". Reuters.
  14. ^ "Russia sends reinforcements to retake Kursk". The Telegraph. August 9, 2024.
  15. ^ Russian Federal State Statistics Service (2011). Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года. Том 1 [2010 All-Russian Population Census, vol. 1]. Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года [2010 All-Russia Population Census] (in Russian). Federal State Statistics Service.
  16. ^ Federal State Statistics Service (May 21, 2004). Численность населения России, субъектов Российской Федерации в составе федеральных округов, районов, городских поселений, сельских населённых пунктов – районных центров и сельских населённых пунктов с населением 3 тысячи и более человек [Population of Russia, Its Federal Districts, Federal Subjects, Districts, Urban Localities, Rural Localities—Administrative Centers, and Rural Localities with Population of Over 3,000] (XLS). Всероссийская перепись населения 2002 года [All-Russia Population Census of 2002] (in Russian).
  17. ^ Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 г. Численность наличного населения союзных и автономных республик, автономных областей и округов, краёв, областей, районов, городских поселений и сёл-райцентров [All Union Population Census of 1989: Present Population of Union and Autonomous Republics, Autonomous Oblasts and Okrugs, Krais, Oblasts, Districts, Urban Settlements, and Villages Serving as District Administrative Centers]. Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 года [All-Union Population Census of 1989] (in Russian). Институт демографии Национального исследовательского университета: Высшая школа экономики [Institute of Demography at the National Research University: Higher School of Economics]. 1989 – via Demoscope Weekly.
  18. ^ "Information on the number of registered births, deaths, marriages and divorces for January to December 2022". ROSSTAT. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  19. ^ "Birth rate, mortality rate, natural increase, marriage rate, divorce rate for January to December 2022". ROSSTAT. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  20. ^ Суммарный коэффициент рождаемости [Total fertility rate]. Russian Federal State Statistics Service (in Russian). Archived from the original (XLSX) on August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  21. ^ "Демографический ежегодник России" [The Demographic Yearbook of Russia] (in Russian). Federal State Statistics Service of Russia (Rosstat). Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  22. ^ "ВПН-2010". www.perepis-2010.ru. Archived from the original on December 25, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  23. ^ "Демоскоп Weekly. Первая всеобщая перепись населения Российской Империи 1897 г. Распределение населения по родному языку и уездам 50 губерний Европейской России". Archived from the original on May 4, 2014.
  24. ^ Unknown Eastern Ukraine, The Ukrainian Week (14 March 2012)
  25. ^ a b c "Arena: Atlas of Religions and Nationalities in Russia". Sreda, 2012.
  26. ^ 2012 Arena Atlas Religion Maps. "Ogonek", № 34 (5243), 27/08/2012. Retrieved 21/04/2017. Archived.

Sources

[edit]
  • Курская областная Дума. Закон №67-ЗКО от 2 октября 2001 г. «Устав Курской области», в ред. Закона №30-ЗКО от 28 апреля 2015 г. «О внесении изменения в абзац второй части 3 статьи 23 Устава Курской области». Вступил в силу со дня официального публикования. Опубликован: "Курская правда", №161, 5 октября 2001 г. (Kursk Oblast Duma. Law #67-ZKO of October 2, 2001 Charter of Kursk Oblast, as amended by the Law #30-ZKO of April 28, 2015 On Amending Paragraph Two of Part 3 of Article 23 of the Charter of Kursk Oblast. Effective as of the official publication date.).
  • Всероссийский центральный исполнительный комитет. Постановление от 13 июня 1934 г. «О разделении Центрально-Чернозёмной области». (All-Russian Central Executive Committee. Resolution of June 13, 1934 On Splitting Central Black Earth Oblast. ).
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