An autonomous oblast () is a type of federal subject of the Russian Federation. At least theoretically, an autonomous oblast has greater autonomy than other oblasts, but not as much as a republic.
From 1977 to 1991, the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic had five autonomous oblasts: Adygea, Gorno-Altai, Karachay-Cherkessia, Khakassia, and the Jewish Autonomous Oblast. The first four were elevated to republics on 3 July 1991, during the dissolution of the Soviet Union, leaving only the Jewish Autonomous Oblast in independent Russia.
References
See also Autonomous oblasts of the Soviet Union Federal subjects of Russia Oblasts of Russia Republics of Russia Krais of Russia Federal cities of Russia Jewish Autonomous Oblast