Type: Autonomous Republic
Region: North Caucasus
Economic co-operation zone: Northern Caucasus Economic Area
Borders on: Georgia, Republic of North Ossetiya, Republic of Karachay-Cherkessiya, Stavropol Kray
Area: 12,500
Population: 789,900
Population density: 63
Capital: Nalchik
Capital, population: 257,500
Administrative structure: 8 districts, 3 cities
Urbanisation 1989: 59,8%
Local administration, adresse:
Local legislative body:
History: The Turkic Kabardins emerged as a distinct ethnic group in the 15th century. Even though they were converted to Islam by the Tatar Khanate of Crimea in the early 16th century, they appealed to Ivan the IV for protection against the Tatars in 1561. Kabardia was established as a neutral state between the Ottoman and Russian Empires in 1739. The territory once again came under Russian control with the defeat of Turkey in 1774. The Kabards were never openly hostile to Russian control, but many emigrated to the Ottoman Empire in the 1860s. The Kabardian Autonomous Region was formed in the USSR in September 1921.
Balkariya, populated by the Muslim Balkars, came under Russian control in 1827. Many Russians moved to the area in the 19th century. A Balkar District was created as part of the Mountain People’s Republic in 1921 and was incorporated into the Kabardino-Balkar Autonomous Province in 1922. The Kabardino-Balkar ASSR was established on December 5, 1936. In 1943 the Balkars were deported to Central Asia and the Balkar administrative district was disbanded. In 1956 the Balkars were recognized as a people and allowed to return to the Caucasus region, though scattered throughout Kabardino-Balkar ASSR. The Balkars voted for a separate Balkar Republic at the end of 1991 but this was not put into effect. Kabardino-Balkariya declared its sovereignty on December 31, 1991.
Special laws and agreements: The republic signed a bilateral treaty with the federal authorities in 1995.
Kabardino-Balkariya adopted a program on the coordination of legislative, economic, environmental and legal activities with the Republics of Adegeya and Karachay-Cherkessiya in May 1998.
Other: Income per capita: 53% of federal average. Living costs: 98% of federal average. Subsistence level: 82% of federal average. Infant mortality in 1994: 17.9:1000. Unemployment by the end of 1994 (official figures): 2.1%. Industry (1993, %): fuel and power generation complex (TEK): 9.7, treatment of raw materials: 16, machine building: 32.3, chemical industry: .4, light industry: 34.8..