Kulob Oblast (also Kulyab Oblast from Russian spelling) was an administrative subdivision in Tajikistan during the Soviet period (Tajik SSR). In 1992 it was merged with the Qurghonteppa Oblast to create Khatlon Province. The city of Kulob (Kulyab) was the capital of the oblast. The inhabitants of Kulob Oblast were referred to as Kulobis. Kulob oblast was a center for fighting in the first year of the civil war in Tajikistan. Many important figures in the government of Tajikistan originated from Kulob Oblast, including current president Emomalii Rahmon.
Map of Kulob, Tajikistan
References
Kulob Oblast Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA