Regions of Russia - Kostroma 101

Kostroma region (or, Kostromskaya) is situated in the European part of Russia, towards the northeast.  The region’s capital is Kostroma city. Kostroma region was created in 1944, on an area separated from neighboring territory of Yaroslavl region. Kostroma region touches the borders of the Ivanovo region in south, while in the west it shares borders with the Yaroslavl region. Its north and north-west borders join those of the Vologda region, whereas east and the north-east borders are along the Kirov region.

Population and Landscape

Region’s population is almost 650,000 and this includes 114 ethnic groups out of which Russian ethnicity makes up 96.6% of the total population. Its population density is 10.8 persons per square km. Kostroma region is spread in 60.2 thousand sq. km. area. It has thousands of rivers flowing across the region. The most important river in this region is the Volga. Also, it has two large lakes; Chuhlomskoe and Galich.

Climate:

Kostroma region’s climate is moderate with warm summers and cold winters. The coldest month is January with average temperature dropping to -12°C. Warmest month is July with +18°C temperature. The region witnesses snow cover for average 150 to 155 days. The snow coverage lasts from October to April and the maximum snow cover reaches 55 to 80 cm in February to March months.

Economy

Kostroma region has both industrial and agricultural economic aspects. Here, the main industries are timber, textile, chemical and engineering. The region has rich timber resources as nearly 60% of its area is covered by dense forests. It also happens to be an important highway and railway junction of Russia’s western parts.  Its textile industries are centuries old, having flourished since the early days of 18th century.

Tourism

Kostroma region provides excellent opportunity to tourists for learning about and seeing monuments of Russian architecture from the 16^th to 19^th centuries. 

Kostroma city in itself is 860 years old and happens to be a part of the legendary tourist route called “the Golden Ring of Russia”. A number of noble and merchant estates from the 19^th century have been preserved in the city. Kostroma region has overall 32 museums and more than 2500 monuments related to archeology, art and history and architecture. There are also many spots of pilgrimage tourism including the Holy Trinity Ipatiev Monastery and Bogoyavlensko-Anastasiin Convent.