Smolensk Oblast ( , Smolenskaya oblast) is a federal subject of Russia (an oblast). Its area is 49,786 square kilometers, population—1,019,000 (2005 est.) [55536]; 1,049,574 (2002 Census); 1,158,299 (1989 Census). Its administrative center is the city of Smolensk. Other ancient towns include Vyazma and Dorogobuzh. Smolensk oblast borders Pskov Oblast in north, Tver Oblast in northeast, Moscow Oblast in east, Kaluga Oblast and Bryansk Oblast in south, and also Mahilyow Voblast and Vitsebsk Voblast in Belarus, to the west and northwest.

Geography

Time zone

Smolensk Oblast is located in the Moscow Time Zone (MSK/MSD). UTC offset is +0300 (MSK)/+0400 (MSD).

Administrative divisions

Smolensk Oblast is divided into 25 districts (raion and 2 cities, which are further divided into 15 towns, 12 urban-type settlements, and 302 rural okrugs.

Demographics

According to the (2002 Census), the national composition of the oblast was as follows:

• Russians: 93.4%• Ukrainians: 1.7%• Belarusians: 1.6%• Armenians: 0.4%• Roma: 0.3%• Tatars: 0.2%• Azeris: 0.2%,and many other groups, none more than 0.2% of the population. (1.1% of the population did not state their nationality in the census.)

Economy

Smolensk Oblast is part of Russia's Central economic district. Industry is this district includes sectors such as engineering and metalworking (production of measuring and hydrometeorological devices, computer equipment, electrical appliances, refrigerators, automobiles, power-generating and store equipment, and aircraft manufacture), the chemical industry (production of ammonia, saltpeter, fertilizers, and plastics), light industry (production of clothing, and cotton and linen fabrics), the food industry, and brown coal and peat production.

Nearly 40% of the industrial production potential is concentrated in the city of Smolensk. Diamond cutting companies have the largest share of GDP. The largest of these companies is the Kristall State Unitary enterprise (GUP Kristall) in Smolensk. Smolensk is also a major center of the engineering and metalworking industries, with the instrument-making, electronics, electrical, and auto industries having the largest share of GDP among engineering companies.

Famous people

• Isaac Asimov, born in Petrovichi
• Yuri Gagarin, born in Klushino

External links

• Official website of Smolensk Oblast.
• News of Smolensk Oblast
• Social Network of Smolensk Oblast