Voronezh Oblast, Administrative region in southwestern Russia.
This oblast lies in the southwestern plain of Russia and covers a wide area with river valleys, farmland and wooded zones. The administration is divided into several dozen districts that include cities, small towns and rural settlements.
The region was established in the mid-1930s when the Soviet administration reorganized the territory and combined urban and rural districts. Over the following decades the economy shifted from agriculture alone toward industry and engineering.
The region takes its name from the river and the main city, both of which have shaped local life for centuries. Visitors today see villages and small towns where wooden houses stand beside Soviet-era apartment blocks and where local markets offer fruit, vegetables and homemade food.
Travelers reach the region by train and overland roads that run from the capital and other major cities. Distances between places can be considerable, so it helps to choose the main destinations in advance and allow plenty of time.
An archaeological site in the area uncovered traces of human settlement going back several tens of thousands of years, among the oldest in all of Europe. Researchers have found remains of camps and tools there that show how early communities lived during the Ice Age.
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