Magadan Oblast facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Magadan OblastМагаданская область (Russian) |
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| — Oblast — | |||||
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| Political status | |||||
| Country | Russia | ||||
| Federal district | Far Eastern Federal District | ||||
| Economic region | Far Eastern Economic Region | ||||
| Established | December 3, 1953 | ||||
| Administrative center | Magadan | ||||
| Government (as of June 2014) | |||||
| • Governor | Sergey Nosov | ||||
| • Legislature | Magadan Oblast Duma | ||||
| Statistics | |||||
| Area (as of the 2002 Census) | |||||
| • Total | 461,400 km2 (178,100 sq mi) | ||||
| Area rank | 11th | ||||
| Population (2010 Census) | |||||
| • Total | 156,996 | ||||
| • Rank | 81st | ||||
| • Density | 0.34/km2 (0.88/sq mi) | ||||
| Population (January 2014 est.) | |||||
| • Total | 150,312 | ||||
| Time zone(s) | MAGT (UTC+12:00) | ||||
| ISO 3166-2 | RU-MAG | ||||
| License plates | 49 | ||||
| Official languages | Russian; Even | ||||
| Official website: http://www.magadan.ru/ | |||||
Magadan Oblast is one of Russia's 85 federal subjects. It is located in the Asian part of Russia. This region is part of the Far Eastern District. This district also includes ten other federal subjects.
Contents
History of Magadan Oblast
In the past, the native Even people lived in Magadan. They were nomads, meaning they did not stay in one place. They moved around to herd reindeer, hunt, and fish.
Early Russian Explorers
Europeans from Russia first arrived in the 17th century. They explored the Far East looking for furs and gold. They named this area Kolyma, a name still used today.
Gold Rush and Development
Gold and platinum were found in the early 1800s. In the 1930s, under Stalin, the Soviet Union was growing fast. This was due to industrialization. More gold was needed to pay for this growth. Many mines opened in the Magadan region.
Labor Camps in Kolyma
Many special camps, called gulags, were also built. These camps housed a large number of people who were brought in to work. They helped dig for minerals or build roads. Magadan became known for having the most gulag camps in the Far East. After Stalin's death in 1953, these camps slowly closed. Most people were released.
Modern Mining and Changes
Mining continued with paid workers. Later, living standards dropped as the Soviet Union tried to fix its economy. Many people left Magadan to find a better life. Magadan Oblast is still a federal subject in Russia today.
Geography and Climate
Magadan is in the far eastern part of Siberia. This means it has a subarctic climate. Winters are long and very cold. Summers are short and mild. The area does not get much rain.
Landscape and Resources
The land is mostly mountains. However, it is flatter near the Sea of Okhotsk. Magadan is home to many animals, birds, and plants. The region is also very rich in minerals. These include gold, silver, tin, and tungsten.
People of Magadan
The number of people living in Magadan has been going down. This trend started after the Soviet Union ended. Most people live in cities and towns. The capital city, Magadan, is where many people live.
Ethnic Groups and Languages
Most of the people are Russians. The native Even people and other groups make up a small part of the population. Most people in Magadan follow Orthodox Christianity. Some are spiritual but do not belong to a religion. Some Even people still practice Shamanism. This is a belief system that respects spirits and nature.
Education and Language Use
Russian is the main language taught and used. However, the local Even language is still taught. It is taught in some pre-schools and elementary schools. People mostly use Even at home.
Economy of Magadan
Magadan's economy mainly depends on mining. They mine minerals like gold, silver, and tin. In 2005, President Vladimir Putin supported lower taxes for mining businesses.
Other Industries and Challenges
Fishing is another important industry. It is hard to raise animals or grow crops due to the cold climate. Because of this, food products must be brought into Magadan. Many people in the area do not have jobs. This is because many companies have closed. The harsh climate and old equipment are some reasons for this.
Economic Development Efforts
The government has created a Special Economic Zone in Magadan. This zone will last until December 31, 2025. This was done to encourage businesses and investors to come to Magadan.
Government and Leadership
The Governor of Magadan is the leader of the oblast. The public votes for the Governor every five years.
Magadan Oblast Duma
The Magadan Oblast Duma is the region's parliament. The Duma's lawmakers are also chosen by public vote. They are elected every five years. Most lawmakers in the Duma are from the United Russia party. This is the main ruling party in Russia.
Getting Around Magadan
Magadan is connected to the rest of Russia by one road. This road is called the Kolyma Highway. There are no railway lines working in the area right now.
Future Plans and Travel Options
However, there are plans for a new railway line. This line would go through Magadan towards Chukotka. For long-distance travel, people can also use planes or ships. The oblast has several airports, like Sokol Airport. Flights from these airports connect Magadan to cities far away. But there are no international flights from Magadan.
Images for kids
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Jack London Lake
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Burkhalinsky Pass as seen from the Susuman side
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Gertner Bay, Magadan
