CHANGES IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL STRUCTURE AND POPULATION OF ZAKARPATTIA DURING THE SOVIET PERIOD (1946–1991)

Abstract

It is noted that Zakarpattia, as a separate administrative-territorial unit consisting of Uzhan, Berez, Ugochan, and Maramoros counties, was created in 1919–1920 as part of Czechoslovakia. It was found that as a result of the administrative-territorial reform in 1926, the zhupas were united in the so-called a large zhupa, and 14 districts were created. In 1928, due to consolidation, the number of districts was reduced to 12. In 1938–1939, the territory returned to Hungary, which carried out several administrative-territorial reforms. It is claimed that in the autumn of 1944, it became obvious that the territory of Zakarpattia would fall under the influence of the Soviet Empire. In present study particular attention is paid to the fact that the Soviet military administration returned the administrative-territorial division of the Czechoslovak period. It is noted that in 1946, the region officially became part of the Soviet Union, so the formation of the administrative-territorial system continued in order for the region to organically fit in with other regions of the Ukrainian SSR. It was found that the most significant administrative transformations took place from 1946 to 1969. According to the administrative division in 1946, the region consisted of 15 administrative units: 2 cities of regional subordination and 13 districts. It was established that in 1962, 8 districts were liquidated in Zakarpattia, but later the disintegration of districts was carried out and as a result of this reorganization 11 districts were created in 1965, and 2 more in 1966. As a result of the administrative-territorial reform of the Ukrainian SSR in 1965–1966, Zakarpattia again consisted of 13 districts and 2 cities of the regional order. In 1967–1969 there was the formation of new village councils, their merger or liquidation, the transfer of village council centres to other settlements, a change in the administrative subordination of village councils, the inclusion of villages in the strip of urban-type cities and towns. It can be concluded that, after repeated administrative transformations, the number of settlements in Zakarpattia Oblast increased from 512 in 1946 to 603 in 1969. In the period from 1969 to 1991 significant changes did not occurred. Keywords: Ukraine, Zakarpattia, administrative-territorial units, Soviet Union.