Kabardino-Balkaria

History

Mongol control: 1242 - 1295

Georgian control: 1295 - 1387

Timurid control: 1387 - 1405

Georgian control: 1405 - 1505

Persian control: 1502 - 1516

Ottoman control: 1516 - 1557

The Kabard lands have been under Russian protectorate since 1557. In 1739 Kabardia became independent and in 1774 it became part of the Russian empire. Balkaria was annexed in 1827.

In 1921, with the emergence of the Soviet Union, the territories were organized into the Kabardin Autonomous Oblast. The region's name was changed to the Kabardino-Balkar Autonomous Oblast the following year, and in 1936 it was elevated to the status of an Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1944, Stalin accused the Balkars of collaborating with Nazi Germany and deported the entire population. The territory was renamed the Kabardin ASSR until 1957, when the Balkar population was allowed to return and its name was restored.

Geography

Area: 12,500 km²

Mount Elbrus, part of the Caucasus mountains, is located in Kabardino-Balkaria.

Economy

Primarily agricultural, with lumbering and mining. Most industry centers on agricultural processing.

Demographics

Population: 715,000, including 304,000 Kabardin, 60,000 Balkars, and 234,000 Russians.

Kabardino-Balkaria consists of two ethnic territories, one predominantly of Kabard people, who are called the Kabardin (speakers of a Caucasian language) and the other predominantly Balkar (speakers of a Turkic language). There is also a significant Russian population.

See also: Avars

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Referenced By