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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
Area
[4]
 • Total
29,997 km2 (11,582 sq mi)
 • Rank65th
Population
 (2021 census)[5]
 • Total
1,082,458
 • 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

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

The territory of Kursk Oblast has been populated since the end of the last ice age. Slavic tribes of the Severians inhabited the area. From 830 the current Kursk Oblast was part of the Rus' Khaganate and Kievan Rus' states. The oldest towns in the region are Kursk and Rylsk, first mentioned in 1032 and 1152,[11] respectively, both capitals of small medieval eponymous duchies.[12][11] In the 13th century, the region was conquered by the Mongol Empire.

In the 15th century it was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania under the Jagiellonian dynasty. It was lost in the 16th-century 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. The current southwestern outskirts of the oblast with the town of Sudzha were part of Sloboda Ukraine and populated by Ukrainians since the mid-17th century.[13] Between 1708 and 1719, Kursk was part of the newly created Kiev Governorate. From 1719 to 1727, it was a part of Belgorodsky Uyezd of Kiev Governorate. From 1727, Kursky Uyezd was part of Belgorod Governorate.[14] On 23 May 1779, Kursk Governorate was established.

During World War I, in 1918, it was the site of fights of Ukrainians and Germans against Russia. In 1918, the western portion of the current Kursk Oblast with the towns of Rylsk and Sudzha was part of the Ukrainian State.[12] Korenevo was the place of signing of a ceasefire between the Ukrainian State, Germany and Soviet Russia in May 1918. Kursk was the place of establishment of the Provisional Workers' and Peasants' Government of Ukraine, and Sudzha was its first seat in November-December 1918.[15] Sudzha remained part of Soviet Ukraine until 1922.[16]

The Kursk Governorate 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 German troops from the autumn of 1941 until the 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.

As of 2024, the Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhhorod pipeline in Sudzha was the last remaining point through which natural gas flowed from Russia to Europe via Ukraine.[17]

In August 2024, Ukrainian forces crossed the border into Kursk Oblast during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine resulting in a small part of the oblast becoming under Ukrainian occupation.[18][19]

Geography

Kursk Oblast
Map
Map

Kursk Oblast is bordered by Bryansk Oblast to the north-west (border length: 120 km (75 mi)), Oryol Oblast to the north (325 km (202 mi)), Lipetsk Oblast to the north-east (65 km (40 mi)), Voronezh Oblast to the east (145 km (90 mi)), Belgorod Oblast to the south (335 km (208 mi)), and Sumy Oblast of Ukraine to the west (245 km (152 mi)).

It occupies the southern slopes of the middle-Russian plateau. The surface is hilly and intersected by ravines. The central part of the oblast is more elevated than the Seym river valley in the west. The average elevation is 177–225 m (581–738 ft) and the Timsko-Shchigrinsky ridge contains the highest point at 288 m (945 ft) above 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, and podsol soils 26%; chernozem is among the best soils for agriculture, and podsol among the worst.

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

Natural resources

Kursk Oblast landscape

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 oblast

Climate

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

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

Main article: Administrative divisions of Kursk Oblast

Demographics

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 Census);[20] 1,235,091 (2002 Census);[21] 1,339,414 (1989 Soviet census).[22]

Vital statistics for 2022:[23][24]

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

Total fertility rate (2022):[25]
1.29 children per woman

Life expectancy (2021):[26]
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.[27]

According to the 1897 census, there were 77.3% Russians and 22.3% Ukrainians in the Kursk Governorate.[28] 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.[29]

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)[30][31]
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[30] 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.[30]

Education

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

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

Politics

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 pro-government United Russia Party and the 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

Shops in Kurchatov in 2013

Industry

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.

The Mikhailovsky Mining Plant is one of the largest iron ore mining and processing facilities in Russia.[32]

The Kursk Nuclear Power Plant is one of the three biggest nuclear power plants in Russia and one of the four biggest electricity producers in the country.

Agriculture

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.

Kursk lies at the heart of Russia's Central Black Earth Region, so-named for its rich black soils.[33]

Transportation

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 railway and road. Region roads serve towns and rural settlements through a 5,600 km (3,500 mi) road network. An airport in the oblast was opened to international flights in July 1997.[citation needed]

The oblast's railroads are one of the most important parts of the transportation system. They are part of the Moscow and South Eastern Railway systems. Two major rail links pass through the oblast: Moscow–Kharkiv and Kyiv–Voronezh. The total length of the railway network is 1,100 km (680 mi). 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. There are sixty-five railway stations in the oblast.

Tourism

The Maryino Estate was built by the princely Baryatinsky family in the 19th century

Kursk Oblast's most prominent natural attraction is the Central Black Earth Nature Reserve, which is well-suited for hiking and other outdoor activities. The Oblast's forests and other undeveloped areas are ideal for hunting, fishing, and camping. Traditional art and architecture are preserved in the town-museum of Rylsk and other historical towns of Kursk Oblast.

See also

References

  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. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. 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. ^ a b Słownik geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego i innych krajów słowiańskich, Tom X (in Polish). Warszawa. 1889. p. 94.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  12. ^ a b "Сім цікавих фактів про Курськ і Курщину" (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on August 18, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  13. ^ "Сумський полк" (in Ukrainian). Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  14. ^  "Курск" . Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary (in Russian). 1906.
  15. ^ "Міфи та факти про «першу столицю України»" (in Ukrainian). March 28, 2014. Archived from the original on August 11, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  16. ^ "Який вигляд зараз має місто Суджа, яке контролюють українські військові? Ексклюзив hromadske" (in Ukrainian). Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  17. ^ "Is it the end for Russian gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine?". Reuters. August 12, 2024.
  18. ^ "Russia says it's battling a major cross-border assault by Ukraine". NBC News. August 7, 2024. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  19. ^ "Russia says forces repel Ukrainian armoured raid in Kursk region". Reuters. August 7, 2024.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ 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).
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ "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.
  24. ^ "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.
  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ "Демографический ежегодник России" [The Demographic Yearbook of Russia] (in Russian). Federal State Statistics Service of Russia (Rosstat). Archived from the original on August 21, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  27. ^ "ВПН-2010". www.perepis-2010.ru. Archived from the original on December 25, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  28. ^ "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.
  29. ^ Unknown Eastern Ukraine Archived June 28, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, The Ukrainian Week (14 March 2012)
  30. ^ a b c "Arena: Atlas of Religions and Nationalities in Russia" Archived December 6, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. Sreda, 2012.
  31. ^ 2012 Arena Atlas Religion Maps. "Ogonek", № 34 (5243), 27/08/2012. Retrieved 21/04/2017. Archived.
  32. ^ "Ukrainian drones strike Russian iron ore plant". Reuters. March 6, 2024.
  33. ^ "Counting the Economic Costs of Ukraine's Kursk Assault". The Moscow Times. August 16, 2024.

Sources

  • 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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