Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast (Ukrainian:Івано-Франківська область,romanized: Ivano-Frankivska oblast), also referred to asIvano-Frankivshchyna (Івано-Франківщина) or simplyFrankivshchyna, is anoblast (region) inwestern Ukraine. Itsadministrative center is the city ofIvano-Frankivsk. It has a population of1,351,822 (2022 estimate).[3]
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 writerIvan Franko.
As with the rest of Ukraine's oblasts Ivano-Frankivsk may also be known by its matronymical nameIvano-Frankivshchyna (Ukrainian:Івано-Франківщина). However, that name did not receive general public acceptance and commonly Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast is almost always calledPrykarpattia (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 asStanislavshchyna orStanyslavivshchyna –Ukrainian:Станіславщина, Станиславівщина.
The climate is mildly-continental and damp with cool summers and mild winters. The average monthly temperature in June is 18 °C (64 °F) with 12 to 16 °C (54 to 61 °F) in the mountains. The average monthly temperature in January is −4 °C (25 °F) with −6 °C (21 °F) in the mountains. Average precipitation varies annually around 650 mm (25.6 in) with 1,550 mm (61 in) in the mountains.
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 theCarpathian Mountains, while the second one -Dniester 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 230 m (755 ft) to 2,061 m (6,762 ft)above sea level. The mountains occupy almost one half of the whole Oblast and consist of two main mountain ranges: theGorgany (highest peak – Mt. Syvulia Major (1,836 m / 6024 ft)) and theChornohora range (highest peak – Mt.Hoverla (2,061 m / 6,762 ft).
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.[6]
The Dniester flows mainly through theHalych Raion and along the administrative border between Ivano-Frankivsk andTernopil Oblasts. The territory of the region within immediate proximity to the river is traditionally known asOpillia. Opillia, however, stretches far beyond the oblast and only covers two of its raions:Halych Raion andRohatyn Raion, both located in the north. Relief in the area consists of rolling hills uplands.[citation needed]
The Carpathian foothills consist mostly of low denudation accumulative uplands, while the right bank of Dniester along the border with theTernopil Oblast depictskarst type relief ofPokuttia Upland. Because of it near that area alongDniester relief shows forms ofcanyon. Pokuttia Upland betweenBystrytsia of Nadvirna andPrut 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 ofBystrytsia Solotvynska,Bystrytsia Nadvirnianska,Vorona andBystrytsia rivers, called Bystrytsia Depression, and another is around the city ofKalush, called Kalush Depression.
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 intoDniester orPrut River (tributary ofDanube). The total water drainage area of the region is 13,900 km2 (5,400 sq mi). Segments of Dniester andCheremosh River are used as administrative borders withTernopil andChernivtsi oblasts respectfully.
The region is a home to some 456 preserved areas (on June 1, 2006) of some 195,633 ha (483,420 acres), 30 out of which are of all-national importance with an area of 108,742 ha (268,710 acres) and the rest of a local importance.[7] In the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast is located a strictnature reserve Gorgany that was created in 1996. There are fivenational parks in the region. There are numerous natural monuments of feature and habitat management areas (zakaznyks).
The government in the region is headed by the chairman of the regional state administration (for simplicity sake - governor) appointed by thePresident of Ukraine. 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
The Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast was administratively subdivided into 14districts (raions) as well as 6 cities (municipalities) which represented a separate raion and in direct subordination to the regional government, among which areBolekhiv,Kalush,Kolomyia,Yaremche, 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 theSecond 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.
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 thePresident of Ukraine. Towns do not have a mayoral office and their head of the council serves as the main representative of the whole settlement.
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.
When on November 27, 1939, the Soviet regime was established inStanisławów Voivodeship, the Polish administrative division of it was kept almost the same until January 17, 1940. Only two powiats Stryj and Żydaczów 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), Novytsia (village), Obertyn (town), Otynia (town), Pechenizhyn (town), Rohatyn (city), Rozhniativ (town), Sniatyn (city), Solotvyn (town), Stanislav (city), Tlumach (city), Tysmenytsia (town), Chernelytsia (town), Yabluniv (town), Yaremcha (village). Two municipalities were cities of Stanislav and Kolomyia. On November 11, 1940, Deliatyn Raion was liquidated. On November 16, 1940, Novytsia Raion was re-administrated under town ofPerehinske.
During the World War II the region was occupied by theNazi Germany (seeOperation Barbarossa). Along with Lviv, Drohobych and Tarnopil oblasts, it was reorganized on August 1, 1941, intoDistrikt Galizien centered in Lemberg and annexed to theGeneral Government. 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 theNazi Germany by theSoviet Army (seeLvov–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 Chernelytsia. 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.[9]
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, Rozhniativ, Sniatyn, 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 Tysmenytsia 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.
According to the2001 Ukrainian census,Ukrainian was the native language for over 97% of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast's population: it was the dominant language in all of the city, town, and village councils of the oblast.
TheRussification of Ukraine carried out during the Soviet era had little to no effect on the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast: the share of Ukrainian-speakers in the region in 1959—1989 fluctuated around 94—96%.[13] Native language of the population of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast according to the results of population censuses:[14][15][16][17][18][19]
Ukrainian is the only official language on the whole territory of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast.[21]
On 7 December 2018, a moratorium on the public use of Russian-language cultural products was imposed in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast by a decision of theIvano-Frankivsk Oblast Council.[22][23]
According to a poll conducted byRating from 16 November to 10 December 2018 as part of the project «Portraits of Regions», 94% of the residents of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast believed that the Ukrainian language should be the only state language on the entire territory of Ukraine. 4% believed that Ukrainian should be the only state language, while Russian should be the second official language in some regions of the country. 1% believed that Russian should become the second state language of the country. 1% found it difficult to answer.[24]
On 16 February 2024, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast Council approved the «Regional complex programme "Strengthening the functioning of the Ukrainian language as the state language in all spheres of public life in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast" for 2024—2026», the main objectives of which are to strengthen the positions of the Ukrainian language in various spheres of public life in the oblast and toUkrainianize therefugees from other regions of Ukraine.[25]
According to the research of theContent Analysis Centre, conducted from 15 August to 15 September 2024, the topic of which was the ratio of Ukrainian and Russian languages in the Ukrainian segment ofsocial media, 96.2% of posts from Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast were written in Ukrainian (86.1% in 2023, 87.2% in 2022, 58.1% in 2020), while 3.8% were written in Russian (13.9% in 2023, 12.8% in 2022, 41.9% in 2020).[26][27]
After Ukraine declared independence in 1991, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, as well as Ukraine as a whole, experienced a gradualUkrainization of the education system, which had beenRussified[28] during the Soviet era. Dynamics of the ratio of thelanguages of instruction in general secondary education institutions in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast:[29][30][31][32][33][34][35]
According to theState Statistics Service of Ukraine, in the 2023—2024 school year, all 157,424 pupils in general secondary education institutions in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast were studying in classes whereUkrainian was the language of instruction.[36]
Hutsul plays trembita trumpetHutsuls in traditional dress in wedding ceremony in Vorokhta
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 ofethnic music andland art "Sheshory" that usually takes place in the picturesqueHutsul village of theKosiv Raion Sheshory since 2003.[38] From 2007, however the festival has spread throughout the country taking place inPodolia,Kyiv Oblast, and other places. In August 2010 the village of Spas in theKolomyia Raion hosted a culinary eventSmachny Spas in association with "Sheshory", while in July of the same year another eco-cultural eventTrypilske kolo in theRzhyschiv city ofKyiv region.
The city ofIvano-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 Andrii Sheptytsky Square in city'sold town.
On the territory of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast are located numerous monuments of architectural heritage. On February 8, 1994, near the city ofHalych was established the National preserve of Ancient Halych.[39] Among other important sites in the region is the Church of the Holy Spirit located in the city ofRohatyn as well as theManiava Skete. Near the village of Maniava inIvano-Frankivsk Raion. The oblast also accounts for some number of various wooden churches ofBoykos andHutsuls traditional architecture.
In theKalush Raion (western part of the region) visitors can find the Carpathian Train that still uses anarrow-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 theHoverla 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 theDovbush rocks that are located near the city ofBolekhiv in mountains. That location was a base of an anti-Polish Peasant movement. Near theManiava Skete is located the highest waterfall inUkraine, theManiava waterfall (20 m). In the sameBohorodchany Raion visitors may find the localmud volcano located near the village ofStarunia. It was noticed for the first time in 1977 after an earthquake that took place inRomania.
Bukovel ski resort, centralized around the village ofPolianytsia, on the ridge-lines of theCarpathian Mountain range at an elevation of 900 m (3,000 ft) 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 ofpistes. 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.
Recently,[when?] a monument of cultural heritage was erected in the city ofKolomyia inPokuttia. ThePysanka 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 theDovbush Rock. The site is dedicated to the legendary freedom fighterOleksa Dovbush who in legend fights against the Polishszlachta. The rock complex is located about 7 miles (11 km) south west fromBolekhiv near village of Bubnyshche.
Through Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast runs one European routeE50 which travels through the city ofRohatyn in the north. It coincides with the Ukrainian International highwayM12 which is the only highway of that classification in the region. The highway travels fromZhydachiv inLviv Oblast and after passing Rohatyn travels towardsBerezhany inTernopil Oblast.
Besides that highway, through the region run three highways of national importance.
H09 traveling fromLviv the route enters the region from the north near Rohatyn and after passesing the cities ofIvano-Frankivsk andYaremcha continues on towardsRakhiv going over theCarpathian ridge.
^Barbara A. Anderson and Brian D. Silver, "Equality, Efficiency, and Politics in Soviet Bilingual Education Policy, 1934-1980," American Political Science Review 78 (December 1984): 1019-1039.
^«Статистичний щорічник України за 1998 рік» — К., 1999."Джерело".Live Journal. Retrieved2024-12-26.
