Kabardino-Blakar Republic is one of the 89 subjects of the Russian Federation. It is situated on the northern slope of the central part of the Caucasus. Kabardino-Balkaria is a multinational republic, represented by more than 100 ethnic groups. Major ethnic groups are: the Kabardians (about 55%), the Balkars (11.6%), the Russians (25.1%), the Ukranians, the Ossetians, the Tats, the Georgians and representatives of other ethnic groups (8.3%). 

 

The Republic consists of 10 administrative-territorial districts: Baksansky (the administrative center is the town of Baksan), Zolsky (urban-type settlement Zalukokoazhe), Maisky (t. Maisky), Prokhladnensky (t. Prokhladny), Tersky (t. Terek), Urvansky (t. Nartkala), Chegemsky (t. Chegem), Chereksky (urban-type settlement Kashkhatau), Elbrussky ( t. Tynyauz), Leskensky (t. Anzorei); cities and towns under republican's jurisdiction are: Nalchik, Prokhladny and Baksan. The share of the urban population tends to increase and is more than 60% of the total population.



The capital of the republic is the city of Nalchik. It is a large cultural, scientific and industrial centre, All-Russian resort with the population of 300 th. people.

Kabardino-Balkar Republic borders Georgia, Stavropol region, the Republic of North Ossetia -Alania and Karachay-Chercess Republic. The overall territory of the Republic is 12.5 thousand sq. km. The population is about 900 thousand people, with the density of 63 inhab./ sq. km, which 7 times exceeds the average Russian index.

Geomorphologically, the territory of the republic is subdivided into three parts: mountains, foothills and plains. Mountains occupy half of the territory of the republic. Mountains and foothills are rich in natural resources and mineral springs, pastures and woods, as for the plains they abound in fertile soils. There are rich deposits of molybdenum and tungsten; the republic also has deposits of lead, tin, arsenic, copper, iron ore, coal, oil, tuff , volcanic pumice and ashes, phosphorite, marl, gypsum, limestone, floridine and fire-clay. There is about a hundred hot and cold mineral springs. The area covered by woods occupy 185 thousand hectares. The fauna is opulent with a variety of wild beasts and birds.

The climate is moderate. The annual average temperature is 9-10 degrees above zero, the annual precipitation level is about 600-700 mm. 215 day in a year the temperature is 5 degrees above zero, by Centigrade. 



Kabardino-Balkarian Republic is one of the most attractive and moreover economically sustainable and socio-politically stable centres of Southern Russia. This opens up broad prospects for mutually beneficial relations in various fields of external economic activities.

In terms of finance and raw materials the republic is based on non-ferrous ores, petroleum and natural gas, various kinds of mining and chemical raw materials, various mineral and fresh water springs, valuable building materials. In all, more than 40 mineral deposits are exploited, and the assessed supplies of mineral springs are more than 12 thousand cubic metres of daily debit. A number of deposits are absolutely unique, as to the scale and type.

 The world biggest Tynyauz GOK ( mining and ore-enriching combine) is working on the basis of the world richest tungsten and molybdenum ore deposits.

The natural, climatic and demographic conditions of the republic mainly meet the requirements of quite developed multi-branch economy. 

Kabardino-Balkaria manufactures many quality things, such as oil-extracting equipment, various kinds of electrocables, diamond tools, artificial leather, film materials and many more. These goods are in great demand both on home and foreign markets. The main peculiarity of the industry is its high concentration in few industrial centres - Nalchik, Tyrnyauz, Prokhladny, Terek, Baksan and Maysky.

Kabardino-Balkaria is All-Russian and international centre of tourism, mountain climbing and downhill skiing. Tourist centres, Alpine camps and comfortable hotels function here. Downhill skiing routes, are in no way inferior to the world-wide known Western European centres of tourism and mountain-skiing, but exceed them in many respects. 

The recreation complex of the republic created on the basis of spas makes it a unique place for people with health problems. It is an important part of the economic potential of the republic. High in the mountains, in the area of Prielbrussje there is functioning a Centre on asthmatic diseases treatment.

Kabardino-Balkaria possesses significant cultural potential, which combine historical traditions of its peoples with the achievements of modern art. There are professional and amateur theatres, choreographic and folk ensembles and the state-owned philarmony in the republic. Affluent in traditions, national art of Kabardino-Blakaria found its embodiment in the articles of applied arts of today's craftsmen. Widely developed are jeweler's art and blacksmith handicraft.

Exceedingly rich archive, ethnographic material on the history and culture of the republic is concentrated in the funds of the National Museum and its seven branches numbering 140 thousand articles.

On common recognition, Kabardino-Balkaria is a republic with the most stable socio-political situation, providing extremely beneficial conditions for versatile and mutually advantageous relations.

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