Mogilev Region (Belarus)

The Saint Nicholas Monastery, Mogilev

Mogilev Region is one of the regions of Belarus. Its administrative center is the city of Mogilev. Important cities within the region include Mogilev, Asipovichy and Babruysk.

Geography

The Mogilev Region covers a total area of 29,100 km² (11,200 sq mi), about 14% of the national total. The oblast's greatest extent from north to south is 150 km (93 mi), from east to west - 300 km (190 mi), while the highest point is 239 meters (784 ft) above sea level and the lowest at 126 m (413 ft) above sea level.

Many rivers flow through the Mogilev Region including the Dnieper, Berezina, Sozh, Druts, Pronya and Ptsich. The oblast' also has small lakes, the largest being the Zaozerye Lake with a surface area of 0.58 km² (0.22 sq mi). The Chigirin Reservoir on the Druts River has an area of 21.1 km² (8.1 sq mi). The extreme eastern point of Belarus is situated within the Mogilev Region to the east of the Khotimsk District.

Climate

Mogilev Region has a temperate continental climate. The region has cold winters and warm summers. January's average temperature reaches from −8.2 °C (17.2 °F) in the northeast to −6.5 °C (20.3 °F) in the southwest. July's average temperature reaches from 17.8 °C (64.0 °F) in the northeast to 18.7 °C (65.7 °F) in the southwest. The region's average yearly vegetative period lasts around 183–194 days. The average precipitation is 575–675 millimeters (22.6–26.6 in) a year with approximately 70% falling during the warm season (April–October).

Demographics

With a total population of 1,088,100 (2011), 353,600 inhabitants live in rural areas and 855,000 live in cities or towns. Of the major nationalities living in the Mogilev Region, 1,044,000 inhabitants are Belarusians, 132,000 are Russians, 3,500 are Jewish, 2,800 are Poles, 2,110 are Ukrainians, 1,700 are Tatars, 1,300 are Lithuanians, 1,100 are Armenians, and 1,070 are Romani.

Tourism

The number of travel agencies in Mogilev Region has grown from 20 in 2000 to 50 in 2010, 12 of which provide agent services, the others are tour operators. Mogilev Region hosts 3-4% of all the organized tourist arrivals to the Republic of Belarus. The most popular cities to visit in the region are Mogilev and Bobruisk.