ABSTRACT
This chapter provides all basic political, economic, and demographic data on a territorial unit of the Russian Federation, Komi-Permyak Autonomous Okrug, which is located in northwest Perm Oblast. Komi-Permyak Autonomous Okrug borders the Republic of Komi, Kirov Oblast, and other parts of Perm Oblast. The region currently lacks rail service; however, the federal government plans to build a link connecting the Siberian Railroad with Arkhangelsk that would pass through Komi-Permyak. Nikolai Poluyanov was first appointed governor of Komi-Permyak Autonomous Okrug by President Boris Yeltsin in 1991. Poluyanov was popularly elected to the same post in November 1996, earning nearly 70 percent of the vote. The economic situation in Komi-Permyak has been in a steady decline since the introduction of market economics in the early 1990s. Komi-Permyak, while a full subject of the Russian Federation, is also part of Perm Oblast. The okrug has good relations with the oblast, and has been highly supportive of Perm Governor Gennadii Igumnov.
