Karachay-Cherkessia
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The Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia (Russian: Карача́ево-Черке́сская респу́блика, or, less formal, Карача́ево-Черке́ссия) is a federal subject of the Russian Federation (a republic). The direct transliteration of the republic's name is Karachayevo-Cherkesskaya Respublika or Karachayevo-Cherkessiya.
Geography
- Area: 14,100 km².
- Borders:
- Highest point: Mount Elbrus (5,642 m)
- Maximum N->S distance: no data
- Maximum E->W distance: no data
Rivers
There are 172 rivers on the territory of the republic. Major rivers include:
- Bolshoy Zelenchuk River
- Kuban River
- Laba River
- Maly Zelenchuk River
- Teberda River
- Urup River
Lakes
There are approximately 130 lakes in the republic.
Mountains
The landscape of the republic is mostly mountainous (~80% of the territory). Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe, is situated on the border with the Kabardino-Balkar Republic.
Natural Resources
Karachay-Cherkessia's natural resources include gold, coal, clays and more.
Climate
- Average January temperature: -3.2°C
- Average July temperature: +20.6°C
- Average annual precipitation: 550 mm (plains) to 2,500 (mountains)
Administrative division
- Main article: Administrative division of Karachay-Cherkessia
Demographics
The main ethnic groups of the republic, apart from a sizeable Russian population (33.6%), are the Turkic Karachay (38.5%), and the Oblast of Karachay-Cherkessia was created on January 12, 1922. It was split into Karachay Autonomous Oblast and Cherkess National District on April 26, 1926. Cherkess National District was elevated to an autonomous oblast status on April 30, 1928. In 1943, Karachay Autonomous Oblast was abolished and the Karachay population was deported to Siberia because of their alleged collaboration with the Germans. The Autonomous Oblast of Karachay-Cherkessia was re-established in 1957. It became the Soviet Socialist Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia (under the jurisdiction of the RSFSR) on July 3, 1991. It was renamed the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia in December 1992.
Ethnic tension is a considerable problem in the republic. Things came to a head in May 1999 when Karachay-Cherkessia conducted it's first ever free regional presidential election. When Vladimir Semyonov, a Karachay, won the election over Stanislav Derev, a Cherkess, there were protests by supporters of Derev, with widespread allegations of fruad. A court ruling later upheld the election result, prompting thousands of Derev's supporters to march in protest, many advocating partition of the republic.
A car-bomb that killed two people in March 2001 was blamed on Chechen seperatists.
Politics
The head of government in Karachay-Cherkessia is the President. As of 2004, the president is Federal subjects of Russia
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