Southern Russia

Introduction

Southern Russia (or the Southern Federal District) is one of the seven federal districts in Russia.

Regions

Southern Russia contains of 3 oblasts (provinces), 8 republics, and 2 krais (territories, basically the same as oblasts).

• Republic of Adygea
• Astrakhan Oblast
• Chechen Republic
• Republic of Dagestan
• Republic of Ingushetia
• Kabardino-Balkar Republic
• Republic of Kalmykia
• Karachay-Cherkess Republic
• Krasnodar Krai
• Republic of North Ossetia-Alania
• Stavropol Krai
• Rostov Oblast
• Volgograd Oblast

Cities

• Astrakhan
• Rostov-on-Don
• Krasnodar
• Volgograd
• Vladikavkaz
• Grozny
• Elista
• Sochi
• Anapa
• Mahachkala

Sights and Activities

Mount Elbrus

Mount Elbrus is officially the highest mountain in Europe at 5,642 metres above sea level. It is located in the western Caucasus Mountains, just north of the border with Georgia. The first ascent was in 1874, but the lower summit's (just 21 metres lower) first ascent was much earlier, in 1829. It's relatively easy nowadays to climb this mountain and thanks to a cable car it is now possible to start walking to the top just after midnight and return the next day before 3pm when the cable car has its last ride.

Sleep