Smolensk

Oblast (region) in the western Russian Federation; area 49,800 sq km/19,228 sq mi; population (1996) 1,172,000 (70% urban). The capital is Smolensk. There is flax growing, dairy farming, and food processing (mainly dairy products); also large-scale peat extraction and textile manufacture.

The region is situated on the Smolensk-Moscow uplands, which are largely composed of morainic material, fairly well dissected, and rise to over 300 m/984 ft. The climate is continental, although not extreme. About 30% of the area is covered by mixed forests. There are plentiful peat and lignite (brown coal) deposits (see Moscow Coal Basin). Cities include Roslavl and Vyazma.

The Smolensk region belonged to the medieval Kievan-Rus state, became an independent principality in 1127, Lithuanian in 1404, and Muscovite in 1514.