Black earth region - Definition

Central Black Earth Region or Central Chernozem Region (Центрально-черноземная область, центральная черноземная область, центрально-черноземная полоса) is a part of the Eurasian chernozem belt that lies within Central Russia and comprises Voronezh Oblast, Lipetsk Oblast, Belgorod Oblast, Tambov Oblast, Oryol Oblast and Kursk Oblast. The name is often incorrectly abbreviated by skipping the adjective "central".

In 1928–1934, in its territory a large Central Chernozem Oblast existed, its administrative center being Voronezh.

This region is famous for its very good soil, called Black Earth, or Chernozem.

At the same time it is an important industrial region based on iron ores of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly.

The area contains a biosphere preserve called Central Chernozem Preserve (42 km²). It was created in 1935 within the Kursk and Belgorod oblasts. It consists of typical virgin land (tselina) steppes and broad-leaved forests.

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