Novgorod Oblast
Novgorod is one of the oldest centers of Russian civilization. It was on the historical trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks. This route followed the Volkhov upstream to Lake Ilmen and then followed the course of the Lovat before reaching the Dnieper. In 1136, Novgorod became the center of the Novgorod Republic. The Novgorod Republic included the major part of what is today northwestern Russia. Novgorod was part of the Hanseatic League. It was one of the few areas of Rus not affected by the Mongol invasions. It was also a major cultural center.