Murmansk Oblast

6835Koordinaten: 68 ° 0 ' N, 35 ° 0' O

The Murmansk Oblast (Russian Мурманская область / Murmanskaja oblast ) is a Oblast in northwestern Russia.

The oblast is situated in north-eastern Europe and also includes the Kola Peninsula. To the north is the Barents Sea, the White Sea in the east. To the south it borders the autonomous Republic of Karelia, on the west by Finland and Norway.

The surface of the oblast is mostly hilly, the highest mountains are the Chibinen. By the sea and the Gulf Stream the climate is tempered.

The seeds, which are only small minority today, the indigenous population of the entire area are. In the 12th century, the Russians began to explore the shores of the White Sea. However, the area was long overdue, Murmansk was not founded until 1916. In the 20th century, Russia began to view the Kola Peninsula as a strategic military very important region and established the Northern Fleet.

The most important industry is mining, in the Oblast apatite, nickel, iron ore, copper and other mineral resources are recovered. In addition, the fish have ( by the Gulf Stream is the port city of Murmansk ice ) and the timber industry importance.

Administrative divisions and cities

The main cities are Murmansk and Apatity. The population lives mainly on the Murmansk railway, connecting Murmansk with the southern parts of the country. The Murmansk Oblast is divided into 5 Rajons and 12 urban districts. The administrative center of Murmansk is the only major city. In total there are 16 cities in the oblast and 13 urban-type settlements, of which have six cities and three settlements the status of " closed- administrative-territorial formations " ( SATO ).

Policy

Acting Governor of the Oblast is since April 2012 Marina Kovtun.