Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast ( uk, Іва́но-Франкі́вська о́бласть, translit=Ivano-Frankivska oblast), also referred to as Ivano-Frankivshchyna ( uk, Іва́но-Франкі́вщина), is an
oblast
An oblast (; ; Cyrillic (in most languages, including Russian and Ukrainian): , Bulgarian: ) is a type of administrative division of Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Ukraine, as well as the Soviet Union and the Kingdo ...
(region) in
western Ukraine
Western Ukraine or West Ukraine ( uk, Західна Україна, Zakhidna Ukraina or , ) is the territory of Ukraine linked to the former Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia, which was part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Austr ...
. Its
administrative center
An administrative center is a seat of regional administration or local government, or a county town, or the place where the central administration of a commune is located.
In countries with French as administrative language (such as Belgium, Lu ...
is the city of
Ivano-Frankivsk. As is the case with most other oblasts of
Ukraine
Ukraine ( uk, Україна, Ukraïna, ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which it borders to the east and northeast. Ukraine covers approximately . Prior to the ongoing Russian inva ...
this region has the same name as its administrative center – which was renamed by the
Soviet Ukrainian authorities after the Ukrainian writer
Ivan Franko on 9 November 1962. It has a population of
Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast is also known to Ukrainians by a deep-rooted alternative name: ''
Prykarpattia'' (although some sources may also consider the southern
Lviv Oblast
Lviv Oblast ( uk, Льві́вська о́бласть, translit=Lvivska oblast, ), also referred to as Lvivshchyna ( uk, Льві́вщина, ), ). The name of each oblast is a relational adjective—in English translating to a noun adjunct w ...
including such cities as
Stryi
Stryi ( uk, Стрий, ; pl, Stryj) is a city located on the left bank of the river Stryi in Lviv Oblast (region) of western Ukraine 65 km to the south of Lviv (in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains). It serves as the administrative cen ...
,
Truskavets, and
Drohobych, as also part of Prykarpattia). Prykarpattia, together with
Lviv
Lviv ( uk, Львів) is the largest city in Western Ukraine, western Ukraine, and the List of cities in Ukraine, seventh-largest in Ukraine, with a population of . It serves as the administrative centre of Lviv Oblast and Lviv Raion, and is o ...
and
Ternopil
Ternópil ( uk, Тернопіль, Ternopil' ; pl, Tarnopol; yi, טאַרנאָפּל, Tarnopl, or ; he, טארנופול (טַרְנוֹפּוֹל), Tarnopol; german: Tarnopol) is a city in the west of Ukraine. Administratively, Terno ...
regions, was the main body of the historic region of eastern
Halychyna; which in the 13th century was a part of the Kingdom of Rus and the Halych-Volyn Principality (see
Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia). Along with the Lviv and Ternopil regions ''Prykarpattia'' is a component of the
Carpathian Euroregion.
During the times of the
Second Polish Republic the area was known as
Stanisławów Voivodeship (1918–1939) and later, after the
Soviet invasion of Poland
The Soviet invasion of Poland was a military operation by the Soviet Union without a formal declaration of war. On 17 September 1939, the Soviet Union invaded Poland from the east, 16 days after Nazi Germany invaded Poland from the west. Subs ...
, as Stanislav Oblast (1939–1962). During
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
it was part of the
District of Galicia in
General Governorate. Until the 20th century the major center of the region was the city of
Kolomyia
Kolomyia, formerly known as Kolomea ( ua, Коломия, Kolomyja, ; pl, Kołomyja; german: Kolomea; ro, Colomeea; yi, ), is a city located on the Prut River in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast ( province), in western Ukraine. It serves as the ad ...
(which is a major cultural center of
Pokuttya
Pokuttia, also known as Pokuttya or Pokutia ( uk, Покуття, Pokuttya; pl, Pokucie; german: Pokutien; ro, Pocuția), is a historical area of East-Central Europe, situated between the Dniester and Cheremosh rivers and the Carpathian Mounta ...
, the traditional name for the southern part of the oblast).
Name
On November 9, 1962, a decree was issued by the Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada of the UkrSSR, according to which: "Taking into account the wishes of the labor collectives of the city and region, the Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada of the USSR decided to rename the city of Stanislav (Stanislaviv) to Ivano-Frankivsk, and the Stanislav Oblast to Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast." The renaming was timed to the 300th anniversary of the city's founding and in honor of the outstanding Ukrainian writer
Ivan Franko.
As with the rest of Ukraine's oblasts Ivano-Frankivsk may also be known by its matronymical name ''Ivano-Frankivshchyna ('' uk, Івано-Франківщина). However, that name did not receive general public acceptance and commonly Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast is almost always called ''
Prykarpattia'' (en. Prekarpathians) – a historic name for the same region. (Geographically the historic region covers a much larger portion of Ukraine than just the Ivano-Frankivsk region.) Formerly as Stanislavshchyna or Stanyslavivshchyna – uk, Станіславщина, Станиславівщина.
Geography
Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast borders
Lviv Oblast
Lviv Oblast ( uk, Льві́вська о́бласть, translit=Lvivska oblast, ), also referred to as Lvivshchyna ( uk, Льві́вщина, ), ). The name of each oblast is a relational adjective—in English translating to a noun adjunct w ...
to its north and west,
Zakarpattia Oblast to its south-west, has a 50-km long state border with
Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, S ...
(
Maramureș County) to its immediate south, and it borders
Chernivtsi Oblast to the south-east and
Ternopil Oblast
Ternopil Oblast ( uk, Тернопі́льська о́бласть, translit=Ternopilska oblast; also referred to as Ternopilshchyna, uk, Терно́пільщина, label=none, or Ternopillia, uk, Тернопілля, label=none) is an obl ...
to the east. It is situated partly in the
Eastern European Plain and partly
Carpathian Foothills. The oblast may be divided into three regions: mountainous, pre-mountainous, and plains.
The climate is mildly-continental and damp with cool summers and mild winters. The average monthly temperature in June is with in the mountains. The average monthly temperature in January is with in the mountains. Average precipitation varies annually around with in the mountains.
Relief
The region is situated between two main regional tectonic plates: Carpathian fold belt and Volhynia-Podillya plate. The most prominent features of the first one are the
Carpathian Mountains, while the second one -
Dniester
The Dniester, ; rus, Дне́стр, links=1, Dnéstr, ˈdⁿʲestr; ro, Nistru; grc, Τύρᾱς, Tyrās, ; la, Tyrās, la, Danaster, label=none, ) ( ,) is a transboundary river in Eastern Europe. It runs first through Ukraine and t ...
river.
The Carpathian Mountains contribute tremendously to the change in relief of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast and their elevation rises from north-east to south-west stretching along the oblast's south-western border. The elevation of the oblast varies from 230m to 2,061m
above sea level. The mountains occupy almost one half of the whole Oblast and consist of two main mountain ranges: the
Gorgany (highest peak – Mt. Syvulya Major (1,836m)) and the
Chornohora
Chornohora (literally: "Black Mountain"; uk, Чорногора, romanized: ''Chornohora'') is the highest mountain range in Western Ukraine. It is within the Polonynian Beskids, a subgroup of the mountain group of Eastern Beskids, which in tu ...
range (highest peak – Mt.
Hoverla (2,061m)).
The rest of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast is located within the
Dniester river and
Prut river valleys. The plains of the oblast are part of the
Carpathian Foothills and
Opillia Upland (part of
Podillia Upland) which are cut through by
Dniester
The Dniester, ; rus, Дне́стр, links=1, Dnéstr, ˈdⁿʲestr; ro, Nistru; grc, Τύρᾱς, Tyrās, ; la, Tyrās, la, Danaster, label=none, ) ( ,) is a transboundary river in Eastern Europe. It runs first through Ukraine and t ...
. The
upland has a temperate-climate habitat mixed with
grassland
A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominated by grasses ( Poaceae). However, sedge ( Cyperaceae) and rush ( Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes, like clover, and other herbs. Grasslands occur na ...
and
woodland
A woodland () is, in the broad sense, land covered with trees, or in a narrow sense, synonymous with wood (or in the U.S., the '' plurale tantum'' woods), a low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade (see ...
– also known as the
forest steppe. The relief of the region consists mostly of
rolling hills of 230-400m over the sea level. Near river valleys are common
canyons and
ravines.
A particular feature of the southern region of the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast is Stanislav Canyon, in the so-called Kherson Mountains, a deep cut in the local topography where episodic water flowing into the Baltic has steeply eroded a canyon formation.
The Dniester flows mainly through the
Halych Raion and along the administrative border between Ivano-Frankivsk and
Ternopil Oblast
Ternopil Oblast ( uk, Тернопі́льська о́бласть, translit=Ternopilska oblast; also referred to as Ternopilshchyna, uk, Терно́пільщина, label=none, or Ternopillia, uk, Тернопілля, label=none) is an obl ...
s. The territory of the region within immediate proximity to the river is traditionally known as ''Opillia''. Opillia, however, stretches far beyond the oblast and only covers two of its raions:
Halych Raion and
Rohatyn Raion
Rohatyn Raion ( uk, Рога́тинський райо́н, translit=Rohatynśkyj rajon) was a raion (district) of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast (region). The town of Rohatyn was the administrative center of the raion. The raion was abolished on 18 Jul ...
, both located in the north. Relief in the area consists of rolling hills uplands.
The Carpathian foothills consist mostly of low denudation accumulative uplands, while the right bank of Dniester along the border with the
Ternopil Oblast
Ternopil Oblast ( uk, Тернопі́льська о́бласть, translit=Ternopilska oblast; also referred to as Ternopilshchyna, uk, Терно́пільщина, label=none, or Ternopillia, uk, Тернопілля, label=none) is an obl ...
depicts
karst type relief of
Pokuttia Upland. Because of it near that area along
Dniester
The Dniester, ; rus, Дне́стр, links=1, Dnéstr, ˈdⁿʲestr; ro, Nistru; grc, Τύρᾱς, Tyrās, ; la, Tyrās, la, Danaster, label=none, ) ( ,) is a transboundary river in Eastern Europe. It runs first through Ukraine and t ...
relief shows forms of
canyon. Pokuttia Upland between
Bystrytsia of Nadvirna and
Prut River (Prut-Bystrytsia Upland) serves as drainage divide within the oblast between Dniester and Prut. Carpathian foothills have two depressions: one is at the confluence of
Bystrytsia of Solotvyn,
Bystrytsia of Nadvirna,
Vorona and
Bystrytsia rivers, called Bystrytsia Depression, and another is around the city of
Kalush, called Kalush Depression.
Hydrology
Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast has a plethora of rivers, waterfalls, mountainous brooks, and smaller ponds, but there is almost no other type of bodies of water such as lakes and water reservoirs. Most of rivers either flow into
Dniester
The Dniester, ; rus, Дне́стр, links=1, Dnéstr, ˈdⁿʲestr; ro, Nistru; grc, Τύρᾱς, Tyrās, ; la, Tyrās, la, Danaster, label=none, ) ( ,) is a transboundary river in Eastern Europe. It runs first through Ukraine and t ...
or
Prut River (tributary of
Danube
The Danube ( ; ) is a river that was once a long-standing frontier of the Roman Empire and today connects 10 European countries, running through their territories or being a border. Originating in Germany, the Danube flows southeast for , pa ...
). The total water drainage area of the region is . Segments of Dniester and
Cheremosh River
The Cheremosh River (, , ) is a river in western Ukraine, right-bank tributary of the river Prut.
Description
It is formed by confluence of two upper streams of the river ''Bilyi Cheremosh'' (White Cheremosh) and ''Chornyi Cheremosh'' (Black Ch ...
are used as administrative borders with
Ternopil
Ternópil ( uk, Тернопіль, Ternopil' ; pl, Tarnopol; yi, טאַרנאָפּל, Tarnopl, or ; he, טארנופול (טַרְנוֹפּוֹל), Tarnopol; german: Tarnopol) is a city in the west of Ukraine. Administratively, Terno ...
and
Chernivtsi oblasts respectfully.
The water drainage divide between Dniester and Prut cuts the region through middle of following districts:
Nadvirna Raion,
Kolomyia Raion,
Tlumach Raion, and
Horodenka Raion
Horodenka Raion ( uk, Городе́нківський райо́н, translit=Horodenkiwśkyj rajon) was a raion (district) of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast (region) of Ukraine. The city of Horodenka was the administrative center of the raion. The raion ...
.
Nature Sanctuaries
The region is a home to some 456 preserved areas (on June 1, 2006) of some , 30 out of which are of all-national importance with an area of and the rest of a local importance. In the Ivano-Frankivsk Region is located a strict nature reserve Gorgany that was created in 1996. There are five
national parks in the region. There are numerous natural monuments of feature and habitat management areas (
zakazniks).
Government
The government in the region is headed by the chairman of the regional state administration (for simplicity sake - governor) appointed by the
President of Ukraine
The president of Ukraine ( uk, Президент України, Prezydent Ukrainy) is the head of state of Ukraine. The president represents the nation in international relations, administers the foreign political activity of the state, condu ...
. The governor appoints his deputies forming his regional governing cabinet to supervise the government policies in the region. Aside of the state administration the region has its own council that is headed by its chairman. The composition of the council depends on the popular vote in the region, while the chairman is elected within the elected council.
;Regional State Administration
Regional State Administration consists of the chairman and his deputies (5) supported by the "aparat" of the administration. Within the administration are numerous departments, each of them headed by a chief of department. The Ivano-Frankivsk Region State Administration has 17 departments and other government institutions such as the Children Service, regional state archives, and others.
* Office of State Administration
* Chief Department of Economy
* Chief Financial Department
* Chief Department industry and infrastructure development
* Chief Department of tourism, Euro-integration, foreign relations, and investments
* Chief Department of legal and interior policies
* Chief Department of family, youth, and sports
* Chief Department of labor and social security
* Department of culture
* Chief Department of agro-industrial development
* Chief Department of regional development and construction
* Department of communal management
* Department of urban development and architecture
* Chief Department of Education and Science
* Chief Department of Health Security
* Department of Extraordinary Situation and Protection of Population from Consequences of the Chornobyl Catastrophe
* Media Department
* Department of resources and management support
* Children Service
* Inspection of the State Technical Supervision
* Inspection of quality and formation of resources of agricultural products
* State Archives of the Region
* Ivano-Frankivsk regional center for preparation and improving the qualification of workers of bodies of state power, bodies of local self-governing, state enterprises, institutions, and organizations
;Regional council
*Chairman: Oleksandr Sych (
Svoboda)
Regional subdivisions
Since July 2020, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast is administratively subdivided into six ''
raions
A raion (also spelt rayon) is a type of administrative unit of several post-Soviet states. The term is used for both a type of subnational entity and a division of a city. The word is from the French (meaning 'honeycomb, department'), and is com ...
''. These are
*
Ivano-Frankivsk Raion
*
Kalush Raion
Kalush Raion ( uk, Ка́луський райо́н, translit=Kalushsky raion) is a raion (district) of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast (province). The city of Kalush is the administrative center of the raion. Population: .
On 18 July 2020, as part of t ...
*
Kolomyia Raion
*
Kosiv Raion
*
Nadvirna Raion
*
Verkhovyna Raion
Verkhovyna Raion ( uk, Верхови́нський райо́н, translit=Verchovynśkyj rajon) is a raion (district) of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast (region). The urban-type settlement of Verkhovyna is the administrative center of the raion. The raion ...
Primary divisions
The Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast is administratively subdivided into 14
district
A district is a type of administrative division that, in some countries, is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or counties, several municipalities, subdivision ...
s (
raions
A raion (also spelt rayon) is a type of administrative unit of several post-Soviet states. The term is used for both a type of subnational entity and a division of a city. The word is from the French (meaning 'honeycomb, department'), and is com ...
) as well as 6 cities (
municipalities
A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate.
The term ''municipality'' may also mean the ...
) which represent a separate raion and in direct subordination to the regional government, among which are
Bolekhiv,
Kalush,
Kolomyya,
Yaremche
Yaremche ( uk, Яре́мче, translit=Jaremče, pl, Jaremcze or Jaremcza) is a city in Nadvirna Raion, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast (province) of west Ukraine. The city is located at the altitude of around above mean sea level. Yaremche hosts th ...
, and the administrative center of the region,
Ivano-Frankivsk.
Burshtyn became the 6th city of regional importance in 2014. The formation of the region was established in 1921 in the
Second Polish Republic and was in majority preserved during the Soviet times. Most of the districts (former powiats) were reestablished as well in 1960s. The major industrial and cultural centers of the region were given a wider form of autonomy and assigned as the cities of regional subordination.
Secondary divisions
City municipalities (councils)/mayors
The oblast has 15 cities which are (alphabetical order):
Bolekhiv,
Burshtyn,
Dolyna,
Halych,
Horodenka
Horodenka ( uk, Городе́нка, pl, Horodenka, occasionally ''Horodence'', yi, האראדענקע ''Horodenke'') is a city located in Kolomyia Raion, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, in Western Ukraine. It hosts the administration of Horodenka ...
,
Ivano-Frankivsk,
Kalush,
Kolomyia
Kolomyia, formerly known as Kolomea ( ua, Коломия, Kolomyja, ; pl, Kołomyja; german: Kolomea; ro, Colomeea; yi, ), is a city located on the Prut River in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast ( province), in western Ukraine. It serves as the ad ...
,
Kosiv,
Nadvirna,
Rohatyn,
Sniatyn
Sniatyn ( uk, Сня́тин, translit=Sniatyn; pl, Śniatyn; ro, Sneatîn, older ; yi, שניאַטין) is a town located in Kolomyia Raion of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, in western Ukraine along the Prut river. It is located at around . Sniaty ...
,
Tlumach,
Tysmenytsia
Tysmenytsia ( uk, Ти́смениця, translit=Tysmenycia; pl, Tyśmienica) is a city in Ivano-Frankivsk Raion, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast of western Ukraine. It hosts the administration of Tysmenytsia urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukr ...
, and
Yaremche
Yaremche ( uk, Яре́мче, translit=Jaremče, pl, Jaremcze or Jaremcza) is a city in Nadvirna Raion, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast (province) of west Ukraine. The city is located at the altitude of around above mean sea level. Yaremche hosts th ...
. Five of those cities are of regional importance and the other ten are of district importance. All cities have its own council and mayor that represent a local form of self-government allowed by the laws on local administration and the
Constitution of Ukraine. City municipalities of the region are independent from any district administration.
Town municipalities (councils)
Within the region there are 24 urbanized settlements (towns) which are a special settlement classification inherited from the Soviet municipal organization. Three of those towns serve as administrative centers of their respective districts. Each town has its own council that along with surrounding village councils compose a district administration which has its own executive branch, District State Administration, appointed by the
President of Ukraine
The president of Ukraine ( uk, Президент України, Prezydent Ukrainy) is the head of state of Ukraine. The president represents the nation in international relations, administers the foreign political activity of the state, condu ...
. Towns do not have a mayoral office and their head of the council serves as the main representative of the whole settlement.
Village municipalities (councils)
All other settlements in the region are considered rural and accounted for some 765 localities including villages and 20 selyshches (smaller villages) which are administered by 477 village councils. Some village municipalities consist of several villages, while others are a single-village municipality. There are several villages that are part of city municipalities such as Ivano-Frankivsk, Bolekhiv, and Yaremcha, while all others are spread out across the districts of the region.
Historical overview of subdivisions
When on November 27, 1939, the Soviet regime was established in
Stanisławów Voivodeship, the Polish administrative division of it was kept almost the same until January 17, 1940. Only two powiats Stryi and Zydaczow were transferred away.
On December 4, 1939, the voivodeship was officially renamed into Stanislav Oblast. In 1940 the oblast was redivided into 37 raions and two municipalities (cities of oblast subordination). The administrative centers of the former raions were following settlements: Bohorodchany (town), Bolekhiv (city), Bilshivtsi (town), Bukachivtsi (village), Burshtyn (town), Voinylov (village), Vyhoda (village), Halych (town), Hvizdets (town), Horodenka (town), Delyatyn (town), Dolyna (city),
Zhabie (village),
Zhovten (town), Zabolotiv (town), Kalush (city), Kolomyia (city), Korshiv (village), Kosiv (city), Kuty (town), Lanchyn (town), Lysets (town), Nadvirna (city), Novytsya (village), Obertyn (town), Otynya (town), Pechenizhyn (town), Rohatyn (city), Rozhnyativ (town), Snyatyn (city), Solotvyn (town), Stanislav (city), Tlumach (city), Tysmenytsya (town), Chernelytsya (town), Yabluniv (town), Yaremcha (village). Two municipalities were cities of Stanislav and Kolomyia. On November 11, 1940, Delyatyn Raion was liquidated. On November 16, 1940, Novytsya Raion was re-administrated under town of
Perehinske.
During the World War II the region was occupied by the
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany (lit. "National Socialist State"), ' (lit. "Nazi State") for short; also ' (lit. "National Socialist Germany") (officially known as the German Reich from 1933 until 1943, and the Greater German Reich from 1943 to 1945) was ...
(see
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa (german: link=no, Unternehmen Barbarossa; ) was the invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany and many of its Axis allies, starting on Sunday, 22 June 1941, during the Second World War. The operation, code-named afte ...
). Along with Lviv, Drohobych and Tarnopil oblasts, it was reorganized on August 1, 1941, into
Distrikt Galizien
The District of Galicia (german: Distrikt Galizien, pl, Dystrykt Galicja, ua, Дистрикт Галичина) was a World War II administrative unit of the General Government created by Nazi Germany on 1 August 1941 after the start of O ...
centered in Lemberg and annexed to the
General Government
The General Government (german: Generalgouvernement, pl, Generalne Gubernatorstwo, uk, Генеральна губернія), also referred to as the General Governorate for the Occupied Polish Region (german: Generalgouvernement für die be ...
. The area of the former Stanislav Oblast was divided into three kreis (counties): Kalusz, Stanislau, and Kolomea. On July 27, 1944, the region was liberated from the
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany (lit. "National Socialist State"), ' (lit. "Nazi State") for short; also ' (lit. "National Socialist Germany") (officially known as the German Reich from 1933 until 1943, and the Greater German Reich from 1943 to 1945) was ...
by the
Soviet Army
uk, Радянська армія
, image = File:Communist star with golden border and red rims.svg
, alt =
, caption = Emblem of the Soviet Army
, start_date ...
(see
Lvov–Sandomierz Offensive).
The administrative division of Stanislav Oblast was reinstated and confirmed on January 1, 1947, with the same 36 raions and two municipalities as their existed before the war. Several settlements, however, had their status elevated. The status of a town obtained Bukachivtsi, Vyhoda, and Yaremcha, while Halych and Horodenka became recognized as cities. The next major changes in the region took place in the late 1950s. In 1957 five raions were liquidated: Vyhoda, Zhovten, Kuty, Pechenizhyn, and Chernelytsya. Then another five were liquidated in 1959: Bukachivtsi, Korshiv, Perehinske, Solotvyn, and Stanislav. On December 30, 1962, within the oblast was created the Verkhovyna Industrial Raion, centered in a town of Verkhovyna.
On October 28, 1963, another major change took place when raions of the oblast were re-administered into the six rural raions, one – industrial, and two municipalities. There were the following administrative centers: Bohorodchany, Halych, Horodenka, Kalush, Kolomyia, Kosiv, Dolyna (municipalities – Ivano-Frankivsk (new name) and Kolomyia). On January 4, 1965, Dolyna Industrial Raion Raion was redesigned into the regular raion, while five other previous raions were recreated: Nadvirna, Rohatyn, Rozhnyativ, Snyatyn, and Tlumach. On December 8, 1966, there were created Verkhovyna and Ivano-Frankivsk raions. That was the last major re-administration of the oblast.
On March 20, 1972, in the city of Kalush was created a municipality and it became a city of oblast subordination. On December 30, 1977, the same thing happened to Yaremcha status of which was elevated as well. On March 28, 1982, the Ivano-Frankivsk Raion was re-administrated under the Tysmenytsya Raion. On October 21, 1993, the city of Bolekhiv became of an oblast subordination with its own municipality. On December 14, 2006, Yaremcha was renamed into Yaremche.
Demographics
According to the
Ukrainian Census of 2001 most of the population consider themselves Ukrainians with a small Russian diaspora mostly located within the city of
Ivano-Frankivsk. The Russian language is the dominant foreign language in the region and well understood by everyone. Among other common foreign languages are Polish, English, and German languages. The population in the region as the rest of the country was on substantial decline
Religion
The dominant religion in Ivano-Frankvisk Oblast is
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, professed by 57% of the population. Another 35% is
Eastern Orthodox
Eastern Orthodoxy, also known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity, is one of the three main branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholicism and Protestantism.
Like the Pentarchy of the first millennium, the mainstream (or " canonical ...
and 6% are
unaffiliated generic
Christians
Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρ� ...
. Adherents of
Roman Catholicism
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
and
Protestantism
Protestantism is a Christian denomination, branch of Christianity that follows the theological tenets of the Reformation, Protestant Reformation, a movement that began seeking to reform the Catholic Church from within in the 16th century agai ...
make up 1% of the population respectively.
Age structure
: ''0-14 years:'' 16.7% (male 118,518/female 112,130)
: ''15-64 years:'' 69.5% (male 468,589/female 489,596)
: ''65 years and over:'' 13.8% (male 63,324/female 126,635) (2013 official)
Median age
: ''total:'' 37.3 years
: ''male:'' 34.7 years
: ''female:'' 40.0 years (2013 official)
Culture and tourism
Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast is home of numerous cultural festivals. There are numerous natural and architectural benchmarks that are scattered throughout the region.
One of the famous festivals is the Ukrainian International festival of
ethnic music and
land art "Sheshory" that usually takes place in the picturesque
Hutsul village of the
Kosiv Raion Sheshory since 2003. From 2007, however the festival has spread throughout the country taking place in
Podillya
Podolia or Podilia ( uk, Поділля, Podillia, ; russian: Подолье, Podolye; ro, Podolia; pl, Podole; german: Podolien; be, Падолле, Padollie; lt, Podolė), is a historic region in Eastern Europe, located in the west-central ...
,
Kyiv Oblast
Kyiv Oblast ( uk, Ки́ївська о́бласть, translit=Kyïvska oblast), also called Kyivshchyna ( uk, Ки́ївщина), is an oblast (province) in central and northern Ukraine. It surrounds, but does not include, the city of Kyiv, ...
, and other places. In August 2010 the village of Spas in the
Kolomyia Raion hosted a culinary event ''Smachny Spas'' in association with "Sheshory", while in July of the same year another eco-cultural event ''
Trypilske kolo'' in the
Rzhyschiv city of
Kyiv region.
The city of
Ivano-Frankivsk hosts several other festivals such as the All-Ukrainian festival of art collectives "Carpathian Spring" that takes place every May. Every two year the festival of modern art "Impreza" takes place every other year. Every odd year the city hosts the festival national-patriotic music and poetry "Freedom". Since May 2001 every year the city of Ivano-Frankivsk is the capital of the European blacksmith movement hosting the "Festival of blacksmith" and the art exhibition "Ornamental Forging" that takes place at the Mickewicz Square and neighboring Andrei Sheptytsky Square in city's
old town.
On the territory of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast are located numerous monuments of architectural heritage. On February 8, 1994, near the city of
Halych was established the National preserve of Ancient Halych. Among other important sites in the region is the Church of the Holy Spirit located in the city of
Rohatyn as well as the
Manyava Skete
A skete ( ) is a monastic community in Eastern Christianity that allows relative isolation for monks, but also allows for communal services and the safety of shared resources and protection. It is one of four types of early monastic orders, a ...
near the village of Manyava in
Bohorodchany Raion. The oblast also accounts for some number of various wooden churches of
Boykos
The Boykos ( uk, Бойки, Boiky; pl, Bojkowie; sk, Pujďáci), or simply Highlanders (верховинці, ''verkhovyntsi''), are an ethnolinguistic sub-group of Ukrainians located in the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine, Slovakia, Hung ...
and
Hutsuls traditional architecture.
In the
Dolyna Raion (western region) visitors can find the Carpathian Train that still uses a
narrow gauge railway system. Train is used for its direct purpose transporting wood as well as for a tourist recreation. The biggest benchmark of the region is the
Hoverla mountain, the tallest in the nation. However, due to increased touristic activities in the post-Soviet times the mountain is a subject to a high degree of pollution. No less interesting destination serve the
Dovbush rocks that are located near the city of
Bolekhiv in mountains. That location was a base of an anti-Polish Peasant movement. Near the
Manyava Skete
Manyava Skete of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, (transliterated often as Maniava or Manjava Skete) - otherwise known as Ukrainian Athos, is Orthodox solitary cell men's monastery (skete) in the Carpathian mountains of western Ukraine. It is s ...
is located the highest waterfall in
Ukraine
Ukraine ( uk, Україна, Ukraïna, ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which it borders to the east and northeast. Ukraine covers approximately . Prior to the ongoing Russian inva ...
, the
Maniava waterfall (20 m). In the same
Bohorodchany Raion visitors may find the local
mud volcano
A mud volcano or mud dome is a landform created by the eruption of mud or slurries, water and gases. Several geological processes may cause the formation of mud volcanoes. Mud volcanoes are not true igneous volcanoes as they do not produce ...
located near the village of
Starunia
Starunya or Starunia ( uk, Стару́ня) is a village in Ivano-Frankivsk Raion, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, Ukraine. It belongs to Bohorodchany settlement hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine.
Until 18 July 2020, Starunia belonged to Bohoro ...
. It was noticed for the first time in 1977 after an earthquake that took place in
Romania
Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, S ...
.
Bukovel ski resort, centralized around the village of
Polianytsia, on the ridge-lines of the
Carpathian
The Carpathian Mountains or Carpathians () are a range of mountains forming an arc across Central Europe. Roughly long, it is the third-longest European mountain range after the Urals at and the Scandinavian Mountains at . The range stretches ...
Mountain range at an elevation of represents a major all seasons tourist destination in the region. It is one of the most popular ski resorts in Eastern Europe and in 2012 was named the fastest growing ski resort in the world. Bukovel consists of 16 ski lifts with approximately 50 kilometers of
piste
A ''piste'' () is a marked ski run or path down a mountain for snow skiing, snowboarding, or other mountain sports.
This European term is French s. As well as skiing visitors to the resort can enjoy 7 world class hotels, chalets with swimming pools and saunas, as well as numerous other recreational activities ranging from family friendly leisurely activities to extreme sports. During the warmer months the resort boasts cross-country and downhill mountain biking trails. Over 6,000 people visit the resort every year.
Historical and cultural sites
* Recently, a monument of cultural heritage was erected in the city of
Kolomyya in Pokuttya. The
Pysanka Museum was built in 2000 and is the only museum dedicated to pyanskas in the world.
* Another interesting historical site is the cavern complex in the
Dovbush Rock. The site is dedicated to the legendary freedom fighter
Oleksa Dovbush who in legend fights against the Polish
szlachta. The rock complex is located about south west from
Bolekhiv near village of
Bubnysche.
* The
Church of the Holy Spirit, built in 1598, is located in the north of the Oblast in the small city of
Rohatyn.
Popular culture
In 1979
Sofia Rotaru performed the song "Krai" (''
ativeLand'') about ''
Prykarpattia''.
In the song Rotaru calls ''Prykarpattia'' the land of the
Cheremosh and
Prut
The Prut (also spelled in English as Pruth; , uk, Прут) is a long river in Eastern Europe. It is a left tributary of the Danube. In part of its course it forms Romania's border with Moldova and Ukraine.
Characteristics
The Prut originates ...
rivers.
Transportation
Roads
State highways
Through Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast runs one European route which travels through the city of
Rohatyn in the north. It coincides with the Ukrainian International highway which is the only highway of that classification in the region. The highway travels from
Zhydachiv
Zhydachiv ( uk, Жидачів) is a city in Stryi Raion, Lviv Oblast (region) in western Ukraine. It hosts the administration of Zhydachiv urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. Local government is administered by the Zhydachivska city c ...
in
Lviv Oblast
Lviv Oblast ( uk, Льві́вська о́бласть, translit=Lvivska oblast, ), also referred to as Lvivshchyna ( uk, Льві́вщина, ), ). The name of each oblast is a relational adjective—in English translating to a noun adjunct w ...
and after passing Rohatyn travels towards
Berezhany in
Ternopil Oblast
Ternopil Oblast ( uk, Тернопі́льська о́бласть, translit=Ternopilska oblast; also referred to as Ternopilshchyna, uk, Терно́пільщина, label=none, or Ternopillia, uk, Тернопілля, label=none) is an obl ...
.
Besides that highway, through the region run three highways of national importance.
* traveling from
Lviv
Lviv ( uk, Львів) is the largest city in Western Ukraine, western Ukraine, and the List of cities in Ukraine, seventh-largest in Ukraine, with a population of . It serves as the administrative centre of Lviv Oblast and Lviv Raion, and is o ...
the route enters the region from the north near Rohatyn and after passesing the cities of
Ivano-Frankivsk and
Yaremcha continues on towards
Rakhiv going over the
Carpathian
The Carpathian Mountains or Carpathians () are a range of mountains forming an arc across Central Europe. Roughly long, it is the third-longest European mountain range after the Urals at and the Scandinavian Mountains at . The range stretches ...
ridge.
* starts in
Stryi
Stryi ( uk, Стрий, ; pl, Stryj) is a city located on the left bank of the river Stryi in Lviv Oblast (region) of western Ukraine 65 km to the south of Lviv (in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains). It serves as the administrative cen ...
, passes through Ivano-Frankivsk,
Kolomyia
Kolomyia, formerly known as Kolomea ( ua, Коломия, Kolomyja, ; pl, Kołomyja; german: Kolomea; ro, Colomeea; yi, ), is a city located on the Prut River in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast ( province), in western Ukraine. It serves as the ad ...
and
Sniatyn
Sniatyn ( uk, Сня́тин, translit=Sniatyn; pl, Śniatyn; ro, Sneatîn, older ; yi, שניאַטין) is a town located in Kolomyia Raion of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, in western Ukraine along the Prut river. It is located at around . Sniaty ...
, and continues on towards
Chernivtsi.
* starts from the center of Ivano-Frnkivsk and through
Tysmenytsia
Tysmenytsia ( uk, Ти́смениця, translit=Tysmenycia; pl, Tyśmienica) is a city in Ivano-Frankivsk Raion, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast of western Ukraine. It hosts the administration of Tysmenytsia urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukr ...
(Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast) and
Monastyryska
Monastyryska ( uk, Монастириська; pl, Monasterzyska, yi, מאָנעסטרישטש, Monastrishtch) is a town in Chortkiv Raion, Ternopil Oblast, Ukraine. In 2001, the population was 6,344. The town is situated on the river Korope ...
(
Ternopil Oblast
Ternopil Oblast ( uk, Тернопі́льська о́бласть, translit=Ternopilska oblast; also referred to as Ternopilshchyna, uk, Терно́пільщина, label=none, or Ternopillia, uk, Тернопілля, label=none) is an obl ...
), terminating in
Ternopil
Ternópil ( uk, Тернопіль, Ternopil' ; pl, Tarnopol; yi, טאַרנאָפּל, Tarnopl, or ; he, טארנופול (טַרְנוֹפּוֹל), Tarnopol; german: Tarnopol) is a city in the west of Ukraine. Administratively, Terno ...
.
There is also small network of minor P-highways.
* runs from Tyaziv (north of Ivano-Frankivsk) through
Tlumach and
Horodenka
Horodenka ( uk, Городе́нка, pl, Horodenka, occasionally ''Horodence'', yi, האראדענקע ''Horodenke'') is a city located in Kolomyia Raion, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, in Western Ukraine. It hosts the administration of Horodenka ...
to
Sniatyn
Sniatyn ( uk, Сня́тин, translit=Sniatyn; pl, Śniatyn; ro, Sneatîn, older ; yi, שניאַטין) is a town located in Kolomyia Raion of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, in western Ukraine along the Prut river. It is located at around . Sniaty ...
.
* runs from
Dolyna over the
Carpathian
The Carpathian Mountains or Carpathians () are a range of mountains forming an arc across Central Europe. Roughly long, it is the third-longest European mountain range after the Urals at and the Scandinavian Mountains at . The range stretches ...
to
Khust (
Zakarpattia Oblast).
* runs from Tatariv (
Yaremche municipality) to
Verkhovyna,
Kosiv,
Kolomyia
Kolomyia, formerly known as Kolomea ( ua, Коломия, Kolomyja, ; pl, Kołomyja; german: Kolomea; ro, Colomeea; yi, ), is a city located on the Prut River in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast ( province), in western Ukraine. It serves as the ad ...
,
Hvizdets,
Horodenka
Horodenka ( uk, Городе́нка, pl, Horodenka, occasionally ''Horodence'', yi, האראדענקע ''Horodenke'') is a city located in Kolomyia Raion, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, in Western Ukraine. It hosts the administration of Horodenka ...
, and
Ternopil Oblast
Ternopil Oblast ( uk, Тернопі́льська о́бласть, translit=Ternopilska oblast; also referred to as Ternopilshchyna, uk, Терно́пільщина, label=none, or Ternopillia, uk, Тернопілля, label=none) is an obl ...
.
* runs from
Bohorodchany to the village of
Stara Huta.
* runs from Verkhniy Yaseniv (
Verkhovyna Raion
Verkhovyna Raion ( uk, Верхови́нський райо́н, translit=Verchovynśkyj rajon) is a raion (district) of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast (region). The urban-type settlement of Verkhovyna is the administrative center of the raion. The raion ...
) to Usteriky, then by the
Prut
The Prut (also spelled in English as Pruth; , uk, Прут) is a long river in Eastern Europe. It is a left tributary of the Danube. In part of its course it forms Romania's border with Moldova and Ukraine.
Characteristics
The Prut originates ...
valley and the
Chernivtsi Oblast border travels to
Kuty where it turns into Chernivtsi Oblast towards
Storozhynets
Storozhynets ( uk, Сторожинець, ; ro, Storojineț; see below for other names) is a small city located in Chernivtsi Raion, Chernivtsi Oblast of western Ukraine, north of the border with Romania. It hosts the administration of Stor ...
.
Regional highways
T-network (09) includes:
* -
Kalush, Yasen, Kuzmynets
* -
Borshniv-Osada,
Rozhniativ, Kosmach,
Nadvirna
* -
Halych, Medukha, Zastavche,
Pidhaitsi
Pidhaitsi ( uk, Підгайці, Pidhajci, pl, Podhajce, yi, פּידײַיִץ, Podhaitza) is a small city in Ternopil Raion, Ternopil Oblast (province) of western Ukraine. It is located ''ca.'' 15.5 mi south of Berezhany, 43.5 mi from Ternopi ...
* - Ozeryany,
Obertyn,
Hvizdets, Zabolotiv, Rozhniv,
Kuty
* -
Delyatyn,
Lanchyn
Lanchyn ( uk, Ланчин, pl, Łanczyn, he, לאנצ'ין, ro, Lanciîn) is an urban-type settlement in Nadvirna Raion in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. It hosts the administration of Lanchyn settlement hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. ...
,
Kolomyia
Kolomyia, formerly known as Kolomea ( ua, Коломия, Kolomyja, ; pl, Kołomyja; german: Kolomea; ro, Colomeea; yi, ), is a city located on the Prut River in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast ( province), in western Ukraine. It serves as the ad ...
* -
Ivano-Frankivsk, Cherniiv,
Nadvirna, Bystrytsia
* -
Kosiv, Rozhniv,
Sniatyn
Sniatyn ( uk, Сня́тин, translit=Sniatyn; pl, Śniatyn; ro, Sneatîn, older ; yi, שניאַטין) is a town located in Kolomyia Raion of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, in western Ukraine along the Prut river. It is located at around . Sniaty ...
* -
Kalush,
Burshtyn
* -
Bolekhiv, Tysiv, Kozakivka
* - Pistyn, Mykytyntsi, Verkhniy Verbizh
* - (Lviv Oblast) Kurovychi,
Peremyshlyany,
Rohatyn
* - (Lviv Oblast)
Kalush,
Zhuravno
Zhuravne ( uk, Журавне; pl, Żurawno; yi, זשיראוונע, ''Zhirovne'') is an urban-type settlement in Stryi Raion, Lviv Oblast of western Ukraine. It hosts the administration of Zhuravne settlement hromada, one of the hromadas of ...
,
Zhydachiv
Zhydachiv ( uk, Жидачів) is a city in Stryi Raion, Lviv Oblast (region) in western Ukraine. It hosts the administration of Zhydachiv urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. Local government is administered by the Zhydachivska city c ...
, Rozdil, Mykolaiv
* - (Chernivtsi Oblast) / (Romanian border) (route 209G) Seliatyn, Parkulyna, Dykhtynets, Marynychi, Pidzakharychi,
Kuty, Sloboda Banyliv, Chortoryia, Hlynytsia,
Chernivtsi
* - (Chernivtsi Oblast)
Horodenka
Horodenka ( uk, Городе́нка, pl, Horodenka, occasionally ''Horodence'', yi, האראדענקע ''Horodenke'') is a city located in Kolomyia Raion, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, in Western Ukraine. It hosts the administration of Horodenka ...
, Khreshchatyk
* - (Chernivtsi Oblast) Vyzhnytsia,
Kuty, Pidzakharychi
Notable people
People born in Prykarpattya include:
Historical figures
*
Yaroslav Osmomysl
Yaroslav Osmomysl ( orv, Осмомыслъ Ярославъ, ''Osmomyslŭ Jaroslavŭ''; uk , Ярослав Володимирович Осмомисл, ''Yaroslav Volodymyrkovych Osmomysl'') ( – 1 October 1187) was the most famous Prince of H ...
, prince of Halych
*
Roxelana, chief consort of Ottoman sultan
Suleiman the Magnificent
* a leader of the
Khmelnytsky Uprising beginning in 1648
*
Potocki family
The House of Potocki (; plural: Potoccy, male: Potocki, feminine: Potocka) was a prominent Polish noble family in the Kingdom of Poland and magnates of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Potocki family is one of the wealthiest and ...
, Polish high nobles (magnates)
**
Józef Potocki, Great Hetman of the Crown
*
Oleksa Dovbush, 18th century folk hero
*
Stepan Bandera, Nazi collaborator
*
Dmytro Vitovsky, Austro-Hungarian and later Ukrainian separatist politician and military leader
Writers
*
Mariyka Pidhiryanka
*
Vasyl Stefanyk
Vasyl Semenovych Stefanyk ( uk, Васи́ль Семе́нович Стефа́ник; May 14, 1871 – December 7, 1936) was an influential Ukrainian modernist writer and political activist. He was a member of the Austrian parliament from ...
*
*
Ivan Vahylevych
*
Marko Cheremshyna
*
Manès Sperber
Artists
* founder of the
Association of Independent Ukrainian Artists
* opera singer
*
Mika Newton
Oksana Stefanivna Hrytsay ( uk, Оксана Стефанівна Грицай; born on 5 March 1986), professionally known as Mika Newton ( uk, Міка Ньютон), is a Ukrainian singer and actress from the city of Burshtyn. Born and raised ...
, singer
*
Dmytro Pavlychko, poet
See also
*
Poland
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called voivodeships, covering an area of . Poland has a population of over 38 million and is the fifth-most populou ...
's
Stanisławów Voivodeship (1921–1939)
*
List of Canadian place names of Ukrainian origin –
Ukrainian immigrants to Canada brought place names from this oblast to
Saskatchewan and
Alberta
Alberta ( ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest T ...
; a few
one-room schools had names of villages from this region.
*
Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast local election, 2006
*
List of heads of government in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast and Stanislawow Voivodeship
References
;Notes
*
External links
Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast official siteOblast council official site
"JewishGalicia.net" – Jewish history in the Ivano-Frankivsk OblastHandbook on history of Communist Party and Soviet UnionПередати Виноградську сільраду Тлумацького району до складу Коломийського району.History of administrative territorial division of the region since 18th century
{{Authority control
Oblasts of Ukraine
States and territories established in 1939
1939 establishments in Ukraine