Vitebsk Region

Vitebsk Region
Віцебская вобласць (in Belarusian)
Витебская область (in Russian)

Flag
Coat of arms
Administrative center Vitsebsk
Largest cities Vitsebsk - 342,400
Orsha - 125,300
Navapolatsk - 101,300
Raions 21
Cities - 19
Urban localities - 26
City raions 5
Area
 • Total 40,049.99 km2 (15,463.39 sq mi)
Population (2009 census)
 • Total 1,230,821
 • Density 31/km2 (80/sq mi)
Website www.vitebsk-region.gov.by

Vitebsk Region, Vitsebsk Voblast, or Vitebsk Oblast (Belarusian: Ві́цебская во́бласць, Viciebskaja Vobłasć, pronounced [ˈvʲitsʲɛpskaja ˈvɔblastsʲ]; Russian: Ви́тебская о́бласть, tr. Vitebskaya Oblast; IPA: [ˈvʲitʲɪpskəjə ˈobləsʲtʲ]) is a region (voblast) of Belarus with its administrative center being Vitebsk (Viciebsk). It is located near the border with Russia.

As of a 2011, the region had a population of 1,221,800.[1] It has the lowest population density in Belarus at 30.6 p/km².

Important cities within the region include Vitebsk, Orsha, and Polotsk/Navapolatsk.

Geography

Map of the administrative subdivisions of the Vitsebsk Voblast.

Vitsebsk Region covers an area of 40,000 km²,[1] which is about 19.4% of the national total. It is bordered on the north by Pskov Oblast of Russia, by Smolensk Oblast of Russia on the east, on the south by Minsk Region and by Mogilev Region, on the southwest by Minsk and Grodno Regions, and on the west and northwest by Vilnius and Utena Counties of Lithuania and Dagda, Daugavpils, Krāslava and Zilupe Municipalities of Latvia.

The northern extreme point of Belarus is situated in Verkhnyadzvinsk Raion of Vitebsk Region, north of Lake Osveya.[2]

In 2000 Belarusian scientists Alexey Solomonov and Valery Anoshko published a report in which they stated that the geographic centre of Europe was located near Lake Sho (Belarusian: Шо) in the Vitsebsk Voblast.

The region is known for its numerous lakes. The largest lakes of the Vitebsk Region are: Osveyskoye (2nd largest in Belarus), Lukomskoye (4th largest), Drivyaty(5th largest in Belarus and the largest of Braslav Lakes), Nescherdo, Snudy, Lisno, Ezerische, Strusto, Richi, Losvido, Lepelskoye.[3]

The region has more national parks, nature reserves, and wildlife preserves of national importance than any other region of Belarus. Braslav Lakes and Naroch National Parks and Berezinski Biosphere Reserve comprise 3,4% of the whole region's territory, and 22 wildlife preserves of national importance make up 4,1% of the region.[4]

Economy

Vitebsk Region has a number of important transport connections with Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic countries, and Poland.

Tourism

The number of travel agencies in Vitebsk Region has been growing, from 25 in 2000 to 83 in 2010; most provide both agent and operator activities.[5][6] The numerous lake resorts attract tourists for several-night stays. Polotsk and Vitebsk are the most popular cultural tourism destinations of the region.

Administrative subdivisions

The Vitsebsk Voblast is subdivided into 21 raions, 2 cities of oblast subordinance, 19 additional cities, 249 selsovets, and 26 urban-type settlements.

Cities

Demographics

As of 2008, the birth rate was 9.7 per 1000, while the death rate was 15.5 per 1000.[7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Main Geographic Characteristics of the Republic of Belarus. Territory and population density of Belarus by region as of January 1, 2011". Land of Ancestors. The Scientific and Production State Republican Unitary Enterprise “National Cadastre Agency” of the State Property Committee of the Republic of Belarus. 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  2. ↑ "Coordinates of the extreme points of the state frontier". Land of Ancestors. 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  3. ↑ "Main characteristics of the largest lakes of Belarus". Land of Ancestors. Data of the Research Laboratory for Lake Study of the Belarus State University. 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  4. ↑ "Nature reserves and national parks, wildlife preserves and nature sanctuaries". Land of Ancestors. Data of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus. 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
  5. ↑ Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus. (2011). "Number of organizations engaged in tourist activities in 2010 in Belarus". Land of Ancestors. National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  6. ↑ Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus. (2011). "Number of organisations engaged in tourist activities in Belarus by region". Land of Ancestors. National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  7. ↑ http://belstat.gov.by/homep/ru/news/news85.php

Coordinates: 55°20′N 29°00′E / 55.333°N 29.000°E / 55.333; 29.000

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