Penza Region

Description

Penza Oblast is a federal subject of Russia (an oblast). Its administrative center is the city of Penza. Population: 1,386,186 (2010 Census).

Geography

Main rivers

Penza Oblast has over 3000 rivers; the overall length is 15,458 km. The biggest rivers are:

Sura;
Moksha;
Khopyor.
Penza River gave its name to the city of Penza.

Fauna

There are 316 species of vertebrates within the region, including:

about 10 species of amphibians;
about 200 species of birds;
about 8 species of reptiles;
about 68 species of mammals (fox, rabbit, ferret, badger, squirrel).

Seven existing species of mammals were already acclimatized on land: the American mink, muskrat, raccoon dog, wild boar, Siberian roe deer, red deer and Sika deer. In parallel, work has been carried out to reintroduce the Forest-steppe marmot, the Eurasian beaver and the Russian desman (a species of mole that resembles a muskrat).

In the waters of Penza Oblast, there are about 50 species of fish. The largest body of water - the Sursko reservoir - is home to around 30 species. Commercial species include bream, silver bream, pikeperch, ide, and catfish. In the rivers and smalls pond dwell roach, perch, carp, and pike. The most valuable fish to be found in the natural waters is the sterlet.

History

The regional center of Penza was built in 1663 as a Russian fortress on the border of the Wild Fields, although evidence of the presence of more ancient settlements has been found in the modern city.

Penza Province was established within Kazan Governorate in 1718. It became a separate Penza Governorate on September 15, 1780, which existed until March 5, 1797, when it was dissolved and merged into Saratov Governorate. Penza Governorate was re-established on September 9, 1801 and existed until 1928. Between 1928 and 1937, the territory of the former governorate underwent a number of administrative transformations, ending up as a part of Tambov Oblast in 1937. On February 4, 1939, modern Penza Oblast was established by splitting it out of Tambov Oblast. In March 1939, the Penza Oblast Committee of the CPSU was formed, the first secretary of the committee being Alexander Kabanov.