Gomel Governorate was an administrative territorial division in the Russian Empire, located in what is now Belarus. Established in 1772, it existed until 1926 when it was renamed Gomel Oblast.
Gomel Governorate encompassed a significant area in the southeast of present-day Belarus, bordering Ukraine and the Chernigov, Mogilev, Minsk, and Volyn Governorates. The administrative center was the city of Gomel, which served as the regional hub for government, economics, and cultural activities.
The governorate was characterized by its diverse population. While the majority of inhabitants were Belarusian, there were also significant Ukrainian, Jewish, Russian, and Polish communities. The diverse cultural makeup contributed to a vibrant social and economic environment, with trade, agriculture, and industry playing key roles in the region's development. Gomel Governorate was known for its fertile soil, ensuring prosperous agricultural production, including crops such as wheat, rye, oats, flax, and vegetables.
In addition to Gomel, the governorate included several other important cities and towns, such as Rechitsa, Zhlobin, Khoyniki, and Vetka. It was also home to numerous estates, mansions, and historical landmarks.
Following the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, Gomel Governorate became part of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic. Over time, administrative changes and transformations led to the transition from a governorate to an oblast. This change of name in 1926 did not alter the significance and importance of Gomel as a regional center.
