Subdivisions of Russia
Being the largest country in the world, and one of the most populated, Russia incorporates several types and levels of subdivisions.
Federal subjects
Main article: Federal subjects of Russia
Russia is a federation which consists of 89 subjects (Russian: субъект(ы); English transliteration: subyekty, sing. subyekt). These subjects are of equal federal rights in the sense that they have equal representation - 2 delegates each - in the Federation Council (upper house of the Russian parliament). However, they do differ in the degree of autonomy they enjoy.
Federal districts
Main article: Federal districts of Russia
All of the subjects are grouped into seven federal districts (Russian: федеральные округа, sing. федеральный округ; English transliteration: federalnyye okruga, sing. federalny okrug), each administered by a governor appointed by the president of the federation.
Economic regions
Main article: Economic regions of Russia
For economic and statistical purposes the federal subjects are also grouped into eleven economic regions (Russian: экономические районы, sing. экономический район; English transliteration: ekonomicheskiye rayony, sing. ekonomichesky rayon).
Lower level subdivisions
The federal subjects are further subdivided (level 2):
- Districts (Russian: районы, sing. район; English transliteration: rayony, sing. rayon). This is somewhat similar to the counties of the United States.
- Cities/towns and urban settlements under the jurisdiction of the federal subject.
- Autonomous districts under the jurisdiction of the federal subject.
Level 3 subdivisions include:
