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Krasnodar Krai

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Krasnodar Krai is a major federal subject of Russia. It is located in the North Caucasus region of southern Russia.

Krasnodar Krai map-en
Krasnodar Krai map-en

The region is part of the Southern Federal District. Many people also call this area Kuban. This name refers to the historical region between the Sea of Azov and the Kuban River. The administrative center of the territory is the city of Krasnodar. As of the 2021 Census, it was the third most populous federal subject in Russia. It had a total population of 5,838,273 people.

The geography of the region is split into two distinct zones. The Kuban River divides the land into northern and southern parts. The northern section consists of the Don Steppe. This area has a continental climate and a flat steppe zone. In contrast, the southern part contains the western extremity of the Caucasus range. This area sits within the Crimean Submediterranean forest complex ecoregion. The mountains in the south are very high. Mount Tsakhvoa is the highest peak at 3,186 meters. Mount Fisht is another important peak at 2,867 meters. It is the westernmost peak of the Great Caucasus that has a glacier.

The climate in the south is very different from the north. The southern coast has a Mediterranean or subtropical climate. The Caucasus Mountains act as a shield for the coast. They protect the area from cold winds coming from the north. This warmth makes the region a very popular location for tourists. Many small mountain rivers flow through these coastal areas. These rivers often create picturesque waterfalls. One notable body of water is Lake Abrau. It is the largest lake in the northeastern Caucasus region.

Krasnodar 002
Krasnodar 002

History in this region spans thousands of years. The earliest known inhabitants were the Maiōtai. They were the ancestors of the modern Circassians, Abkhazians, and Abazins. In the 6th century BC, Pontic Greeks founded cities like Phanagoria and Hermonassa.

Phanagoria excavations (2008)
Phanagoria excavations (2008)

Phanagoria served as the capital of Old Great Bulgaria in the 7th century. Later, the Khazars dominated the area from the 8th to the 10th centuries. Following the defeat of the Khazar Khanate in 965, Kievan Rus' took control. The region later saw rule by the Golden Horde and the Ottoman Empire. In 1783, the Russian Empire annexed the right-bank Kuban and the Taman Peninsula. The Cossacks moved to the area between 1792 and 1794. They formed the Black Sea Area troops. The main city was originally named Yekaterinodar before it was renamed Krasnodar in 1920.

Modern Krasnodar Krai has a very strong economy. It is a major hub for transportation and industry. The region contains significant infrastructure for the Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet. The city of Novorossiysk serves as Russia's main port on the Black Sea. Sochi is another famous city that hosted the XXII Olympic Winter Games in 2014. The region also saw massive infrastructure spending after the 2014 Olympics. Over $50 billion was spent on various projects, including a bullet train. The top export from the region is refined petroleum. Other major exports include wheat, seed oils, and hot-rolled iron bars.

The region is connected to many other places through complex transport networks. Several Russian Railways lines link the krai to Abkhazia and Ukraine. The Crimean Bridge connects the region to Crimea. There are also several major airports, including Sochi and Krasnodar International. The Apsheronsk narrow-gauge railway is a unique feature. It is the longest mountain narrow-gauge railway in Russia. The territory is divided into thirty-eight districts and fifteen cities of district equivalence. The Republic of Adygea is an enclave located entirely within the krai.

Natural disasters have also impacted the lives of people in the region. In July 2012, the area experienced extreme weather. Torrential rains caused the worst flooding and landslides in over seventy years. Over 150 mm of rain fell within just forty-eight hours. This was a typical amount for a four or five-month period. The floods caused at least 171 deaths. Most of these deaths occurred in the Krymsky District. A wave of water swept through the town of Krymsk in the middle of the night. The floods affected over 24,000 people and forced many evacuations. This event showed how powerful the local weather systems can be.

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🖼️ Images & Media (3)
File:Phanagoria excavations (2008).JPG
Phanagoria excavations (2008).JPG
File:Krasnodar Krai map-en.svg
Krasnodar Krai map-en.svg
File:Krasnodar 002.JPG
Krasnodar 002.JPG
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