Tomsk Oblast, Administrative division in southwestern Siberian Federal District, Russia
Tomsk Oblast sits in the southwestern part of the Siberian Federal District and borders several other Russian administrative regions. The territory covers forested lowlands, expansive wetlands, and several larger towns that serve as regional centers.
The oblast came into being in August 1944 as a separate administrative unit during the Soviet period. Before this reorganization, the area belonged to other Siberian regions that had undergone several territorial changes over the centuries.
The region maintains multiple educational institutions, including Tomsk State University, which opened its doors in 1888 as the first university in Asian Russia.
The region can be reached through air connections to Tomsk and several railway lines that link different parts of the territory. Travelers planning to cover longer distances should allow for extended travel times, as many places are spread far apart.
The Vasyugan Swamp within the oblast ranks among the largest peatland systems worldwide and stores considerable amounts of carbon. These sprawling wetlands also influence the local climate and support rare plant and animal species.
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