Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug

District within Tyumen oblast (region) in the west-central Russian Federation; area 750,300 sq km/289,691 sq mi; population (1996) 488,000 (83% urban). The capital is Salekhard. There is natural gas extraction, fishing, reindeer breeding, and fur trapping.

The district comprises a large area of low-lying tundra in northwestern Siberia around the lower Ob River, and including the Yamal Peninsula. There are extensive coniferous forests in the south.

The population includes Russians (59%), Ukrainians (17%), and Nentsy (Samoyeds) (4%).

The region was first explored by Russian trappers in the 11th century. It was incorporated into Russia in the late 16th century, and became the Yamalo-Nenets National Okrug in 1930. Until the mid-1950s, the Yamalo-Nenets district was used as an area of banishment and forced labour camps.