Krais of Russia

A krai (Russian: край, tr. kray, IPA: [kraj], lit. 'edge') is a type of federal subject of the Russian Federation. The country is divided into 89 federal subjects, of which nine are krais. Oblasts, another type of federal subject, are legally identical to krais and the difference between a political entity with the name "krai" or "oblast" is purely traditional, similar to the commonwealths in the United States; both are constituent entities equivalent in legal status in Russia with representation in the Federation Council. During the Soviet era, the autonomous oblasts could be subordinated to republics or krais, but not to oblasts. Outside of political terminology, both words have a very similar general meaning ("region" or "area" in English) and can often be used interchangeably. When a distinction is desirable, "krai" is sometimes translated into English as "territory",[2] while "oblast" can variously be translated to "province" or "region", but both of these translations are also reasonable interpretations of "krai".

Krais
  • Also known as:
  • Krays
CategoryFederated state
Location Russian Federation
Number9
Populations322,079 (Kamchatka Krai) – 5,404,300 (Krasnodar Krai)
Areas117,600 sq mi (304,500 km2) (Stavropol Krai) – 903,400 sq mi (2,339,700 km2) (Krasnoyarsk Krai)[1]
Government
  • Krai Government
Subdivisions

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