Kabardino-Balkaria

Republic in the far southwestern Russian Federation, on the border with Georgia; area 12,500 sq km/4,826 sq mi; population (1996) 790,000 (58% urban) (48% Kabarda, 32% Russians, 9% Balkars). The capital is Nalchik, and other cities include Tyrnyauz and Prokhladnyy. The republic is on the northern slopes and foothills of the main Caucasus mountain range and contains the highest Caucasian peaks (Elbrus and Dykh Tau). It is crossed by the Rivers Terek, the Chegem, the Cherek, and the Baksan. Mineral deposits include wolfram, molybdenum, lead, zinc, and coal.

Main industries include mining, oil prospecting and drilling-equipment manufacture, metallurgical engineering, and food processing. Wheat, maize, fruit, and sunflowers are grown, and cattle, sheep, pigs, and horses (Kabarda breed) are raised in the republic.

History The region became a Muscovite protectorate in 1552, was contested by Russia, Crimea, and Turkey in the 17th and 18th centuries, and finally became Russian in 1825. It belonged to the anticommunist South-Eastern League (1917-18), and the ‘Mountain Peoples’ Autonomous Republic in 1921. The Kabardino Autonomous Oblast was formed in 1921, the Balkar Okrug (district) added in 1922, and the area raised to autonomous republic status in 1936. The Balkars were deported to Central Asia and Kazakhstan in 1944 for alleged collaboration with the Germans and their name deleted from the republic's title; it was restored with their rehabilitation in 1957. Kabardino-Balkaria became a federal republic of the Russian Federation in 1991.