Saratov

Oblast (region) in the southwestern Russian Federation; area 100,200 sq km/38,687 sq mi; population (1996) 2,739,000 (74% urban). The capital is Saratov. Industries include oil and gas extraction, hydroelectric power generation, engineering, chemicals (especially synthetic fibres), food processing, and cement manufacture. Wheat, sunflowers, and mustard are grown, and there is cattle breeding.

The region is situated on both the low left bank and the high right bank of the lower Volga. There is a dry continental climate. Vegetation ranges from wooded steppe on the black earth (chernozem) soils in the north to semi-desert on chestnut soils in the southeast. There are large deposits of natural gas, oil, and oil shales. Cities include Pokrovsk-Glazov, Volsk, and Balashov.

The area was virtually unpopulated until annexed by Muscovy in the mid-16th century. The region was gradually colonized, particularly from the late 18th century onwards.