Astrakhan Oblast

47.17547.15Koordinaten: 47 ° 11 ' N, 47 ° 9' O

The Oblast Astrakhan (Russian Астраханская область / Astrachanskaja oblast ) is an oblast in the Russian region of southern Russia.

The oblast is situated in the Caspian basin and occupies a narrow strip along the lower reaches of the Volga. It borders the Caspian Sea and lies between Kazakhstan and the Republic of Kalmykia. Despite its proximity to the Caspian Sea, the climate is strictly continental with low precipitation.

For the indigenous population include not only the Russians (70 %) and the Kazakhs (14%), Tatars ( 7%), Nogai Tatars ( Nogai ) and Kalmyks. About 25 % are Muslims. The oblast is sparsely populated, without the capital is the population density is less than 10 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Economically important is traditional fishing until a few years ago primarily by caviar in the Volga. More recently, oil and gas fields were discovered and exploited.

Administrative divisions

The Astrakhan Oblast is divided into eleven Rajons and two urban districts. The Rajons are a total of 11 urban and 153 rural municipalities assumed (as of 2010).

Urban districts

Rajons

Notes:

Cities and urban settlements

Administrative center and only city of the oblast is Astrakhan. There are a total of six cities Oblast (including a "closed" ) and seven settlements of urban type.

F1 map with all coordinates: OSM, Google and Bing

Culture, attractions and traditions

• Museums The museums in Astrakhan, Astrakhan see
• The museum complex in Altynschar
• The Buddhist temple ( Churul ) in Zagan - Aman
• A museum of the history of fishing in Ikrjanoje
• The Museum of watermelon in Kamysjak

• Churches, mosques and temples Church in the village Rasino
• Church in the village Marfino
• The mosques of Astrakhan
• The Buddhist temple in the village Retschnoje
• The ruins of the church in the village Jenotajewka
• The tombs of Chan Bukej (founder of Bukej - Horde) and silk - Baba in the village of Maly Aral, a sacred place for the Kazakhs.
• The Mausoleum of Kazakh composers Kurmangasi in Altynschar

• Architectural monuments Lighthouse from the 19th century in the village Wyschka on the Caspian Sea.

• Traditional festivals and holidays The Kalmyk hard Zagan Sar in the Kalmyk villages of the Astrakhan Oblast
• The Persian- Turkish holiday Nowruz with the Kazakhs and Nogaiern Oblast Astrakhan. Nowrus place in Iran traditionally held on 23 March, in Astrakhan he will - to prevent scheduling conflicts with the Russian Maslenitsa - often officially until a month later, in mid-April, committed.
• Navy Day on the last Sunday of July.
• Victory Day on 9 May each year. Victory Day is celebrated with a parade in the city center.

Nature

In the field of Astrakhan Oblast is a nature reserve, the Astrakhan Nature Reserve. It is interesting ornithological primarily through a massive passage of migratory birds in spring and winter; However, there will be no ringing of migratory birds at the time. From Russian and German travel company excursions are offered into the nature reserve.

In the Astrakhan Oblast species such as bee-eater, Hoopoe, various shorebirds can be observed. The oblast is due to the natural spatial diversity of the steppe, the Auenregionen the Volga and Akhtuba and the Caspian Sea, rich in a variety of amphibians, but also reptiles such as turtles and snakes.

Policy

Governor of the oblast is currently Schilkin Alexander (July 2011).

In the Duma of Astrakhan Oblast, which belong to 56 members, represents the United Russia party with the largest number of 33 MPs. The second largest group is Fair Russia / Pensioners / Life with 7 members, followed by the Communists with 6 as well as the groups Astrakhan and Astrakhan region, each with 4 MPs.