Ryazan

Capital city of Ryazan oblast (region), Russian Federation, 175 km/109 mi southeast of Moscow; population (1996 est) 536,000. Industries include engineering, oil refining, food processing, and a variety of light industries.

Ryazan has been known since 1095; from this time until its sacking by the Tatars, it was located further down the Oka River from its present site. It was the capital of Ryazan principality from the early 14th century until 1521, when it was annexed to Moscow. There are many historic buildings in the city, dating from the 14th to 19th centuries.

Ryazan

Oblast (region) in the western Russian Federation, southeast of Moscow; area 39,600 sq km/15,290 sq mi; population (1996) 1,325,000 (68% urban). Industries include engineering, food processing, and metalworking. Grain and potatoes are grown, and horticulture and dairy farming are widespread.

The region contains parts of the Meshchera lowlands in the north and the Oka–Don plain in the south. It is covered partly with mixed forest, and partly with wooded steppe vegetation. Cities include Ryazan.

The Ryazan region formed part of the medieval Chernihiv and Murom–Ryazan principalities. It was independent from the middle of the 12th century, and was absorbed by Muscovy in 1521.