Federation Council representatives: Vladimir Yakubovsky (2009 to 2014) and Valentin Mezhevich (2001 to 2013)
Population: 2,502,691 (2010)
Area: 774,846 square km (296,409 sq. miles)
Capital: Irkutsk (population 581,200), 5,042 km from Moscow
Other major cities: Bratsk (249,700), Angarsk (240,600), Ust–Ilimsk (96,300)
Federal district: Siberian
Economic region: East Siberia
Time zone: Moscow +5, GMT +8, EST +13
Geography: Irkutsk Region is located in the southern part of Eastern Siberia in the upper basins of the Lower (Nizhnyaya) Tunguska, Angara, and Lena rivers. Lake Baikal is located in the southeastern part of the region. It borders on the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) to the northeast, Chita Region and the Republic of Buryatia in the east and south, Krasnoyarsk Territory in the northeast, and the Republic of Tuva in the southwest. Most of the region is steppe.
Urban population: 80%, Rural population: 20%
Ethnic make-up: more than 100 nationalities including Russians (88.5%), Ukrainians (3.5%) and Buryats (2.7%)
Economy:Irkutsk Region has large mineral deposits, including coal, and also large oil reserves. Much of the economy is dedicated to processing minerals. The region generates 6.5% of all power generated in Russia, produces nearly 20% of all pulp and more than 10% of all cardboard, and refines about 9% of all oil. It has substantial hydroelectric power resources and huge timber reserves.
