Ulyanovsk

Oblast (region) in the west-central Russian Federation; area 37,300 sq km/14,402 sq mi; population (1996) 1,495,000 (73% urban). The capital is Ulyanovsk. Wheat, sunflowers, and maize are grown; there is cattle breeding. Industries include engineering, lumbering, and textile production. The region is situated mainly on the upland bordering the right bank of the middle reaches of the River Volga. The area on the river's left bank consists of forested steppe. Some 25% of the total area of Ulyanovsk is mixed forest.