Kabardino-Balkaria

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Kabardino-Balkaria (Russian: Кабарди́но-Балка́рия), officially the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, is a republic of Russia located in the North Caucasus. As of the 2021 Census, its population was 904,200. Its capital is Nalchik. The area contains the highest mountain in Europe, Mount Elbrus, at 5,642 m (18,510 ft). Mount Elbrus has 22 glaciers that feed three rivers — Baksan, Malka and Kuban. The mountain is covered with snow year-round.

Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
Къэбэрдей-Балъкъэр Республикэ (Kabardian)
Къабарты-Малкъар Республика (Karachay-Balkar)
Кабардино-Балкарская Республика (Russian)
Republic
Flag
Coat of arms
Anthem: State Anthem of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
Interactive map of Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
Coordinates: 43°35′N 43°24′E / 43.583°N 43.400°E / 43.583; 43.400
CountryRussia
Federal districtNorth Caucasian
Economic regionNorth Caucasus
CapitalNalchik
Government
 • TypeParliament of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
 • HeadKazbek Kokov
Area
 • Total
12,470 km2 (4,810 sq mi)
Population
 (2021 Census)
 • Total
 904,200
  • 57.1% Kabardins
  • 19.8% Russians
  • 13.7% Balkars
  • 3% Cherkess
  • 6.7% other
 • Rank56th
 • Urban
51.9%
 • Rural
48.1%
Time zoneUTC+3 (MSK)
ISO 3166 codeRU-KB
Vehicle registration07
Official language(s)Balkar • Kabardian • Russian
Websiteglava.kbr.ru

Geography

The republic is situated in the North Caucasus mountains, with plains in the northern part. The republic shares an international border with Georgia.

  • Area: 12,500 square kilometers (4,800 sq mi)
  • Borders:
    • internal: Stavropol Krai (N/NE), North Ossetia–Alania (E/SE/S), Karachay–Cherkessia (W/NW)
    • international: Georgia (Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Zemo Svaneti) (S/SW)
  • Highest point: Mount Elbrus (5,642 m)
  • Maximum N->S distance: 167 kilometers (104 mi)
  • Maximum E->W distance: 123 kilometers (76 mi)

Kabardino-Balkaria is traversed by the northeasterly line of equal latitude and longitude.

Rivers

Major rivers include:

  • Terek River (623 km)
  • Malka River (216 km)
  • Baksan River (173 km)
  • Urukh River (104 km)
  • Chegem River (102 km)
  • Cherek River (76 km)
  • Argudan River
  • Kurkuzhin River
  • Lesken River

Lakes

There are about 100 lakes in the Republic, none of which is large. Just over half (55) are located between the Baksan and Malka rivers. Some of the lakes are:

  • Tserikkel Lake (area 26,000 m2; depth 368 m)
  • Lower Goluboye Lake
  • Kel-Ketchen Lake (depth 177 m)
  • Upper Tserikkel Lake (depth 18 m)
  • Sekretnoye Lake
  • Tambukan Lake (area 1.77 km2; depth 1.5 to 2 m), partially within Stavropol Krai.

Mountains

Other major mountains include:

  • Mount Dykhtau (5,402 m)
  • Mount Koshtantau (5,151 m)
  • Mount Shkhara (5,068 m)
  • Pushkin Peak (5,033 m)
  • Mount Mizhergi (5,025 m)

Natural resources

Kabardino-Balkaria's natural resources include molybdenum, tungsten, and coal.

Climate

The republic has a continental-type climate.

  • Average January temperature: −12 °C (10 °F) (mountains) to −4 °C (25 °F) (plains)
  • Average July temperature: +4 °C (39 °F) (mountains) to +23 °C (73 °F) (plains)
  • Average annual precipitation: 500–2,000 mm.

History

The ancestors of the modern Kabardians, known as Circassians or Kassogs, have inhabited the area since at least the 6th century BCE. During this period, the region was known as Zichia, a medieval Circassian kingdom located on the northeastern shore of the Black Sea. Historical sources first mention Zichia in the 6th century, with Byzantine historian Procopius of Caesarea recording that the people of the Zechoi had a king appointed by the Roman Emperor but had since become independent. The Notitiae Episcopatuum of the Patriarchate of Constantinople mentions an autocephalous archbishopric of Zichia from the 7th century onward, associated with Tamatarcha or the Cimmerian Bosporus.

Between 1242 and 1295, the region came under the control of the Mongols. From 1295 to around 1427, it was governed by the Georgians. In the early 15th century, the area became part of a unified Circassian Kingdom, which remained independent until the death of King Inal in 1453. Afterward, the kingdom experienced internal divisions and external pressures, leading to a gradual decline in its sovereignty.

Between 1769 and 1830, during the Russo-Circassian War, the region fell under Russian occupation. This period was marked by significant conflict and resistance from the indigenous populations. The war culminated in the annexation of Kabardino-Balkaria by Russia, leading to profound changes in the region's political and social structures.

During the Soviet era, Kabardino-Balkaria was part of the Russian SFSR, undergoing industrial growth but also facing cultural suppression. After the USSR's collapse, it became a republic within Russia and, on 1 July 1994, signed a power-sharing agreement granting it limited autonomy. This agreement allowed the republic to manage its own affairs to some extent, though it remained under the sovereignty of the Russian Federation. In 2001, Kabardino-Balkaria adopted a new constitution that reaffirmed its status within the Russian Federation, explicitly preventing the republic from existing independently.

Politics

The head of government in Kabardino-Balkaria is the Head. The current Head is Kazbek Kokov. The legislative body of the Republic is the Parliament comprising 70 deputies elected for a five-year term.

The republic adopted a new constitution in 2001 which prevents the republic from existing independently of the Russian Federation.

Administrative divisions

This section is an excerpt from Administrative divisions of Kabardino-Balkaria.edit
  • Cities and towns under republic's jurisdiction
    • Nalchik (Нальчик) (capital)
    • Baksan (Баксан)
    • Prokhladny (Прохладный)
  • Districts:
    • Baksansky (Баксанский)
    • Chegemsky (Чегемский)
      • Towns under the district's jurisdiction:
        • Chegem (Чегем)
    • Chereksky (Черекский)
    • Elbrussky (Эльбрусский)
      • Towns under the district's jurisdiction:
        • Tyrnyauz (Тырныауз)
    • Leskensky (Лескенский)
    • Maysky (Майский)
      • Towns under the district's jurisdiction:
        • Maysky (Майский)
    • Prokhladnensky (Прохладненский)
    • Tersky (Терский)
      • Towns under the district's jurisdiction:
        • Terek (Терек)
    • Urvansky (Урванский)
      • Towns under the district's jurisdiction:
        • Nartkala (Нарткала)
    • Zolsky (Зольский)
  • Cherek-Balkarskaya gorge
  • Mount Dykh-Tau
  • Prielbrusye
  • Tyzyl Gorge

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1926 230,923—    
1959 420,115+81.9%
1970 588,203+40.0%
1979 674,605+14.7%
1989 759,586+12.6%
2002 901,494+18.7%
2010 859,939−4.6%
2021 904,200+5.1%
2025 908,090+0.4%
Source: Census data, estimate

Population: 904,200 (2021 census); 859,939 (2010 census); 901,494 (2002 census); 759,586 (1989 Soviet census).

Life expectancy:

2019 2021
Average: 76.5 years 73.8 years
Male: 72.6 years 69.9 years
Female: 79.9 years 77.3 years

Vital statistics

Source:
Average population (x 1000) Live births Deaths Natural change Crude birth rate (per 1000) Crude death rate (per 1000) Natural change (per 1000) Fertility rates
1970 592 11,683 3,913 7,770 19.7 6.6 13.1
1975 634 12,315 4,717 7,598 19.4 7.4 12.0
1980 680 14,098 5,457 8,641 20.7 8.0 12.7
1985 725 15,941 5,854 10,087 22.0 8.1 13.9
1990 772 15,412 6,573 8,839 20.0 8.5 11.5 2.45
1991 788 14,952 6,995 7,957 19.0 8.9 10.1 2.35
1992 799 13,728 7,093 6,635 17.2 8.9 8.3 2.16
1993 807 11,781 7,864 3,917 14.6 9.7 4.9 1.86
1994 816 11,407 8,052 3,355 14.0 9.9 4.1 1.79
1995 828 10,844 8,236 2,608 13.1 9.9 3.2 1.67
1996 840 10,293 8,199 2,094 12.2 9.8 2.5 1.56
1997 853 10,016 7,985 2,031 11.7 9.4 2.4 1.47
1998 866 9,997 8,201 1,796 11.5 9.5 2.1 1.44
1999 875 9,221 8,292 929 10.5 9.5 1.1 1.30
2000 883 9,207 8,792 415 10.4 10.0 0.5 1.26
2001 891 8,892 8,778 114 10.0 9.9 0.1 1.19
2002 897 9,119 8,954 165 10.2 10.0 0.2 1.20
2003 896 9,294 9,202 92 10.4 10.3 0.1 1.20
2004 889 9,414 8,695 719 10.6 9.8 0.8 1.22
2005 882 8,991 9,034 - 43 10.2 10.2 -0.0 1.13
2006 875 9,308 8,764 544 10.6 10.0 0.6 1.16
2007 870 11,397 8,441 2,956 13.1 9.7 3.4 1.41
2008 866 12,052 8,095 3,957 13.9 9.3 4.6 1.49
2009 863 12,143 8,406 3,737 14.1 9.7 4.3 1.62
2010 860 12,576 8,080 4,496 14.6 9.4 5.2 1.66
2011 860 12,848 8,136 4,712 14.9 9.4 5.5 1.70
2012 859 13,786 7,709 6,077 16.0 9.0 7.0 1.83
2013 859 13,365 7,712 5,653 15.6 9.0 6.6 1.80
2014 860 13,397 7,571 5,826 15.6 8.8 6.8 1.83
2015 861 12,627 7,582 5,045 14.6 8.8 5.8 1.75
2016 863 12,191 7,386 4,805 14.1 8.5 5.6 1.72
2017 865 11,092 7,391 3,701 12.8 8.5 4.3 1.61
2018 865 10,881 7,044 3,837 12.5 8.1 4.4 1.61
2019 866 9,973 7,142 2,831 11.5 8.2 3.3 1.51
2020 10,604 8,624 1,980 12.2 9.9 2.3 1.64
2021 10,462 9,436 1,026 12.0 10.8 1.2 1.67
2022 10,049 8,010 2,039 11.5 9.2 2.3 1.51
2023 9,941 6,827 3,114 11.0 7.5 3.5 1.53
2024 10,180 6,963 3,217 11.2 7.7 3.5 1.61

Note: TFR 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 source.

Ethnic groups

Kabardino-Balkaria includes two major ethnic communities, the Kabardins (Circassians), who speak a North-West Caucasian language, and the Balkars who speak a Turkic language. According to the 2021 Census, Kabardins make up 57.1% of the republic's population, followed by Russians (19.8%) and Balkars (13.7%). Other groups include Cherkess (3.0%), Turks (1.9%), Ossetians (0.8%), Romani (0.5%), and a host of smaller groups, each accounting for less than 0.5% of the total population.

Ethnic
group 		1926 Census1 1939 Census 1959 Census 1970 Census 1979 Census 1989 Census 2002 Census 2010 Census 2021 Census3
Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number %
Kabardin 122,237 54.2% 152,237 42.4% 190,284 45.3% 264,675 45.0% 303,604 45.5% 364,494 48.2% 498,7022 55.3% 490,453 57.2% 502,615 57.1%
Balkars 33,197 14.7% 40,747 11.3% 34,088 8.1% 51,356 8.7% 59,710 9.0% 70,793 9.4% 104,951 11.6% 108,577 12.7% 120,898 13.7%
Russians 32,622 14.5% 129,067 35.9% 162,586 38.7% 218,595 37.2% 234,137 35.1% 240,750 31.9% 226,620 25.1% 193,155 22.5% 174,768 19.8%
Ossetians 3,839 1.7% 4,608 1.3% 6,442 1.5% 9,167 1.6% 9,710 1.5% 9,996 1.3% 9,845 1.1% 9,129 1.1% 6,877 0.8%
Ukrainians 24,723 11.0% 11,142 3.1% 8,400 2.0% 10,620 1.8% 12,139 1.8% 12,826 1.7% 7,592 0.8% 4,800 0.6% 1,461 0.2%
Cherkess 8,803 3.9% 21,328 5.9% 18,315 4.4% 33,790 5.7% 47,246 7.1% 614 0.1% 725 0.1% 2,475 0.3% 26,544 3.0%
Others 55,058 7.3% 53,059 5.9% 49,081 5.7% 47,748 5.7%
1 The results of the 1926 census refer to the present territory, which is a combination of the Kabardo-Balkarian AO and a part of the Terek district. The latter area was mainly inhabited by Russians and Ukrainians.

2 In view of the results of the 1989 census and the 2010 census, the number of Kabardins in 2002 seems unlikely high.
3 23,289 people were registered from administrative databases, and could not declare an ethnicity. It is estimated that the proportion of ethnicities in this group is the same as that of the declared group.

  • Mosque in Kabardino-Balkaria
  • Catholic church in Kabardino-Balkaria (Diocese of Saratov, Blagoveshchenka)
  • Balkars in 1936
  • Kabardian wrestler Beslan Mudranov won Russia's first gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics

Religion

Religion in Kabardino-Balkaria as of 2012 (Sreda Arena Atlas)
Islam
 
 70.8%
Russian Orthodoxy
 
 11.6%
Other Christians
 
 4%
Native faiths
 
 1.8%
Spiritual but not religious
 
 5.6%
Atheism and irreligion
 
 4.4%
Other and undeclared
 
 1.8%

According to a 2012 survey which interviewed 56,900 people, 70.8% of the population of Kabardino-Balkaria adhered to Islam, 11.6% to the Russian Orthodox Church, 3.8% were non-Orthodox Christians, and 1.8% followed Adyghe (Kabardian) folk religion and other indigenous faiths. In addition, 5.6% of the population declared to be "spiritual but not religious" and 4.4% was atheist or followed other religions, including Jehovah's Witnesses.

See also

  • Caucasian Avars
  • Bulgars
  • List of chairmen of the Parliament of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic
  • Minor hydro-electric plants of Kabardino-Balkaria
  • Mount Imeon

Notes

  1. Russian: Кабарди́но-Балка́рская Респу́блика, romanized: Kabardino-Balkarskaya Respublika; Kabardian: Къэбэрдей-Балъкъэр Республикэ, romanized: Ķêbêrdej-Baĺķêr Respublikê; Karachay-Balkar: Къабарты-Малкъар Республика, romanized: Qabartı-Malqar Respublika

Sources

  • Bell, Imogen (2003). The Territories of the Russian Federation 2003. Europa Publications. ISBN 1-85743-191-X.
  • Совет Республики Парламента Кабардино-Балкарской Республики. Закон №13-РЗ от 4 августа 1994 г. «О государственном гимне Кабардино-Балкарской Республики», в ред. Закона №13-РЗ от 13 апреля 2015 г «О внесении изменений в статьи 2 и 4 Закона Кабардино-Балкарской Республики "О государственном гимне Кабардино-Балкарской Республики"». Вступил в силу 18 августа 1994 г. Опубликован: "Кабардино-Балкарская правда", №148, 12 августа 1994 г. (Council of the Republic of the Parliament of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. Law #13-RZ of 4 August 1994 On the State Anthem of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, as amended by the Law #13-RZ of 13 April 2015 On Amending Articles 2 and 4 of the Law of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic "On the State Anthem of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic". Effective as of 18 August 1994.).
  • Парламент Кабардино-Балкарской Республики. №28-РЗ 1 сентября 1997 г. «Конституция Кабардино-Балкарской Республики», в ред. Закона №40-РЗ от 19 октября 2015 г. «О поправках к Конституции Кабардино-Балкарской Республики». Вступил в силу со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Кабардино-Балкарская правда", №177, 9 сентября 1997 г. (Parliament of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. #28-RZ September 1, 1997 Constitution of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, as amended by the Law #40-RZ of October 19, 2015 On the Amendments to the Constitution of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. Effective as of the day of the official publication.).
  • Дударев, В. А.; Евсеева, Н. А. (1987). И. Каманина (ed.). СССР. Административно-территориальное деление союзных республик (in Russian). Moscow.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

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