An oblast (Russian, Ukrainian: о́бласть) is a name for the subnational entity of Bulgaria, Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the former Soviet Union.
In the Soviet Union and the mentioned post-Soviet republics, oblasts are one step below the national level and further subdivided into districts called raiony or rayony (Russian: райо́ны; Ukrainian: райони). The word is often translated as "province" or "region".
In Bulgaria, the top-level subdivision is into regions, with further division into oblasts.
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Last updated: 05-03-2005 17:50:55