Regions of Russia - Kursk 101

Kursk region (Kurskaya) has an ancient place in history and is supposed to have been home to a human population since the final days of the last Ice Age. The region’s capital city is Kursk and occupies the slopes on the southern side of the central-Russian plateau. Geographically, the region is in an advantageous position, bordering with Ukraine in the south-west to west; thus having contact with the European market. The largest cities in this region are the capital Kursk, Zheleznogorsk and Kurchatov.

Population and Landscape

The total population of Kursk is almost 1.2 million. It has a hilly surface, crisscrossed by ravines, low plains, slight slopes as well as comparatively mild winters grant it a suitable environment for farming. Much of its forest land has been cleared for the same purpose. Kursk region also has two major rivers; the Dnieper and the Don River. Overall, the region has more than 900 rivers or streams with a collective length of 8,000 kilometers. Other major rivers are the Psyol and the Seym. It also has over 500 small ponds and 145 man-made (artificial) lakes.

Climate

Kursk region is situated in a zone of moderate temperatures. Winters are reasonably cold while summers bring warmth. January sees lowest temperature; an average of - 6.4 °C. In July, the mercury rises up to + 21°C. The region’s location, which is in the middle of European part of Russia, provides it a moderate and continental climate. Summers are warm here and winters are relatively mild. Annual sunshine is the region is about 1,775 hours.

Economy:

The economy of Kursk region depends on two of its natural resources: fertile agricultural soil and world’ richest iron ore deposits. The region’s main industries involve mining & processing of iron ore, nuclear energy, petrochemical, engineering, sugar production and chemical. Kursk NPP is amongst Russia’s largest nuclear power plants. The region has vast agricultural land that accounts for 72% of the total area of this region. It has a huge transport system made up of roads and railways.

Tourism:

Kursk region has many fascinating places of tourist-attraction. The most famous among these is the town of Rylsk, which is considered to be  one of the most ancient Russian towns and has found a mention in chronicles as back as 1152. There are various civil monuments and church dating back to 18^th and 19^th centuries. It has a monastery in Korennaya Pustyn, a palace near village Ivanovskoye (Rylsk district), Avdeevka Site which is a site of ancient people and “Central Black Earth State Natural Reserve” where one can enjoy hiking.