Volga Federal District

The Volga Federal District is a large administrative region in southeastern European Russia, covering fourteen federal subjects from Bashkortostan to the Chuvash Republic. Most of this territory sits between the Volga plain and the Ural mountains, with wide river landscapes, industrial cities, and large areas of forest and steppe.

This administrative district was created in May 2000 to coordinate the regions along the Volga and the southern Urals. Nizhny Novgorod was chosen as the capital, from where the first envoy managed the different republics and territories.

People here speak Russian in daily life, though in rural areas you might hear Tatar or Bashkir languages as well. Many villages and small towns display a mix of Orthodox churches, Muslim mosques, and Soviet monuments, reflecting the history and different communities living together.

The territory spans three time zones, which means long travel times between eastern and western parts. Major cities are well connected by the Trans-Siberian Railway, while smaller places often rely on regional roads.

The region operates large pipeline systems from Western Siberia that supply local chemical plants. This infrastructure supports significant oil extraction, visible in many industrial areas you will find along the major rivers.

Location: Russia

Inception: May 13, 2000

Capital city: Nizhny Novgorod

Part of: European Russia

Shares border with: Southern Federal District, Central Federal District, Northwestern Federal District, Ural Federal District

Website: http://pfo.gov.ru

GPS coordinates: 56.33333,44.00000

Latest update: December 3, 2025 09:49