Oryol Oblast

Oryol Oblast (Орло́вская о́бласть, Orlovskaya oblast) is a federal subject of Russia (an oblast). Its administrative center is the city of Oryol.

It is located in the southwestern part of the Central Federal District. Kaluga and Tula Oblasts border it in the north, Bryansk Oblast is located to the west, Kursk Oblast—to the south, and Lipetsk Oblast—to the east. From north to south, it extends for more than 150 km, and from west to east—for over 200 km. It is one of the smallest Russian regions at 24,700 km2, with a population of less than one million, viz 860,000, approximately 62% of which is urban and 38%—rural.

Geography
The oblast lies in the center of the Russian uplands within the steppe. The climate is temperate. The average January temperature is -8 °C and the average July temperature is 18 °C. Rainfall averages 490 to 590 mm, and snow cover averages 126 days. There are 4800 km2 of black earth soils (chernozems) in the oblast, which amounts to three-quarters of the world chernozem reserves.

History
It was created in 1937 out of three other oblasts: Kursk Oblast, Western Oblast, and Voronezh Oblast. It also included present Bryansk Oblast between 1937-1944.

Administrative divisions
Stavropol Oblast is divided into 27 districts (raions) and 9 cities. Together they comprise 12 towns, 24 urban-type settlements, and 224 selsoviets.

Urban Okrugs (Circles)

Rayons (Districts):

Economy
The main industries in Orel Region are the food and light industries, engineering and metalworking, and ferrous and nonferrous metallurgy. The engineering and metalworking industries manufacture production equipment for various industries, forklift trucks, construction and agricultural equipment, and machinery for municipal services. Numerous companies in the instrument-making and electronics sectors maintain high scientific and technical potential with the latest high-end technologies and experienced specialists.

Agriculture
Most of the Oblast's agricultural land is used for plant cultivation. Grain growing is very important, with winter wheat and rye being the main crops. Buckwheat, oats, barley, and potatoes are also grown, and sugar beets are in great demand. The area planted in feed grains is increasing due to the expansion of livestock farming, which includes beef and dairy cattle farming, pig farming, sheep farming for meat and wool, poultry farming, and horse breeding.

Demographics

 * 2008
 * Births: 8,345 (10.2 per 1000)
 * Deaths: 14,116 (17.3 per 1000)