Stavropol

Krai (territory) in the southwestern Russian Federation; area 80,600 sq km/31,120 sq mi; population (1996) 2,667,000 (54% urban). The capital is Stavropol. Wheat and sunflowers are grown, and cattle and sheep are raised. Natural gas is piped to Moscow and St Petersburg, and there are food-processing industries. There are spas and health resorts around Mineralnye Vody.

The region is situated in northern Caucasia, in the foothills of the main Caucasus Mountains. There is dry steppe in the northeast, and rich deposits of natural gas and mineral springs. The main rivers are the Kuban and the Kuma. Administratively, the Karachayevo-Cherkess Republic forms part of the territory. Cities include Pyatigorsk and Kislovodsk.

The region saw heavy fighting during the Russian Civil War (1918-20). The area now covered by Stavropol krai was first constituted as the Southeastern Oblast in 1924, changing to its present designation in 1943. Stavropol was occupied by German forces 1942-43.