Oblasts
- The most common federal subjects are oblasts. As of May 2011, there are 46 oblasts, also known as provinces or regions, recognized in the Constitution of the Russian Federation. Each oblast is named after its capital city. Although provincial legislatures are locally elected, governors of each oblast are appointed by the federal government. Unlike republics, oblasts have charters rather than constitutions.
Republics
- Republics are relatively autonomous in comparison to provinces and territories in the Russian Federation. Unlike oblasts and krais, republics have their own constitution and official language, along with Russian. Republics also have their own parliament and president. There are 21 republics in the Russian Federation, as of May 2011. Republics are often home to ethnic minorities and have been established since 1919. Despite their autonomy, republics are still represented by the federal government in international affairs.
Krais
- The Russian Federation includes nine krais, or territories. These regions are similar to oblasts, although they retain their designation as territories because of their historical role as frontier regions. They maintain their own elected legislatures and charters, and have governors appointed by the central government. As of May 2011, Russia's krais were Altay, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Perm, Primorsky, Stavropol and Zabaykalsky.
Autonomous Okrugs
- Autonomous okrugs, or autonomous districts, were once autonomous entities within oblasts and krais. They were created specifically for minor ethnic minorities, and as of May 2011, there are four in Russia. Autonomous okrugs remain administrative subdivisions of krais or oblasts. Although these districts are federal subjects, they remain administratively subordinate to the krai or oblast they are part of, with the exception of Chukotka. Khanty-Mansi and Yamalo-Nenets are subordinate to Tyumen Oblast, and Nenets is subordinate to Arkhangelsk Oblast.
Autonomous Oblasts
- Beginning in 1990, all of the autonomous oblasts were elevated to republics. The Jewish Autonomous Oblast is the only autonomous oblast or autonomous province remaining in the Russian Federation, as of May 2011. Tracing its roots to 1930, the region is located in the Russian Far East ,and from 1938 to 1991 it was an administrative subordinate of the Khabarovsk Territory. In 1991, the Jewish Autonomous Oblast was elevated to a full federal subject in the constitution.
Federal Cities
- Moscow and St. Petersburg are classified as federal cities or cities of federal importance in the Russian Federation, placing them above other cities in the country. They are federal subjects recognized in the constitution and act as separate regions. The mayors of Moscow and St. Petersburg are the administrative leaders of the regions, similar to governors in oblasts. Moscow shares its borders with the Moscow Oblast, while St. Petersburg is surrounded by the Leningrad Oblast.
