Jewish Autonomous Oblast

The Jewish Autonomous Oblast is a region in Russia, established in 1934 as a place for Jewish settlement. It is located in the Russian Far East, near the borders with China and Mongolia. The region was created during the Soviet era to promote Jewish culture and provide a homeland for Jews, particularly during a time when anti-Semitism was prevalent. Although intended for Jewish habitation, its population today is diverse, with many ethnic groups living there. The area is known for its rich natural resources and is administered as part of the Russian Federation, but it has never been predominantly Jewish.