Adygeya

Geography

Adygeya is situated on the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains, with plains in the north, and mountains in the south. Forests cover almost 40% of the territory of the republic.

• Area: 7,600 km².
• Borders: Adygeya is entirely surrounded by Krasnodar Krai.
• Highest point: Chugush Mountain (3,238 m).

Rivers

Kuban River (870 km) is one of the major rivers in the Caucasus region, and it is navigable. It forms part of the northern border between Adygea and Krasnodar Krai. Other rivers include:

• Belaya River
• Chokhrak River
• Dakh River
• Fars River
• Khodz River
• Kisha River
• Laba River (forming part of the eastern border between Adygea and Krasnodar Krai)
• Psekups River
• Pshish River
• Krasnodarskoye Reservoir
• Oktyabrskoye Reservoir
• Shapsugskoye Reservoir
• Chugush Mountain (3,238 m)
• Fisht Mountain
• Oshten Mountain
• Pseashkho Mountain
• Shepsi Mountain

Natural Resources

The republic is rich in oil and natural gas. Other natural resources include gold, silver, tungsten, iron and more.

Climate

• Average January temperature: -2°C
• Average July temperature: +22°C
• Average annual precipitation: 700 mm

Administrative division

Main article: Administrative division of Adygeya

Demographics

Of the republics 447,109 inhabitants, 66% are Russians, while Adyghe (or Adygeans) constitute only 23%.

• Population: 447,109 (2002)
  • Urban: 234,900 (52.5%)
  • Rural: 212,209 (47.5%)
  • Male: 208,019 (46.5%)
  • Female: 239,090 (53.5%)
• Females per 1000 males: 1,149
• Average age: 37 years
  • Urban: 36.6 years
  • Rural: 37.4 years
  • Male: 34 years
  • Female: 39.6 years
• Number of households: 151,597 (with 440,449 people)
  • Urban: 82,949 (with 230,286 people)
  • Rural: 68,648 (with 210,163 people)

History

Adygeya was established as an autonomous oblast within Russia on August 24, 1922. At that time, Krasnodar was the administrative center. On August 13, 1928, Autonomous Oblast of Adygeya was transferred under the jurisdiction of Krasnodar Krai.

Maykop became the administrative center in 1936 when the borders of the oblast were changed. On July 3, 1991, the oblast was elevated to the status of a republic under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation.

The first president of Adygeya was Aslan Aliyevich Dzharimov, elected in January of 1992.

Politics

The head of government in Adygeya is the President. Currently, the president is Hazret Medzhidovich Sovmen, who was elected on January 13, 2002. There is also a directly elected National Assembly. The republic sends three representatives to the parliament of the Russian Federation; one to the Duma and the other two to the Council of the Federation.

Economy

Even though it is now one of the poorest parts of Russia, the republic has abundant forests and rich soil. The region is famous for producing grain, sunflowers, tea, tobacco, and other produce. Hog- and sheep-breeding are also developed.

Food, timber, woodworking, pulp and paper, heavy engineering, and metal-working industries are the most developed ones.

Transportation

There is a small airport in Maykop, and several rail lines pass through the republic.

Culture

There are 8 state and 23 public museums in the republic. The largest museum is the National Museum of the Republic of Adygeya, located in Maykop.

Education

Adyghe State University and Federal subjects of Russia