[16] Altai Krai has rich natural resources, including lumber, as well as significant mineral reserves.

These include the nonferrous metals lead, manganese, tungsten, molybdenum, bauxite, and gold, as well as iron ore. Forests cover about 60,000 km2 (23,000 sq mi) of the krai's land.

Many locals who had taken part in the rebellion were later put on trial and convicted to hard labor or execution, in accordance with NKVD Order No.

[21] In June 1942 Altai Krai was one of the territories to which the families of men deported from Eastern Europe, in particular "foreigners" and "other ethnicities" such as Kola Norwegians, Lithuanians and Latvians, by Soviet Russia to GULAG hard labor camps.

In the upper part has a blue background, which is a symbol of glory, is a steamy oven of the 18th century, which reflects a historical past of the krai.

In the bottom part on the red background, which is a symbol of dignity, braveness and courage, is an image of the Koluvan Queen of Vases mainly in green color, which is kept in the Hermitage Museum.

The shield is framed with golden wheat ears which represent agriculture as a main industry of Altai Krai.

Since 1991, CPSU lost all the power, and the head of the krai administration, and eventually the governor was appointed/elected alongside elected regional parliament.

In the State Duma of the 7th convocation (2016–2021), Altai Krai is represented by 10 deputies: Nikolai Gerasimenko,[23] Victor Zobnev,[24] Daniil Bessarabov,[25] Oleg Bykov,[26] Valery Yelykomov,[27] Natalya Kuvshinova,[28] Ivan Loor,[29] and Alexander Prokopyev[30] from United Russia; from A Just Russia - Alexander Terentyev;[31] from the Communist Party - Sergey Shargunov.

As of 2013 the Krai's largest enterprises were supermarket chain Maria-Ra [ru], coke fuel producer Altai-Koks and rolling stock manufacturer Altaivagon.

In addition, 31% of the population declares to be "spiritual but not religious", 27% is atheist, and 14.4% follows other religions or did not give an answer to the question.