Samara area

Geographical location
Samara region is situated in the south-eastern part of Russia, in the middle current of the Volga river. The region occupies 53.6 thousand sq. km or 0.31% of the territory of Russia. Samara region borders on the Republic of Tatarstan in the north, on Saratov region in the south, on Orenburg region in the east, on Ulyanovsk region in the north-west. Length of the region from north to south is 335 km, from west to east - 315 km. Being partially wooded steppe region, Samara  region is covered by coniferous forests in the north, the south and the east is steppe zone. Zhigulevskye mountains are the biggest mountains and the most beautiful place in the region. Besides the Volga - main water artery of the region, the largest rivers are the Samara, the Sok, the Kinel, the Bolshoy Irgyz, the Kondurcha.
Samara region has sharp continental climate. Closeness of waterless Asian semideserts influences the climate of the southern districts of the region and causes droughts there. It makes considerable fields of the region zone of risk farming.

Natural resources
Main minerals of the region are oil and gas. There are also shale, clay, sulphur, mineral waters, table salt, building stone and others. Though Samara region is industrial region flora and fauna of the region are protected. Sanctuaries and natural reserves are of a great importance.

Administrative division
Samara region is divided into 25 districts, 11 towns of regional submission,23 town settlements, 278 villages.
Centre of the region is the town of Samara. It was founded in 1586. Distance to Moscow is 1,098 km.