Abstrdct: The multidimensional nature of spatial transformation raises the question of structures that emerge during their course. The polarization of socio-economic space leads to growth of inner peripheries and hinterlands. With similar outlines of their delimitations, these concepts have different meanings. This paper aims to identify the inner periphery within the Volga-Ural region (including Tatarstan) by comparing the concepts and approaches of inner peripheries and hinterlands based on published literature. The main difference between these two concepts lies in their focus: inner peripheries are more associated with economic and infrastructure processes, while hinterlands are linked to socio-cultural aspects. Spatially, hinterlands can be included in inner periphery regions, but they do not completely overlap with them. However, another approach is also possible in which the hinterland starts where the influence of the center stops, i.e., outside the near periphery. Using the isochrone method, it was possible to identify areas that are as far from large and major cities as possible in the central part of the Ural-Volga region. These areas can be associated with the inner periphery. An analysis of the contours of this zone led to the conclusion that, at the supra-regional level, the periphery divides the macroregion into western and eastern parts.