Administrative division of Russia in 1708-1709

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Major events

The administrative division reform of 1708 was carried out by the Russian tsar Peter the Great in an attempt to improve the manageability of the vast territory of the Russian Empire. On December 18, 1708, Peter issued an edict (ukase) dividing Russia into eight Governorates General (guberniyas). Before 1708 the territory of Russia was subdivided into uyezds (districts) and volosts (smaller rural districts).

The edict did not specify further subdivision of guberniyas; instead, the guberniyas included the cities located on their territory and the lands adjanced to those cities. Some older subdivision types also continued to be used.

Subdivisions

• Archangelgorod Governorate General (Архангелогородская губерния)
  • Area: 1,317,800 km²
• Azov Governorate General (Азовская губерния)
  • Area: 393,700 km²
• Ingermanland Governorate General (Ингерманландская губерния)
  • Area: 482,500 km²
• Kazan Governorate General (Казанская губерния)
  • Area: 1,398,600 km²
• Kiev Governorate General (Киевская губерния)
  • Area: 231,000 km²
• Moscow Governorate General (Московская губерния)
  • Area: 128,600 km²
• Siberian Governorate General (Сибирская губерния)
  • Area: 10,978,300 km²
• Smolensk Governorate General (Смоленская губерния)
  • Area: 85,400 km²