Rostov

Oblast (region) in the southwestern Russian Federation; area 100,800 sq km/38,919 sq mi; population (1996) 4,425,000 (68% urban). Industries include engineering, coalmining, and food processing. Wine is produced, wheat, sunflowers, and vegetables are grown, and livestock are raised.

Geography The region is located in the floodplain of the lower River Don, and borders on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Azov in the west. There is a mild continental climate. There are black earth (chernozem) soils, steppe vegetation, coal deposits in the west (eastern extremity of the Donets Basin), iron ore, and natural gas. Cities include Rostov-on-Don (Rostov-na-Donu), Shakhty, Taganrog, and Novocherkassk.

Economy Industries include engineering (producing agricultural machinery, locomotives, machine tools, and boilers), coalmining, and food processing. Wine is produced extensively. Wheat, sunflowers, and vegetables are grown, and livestock (sheep and horses) are raised.