 Vladimir region was founded on August 14th, 1944.
It is located in the center of Russia European part and belongs to the central economic region of Russia. Vladimir region encompasses 16 districts, 21 cities, 36 towns, and 222 villages. The area of the region equals to 29 thousand sq. km. In 1996 the population of the region accounted to 1648300 people, among which 79.7% were urban residents. The population density is 57.2 person/sq.km. The region has been ranked 55th in Russia on the level of per capital income, and 47th on the price level.
The capital of the region is the city of Vladimir, which is 180 km. north-east from Moscow. Vladimir is also the center of the famous tourist route "Golden Ring of Russia".
The climate of the region is sparingly-continental. The average temperature in July is +17 +18.5 Centigrade +63,5 +65,5 F) , in January is -11 -12 Centigrade (+10,5 +12 F) . The average annual precipitation accounts to 480-580 mm. The vegetation period is about 160-180 days.
Vladimir does not rank among those regions with a wealth of mineral resources. Its main minerals are peat, carbonate rock, and a large reserves of moulding sand and brick clay. The region has significant deposits of peat amounting to 59 million tons (with 55% of water content). Total reserves of carbonate rock amounts to 30 million tons and are mainly located in the area of Oksko-Tsnininsky Hill, where its layers reach 130 meters (Kovrov, Vyazniki, Sudogda, and Selivanovo Districts). Very clean and free of admixtures quartz sand consisting of small particles can be found on the south of the Vladimir region (Gus-Khrustalny and Selivanovo Districts). Quartz sand is widely used in the production of glass and crystal. Also there are workable deposits of phosphorus, iron ore, and gypsum.
Timber is another major resource of the Vladimir region. Forests cover 1520.9 thousand ha of the region's territory and consist mainly of pine (54.8%), birch (28.1%), spruce (7.8%), aspen (6.4%), oak, lime, and alder (2.9%). On the territory of the area there are also natural sources of mineral water.
Vladimir region numbers amongst the most developed conomic areas in the Central Economic Region of Russia. The region's industrial production comprises 0.7% of the Russian roduction volume. As of January 1st, 1998, there are 20472 business enterprises operating on the territory of Vladimir region, among which 13000 represent small business. The industry represented by nine industrial branches plays a leading role in production. Measured by production volume, the region numbers amongst the first 20 of the 79 regions in Russia. More than 30000 different types of products are produced in the region. The products is of high demand in the local market, and has been ex ported in 70 countries. Compared with the majority of regions in central Russia there is no pronounced concentration of industrial enterprises in the center of the Vladimir region. Industrial enterprises and factories are to be found in all the cities and towns, states and many rural communities. In the region there are 6 independent commercial banks, and about 30 representative offices of commercial banks from other regions (24 of them are Moscow's).
Vladimir region has extensive foreign trade relationships. Agreements on the economic cooperation and trade relationships have been concluded with 43 regions in the CIS states as well as with individual companies in Estonia, Slovakia, Czech, China, France, Hungary, Poland, and Venezuela.
Vladimir region is the surprising ancient territory, which has concentrated a significant part of historical-cultural property of Russia, its unique appearance amazes the visitors from all countriesmany centuries with beauty and greatness .
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