Adygea

The Republic of Adygea , also known as the Adyghe Republic, is a federal subject of Russia (a republic), with its territory enclaved within Krasnodar Krai. Its area is 7,600 square km with a population of 439,996 (2010 Census). Maykop is its capital city.

Geography

Adygea lies in southern Eastern Europe, in the foothills of the Western Caucasus in the Caucasus Mountains System, with plains in the northern areas and mountains in the southern area. Forests cover almost 40% of its territory.

• Area — 7,600 km2 (2,900 sq mi).
• Borders — the Republic of Adygea is entirely surrounded by Krasnodar Krai.
• Highest point — Chugush Mountain 3,238 m (10,623 ft).

Rivers

The 870-kilometer (540 mi) long Kuban River is one of the major navigable rivers in the Caucasus region. It forms part of the northern border between the Republic of Adygea and Krasnodar Krai.
Other rivers include:

• Belaya River
• Chokhrak River
• Dakh River
• Fars River
• Khodz River
• Kisha River
• Bolshaya Laba River — (forming part of the eastern border between Adygea and Krasnodar Krai)
• Psekups River
• Pshish River
• Sakhray River
• Sukhoy Kurdzhips River — flows near the archaeological site at Mezmaiskaya cave.

Lakes

The republic has no large lakes. However, the several large reservoirs include:

• Krasnodarskoye Reservoir
• Oktyabrskoye Reservoir
• Shapsugskoye Reservoir
• Tshchitskoye Reservoir

Mountains

The republic's major mountains and peaks range in height from 2,000–3,238 metres (6,562–10,623 ft), and include:

• Chugush Mountain — 3,238 m (10,623 ft)
• Mount Fisht — 2,868 m (9,409 ft)
• Oshten Mountain
• Pseashkho Mountain
• Shepsi Mountain

Natural resources

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

History

Cherkess (Adyghe) Autonomous Oblast was established within the Russian SFSR on July 27, 1922, on the territories of Kuban-Black Sea Oblast, primarily settled by the Adyghe people. At that time, Krasnodar was the administrative center. It was renamed Adyghe (Cherkess) Autonomous Oblast on August 24, 1922, soon after its creation. In the first two years of its existence the autonomous oblast was a part of the Russian SFSR, but on October 17, 1924, it was transferred to the jurisdiction of the newly created North Caucasus Krai within the RSFSR.

It was renamed Adyghe Autonomous Oblast (AO) in July 1928. On January 10, 1934, the autonomous oblast became part of new Azov-Black Sea Krai, which was removed from North Caucasus Krai. Maykop was made the administrative center of the autonomous oblast in 1936. Adyghe AO became part of Krasnodar Krai when it was established on September 13, 1937.

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 the republic was Aslan Aliyevich Dzharimov, elected in January 1992.

From 2002 to 2007, Hazret Sovmen was President. He, and most of the rest of the political elite in Adygea, are Adyghes. As a reaction to that, an organization calling itself the Union of Slavs was established, claiming that ethnic Russians are discriminated against in Adygea. They advocate the merger of Adygea with Krasnodar Krai, but have so far have had little support for that proposition from the Russian government.

Relations between Adygs and ethnic Russians in Adyghe are currently good. Russians make up two-thirds the population within Adygea and the current Head, Aslan Tkhakushinov is an ethnic Adyghe and was elected largely on the support of Russian votes.

Culture

The Adyghe language (Adyghabze) is a member of the Northwest Caucasian group of Caucasian languages. Along with Russian, Adyghe is the official language of the republic.

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