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North Caucasus Economic Region (Russian: Се́веро-Кавка́зский экономи́ческий райо́н; tr.: Severo-Kavkazsky ekonomichesky rayon) is one of 12 economic regions of Russia. It comprises the whole of the North Caucasian Federal District and the western federal subjects of the Southern Federal District.
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In this area, descending northward from the principal chain of the Caucasus Mountains to a level plain, are found rich deposits of oil, natural gas, and coal. The major cities are Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar, Grozny, Vladikavkaz, and Novorossiysk. Sochi is a popular resort. Farm machinery, coal, petroleum, and natural gas are the chief products. The Kuban River region, a fertile black-earth area, is one of the chief granaries of Russia. Wheat, sugar beets, tobacco, rice, and sunflower seeds are grown, and cattle are raised. Other rivers include the Don, the Kuma, and the Terek, and the Volga-Don Canal is a major transportation route.
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Socio-economic indicators
North Caucasus economic region accounted for almost 6 per cent of the national GRP in 2008. This region includes the most troubled part of the Russian Federation, the Chechen Republic, and other republics where ethnic tensions are high. Economic capacities are far lower than the average for the country as a whole. GDP per capita is barely half that of the average for the Federation, and productivity and wages are also low. Employment in agriculture is also well above the national average.
Life expectancy for both men and women is at the average for the Federation as a whole. But other indicators are high are signs of trouble, for example, the migration of the population, the readiness of people to move to find a job elsewhere and high unemployment.