# Kabardino-Balkaria

Kabardino-Balkaria (Russian: Кабарди́но-Балка́рия), officially the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, is a republic of Russia located in the North Caucasus. As of the 2021 Census, its population was 904,200. Its capital is Nalchik. The area contains the highest mountain in Europe, Mount Elbrus, at 5,642 m (18,510 ft). Mount Elbrus has 22 glaciers that feed three rivers — Baksan, Malka and Kuban. The mountain is covered with snow year-round.

## Geography

The republic is situated in the North Caucasus mountains, with plains in the northern part. The republic shares an international border with Georgia.
* Area: 12,500 square kilometers (4,800 sq mi)
* Borders:
** internal: Stavropol Krai (N/NE), North Ossetia–Alania (E/SE/S), Karachay–Cherkessia (W/NW)
** international: Georgia (Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Zemo Svaneti) (S/SW)
* Highest point: Mount Elbrus (5,642 m)
* Maximum N->S distance: 167 kilometers (104 mi)
* Maximum E->W distance: 123 kilometers (76 mi)
Kabardino-Balkaria is traversed by the northeasterly line of equal latitude and longitude.

### Rivers

Major rivers include:
* Terek River (623 km)
* Malka River (216 km)
* Baksan River (173 km)
* Urukh River (104 km)
* Chegem River (102 km)
* Cherek River (76 km)
* Argudan River
* Kurkuzhin River
* Lesken River

### Lakes

There are about 100 lakes in the Republic, none of which is large. Just over half (55) are located between the Baksan and Malka Rivers, the largest each of an area of no more than 0.01 square kilometers (0.0039 sq mi). Some of the lakes are:
* Tserikkel Lake (area 26,000 m$^2$; depth 368 m)
* Lower Goluboye Lake
* Kel-Ketchen Lake (depth 177 m)
* Upper Tserikkel Lake (depth 18 m)
* Sekretnoye Lake
* Tambukan Lake (area 1.77 km$^2$; depth 1.5 to 2 m), partially within Stavropol Krai.

### Mountains

* Mount Elbrus (5,642 m), a volcanic mountain and the highest peak in Europe, Russia, and the Caucasus
Other major mountains include:
* Mount Dykhtau (5,402 m)
* Mount Koshtantau (5,151 m)
* Mount Shkhara (5,068 m)
* Pushkin Peak (5,033 m)
* Mount Mizhergi (5,025 m)

### Natural resources

Kabardino-Balkaria's natural resources include molybdenum, tungsten, and coal.

### Climate

The republic has a continental-type climate.
* Average January temperature: −12 °C (10 °F) (mountains) to −4 °C (25 °F) (plains)
* Average July temperature: +4 °C (39 °F) (mountains) to +23 °C (73 °F) (plains)
* Average annual precipitation: 500–2,000 mm.

## History

It is known that modern-day Circassians also called Kassogs were inhabiting Kabardino Balkaria since at least the 6th century BCE, then known as Zichia. On 1 July 1994 Kabardino-Balkaria became the second republic after Tatarstan to sign a power-sharing agreement with the federal government, granting it autonomy.

## Politics

The head of government in Kabardino-Balkaria is the Head. The current Head is Kazbek Kokov. The legislative body of the Republic is the Parliament comprising 72 deputies elected for a five-year term.
The republic adopted a new constitution in 2001 which prevents the republic from existing independently of the Russian Federation.

## Administrative divisions

* Cities and towns under republic's jurisdiction
** Nalchik (Нальчик) (capital)
** Baksan (Баксан)
** Prokhladny (Прохладный)
* Districts:
** Baksansky (Баксанский)
** Chegemsky (Чегемский)
*** Towns under the district's jurisdiction:
**** Chegem (Чегем)
** Chereksky (Черекский)
** Elbrussky (Эльбрусский)
*** Towns under the district's jurisdiction:
**** Tyrnyauz (Тырныауз)
** Leskensky (Лескенский)
** Maysky (Майский)
*** Towns under the district's jurisdiction:
**** Maysky (Майский)
** Prokhladnensky (Прохладненский)
** Tersky (Терский)
*** Towns under the district's jurisdiction:
**** Terek (Терек)
** Urvansky (Урванский)
*** Towns under the district's jurisdiction:
**** Nartkala (Нарткала)
** Zolsky (Зольский)
* Cherek-Balkarskaya gorge
* Mount Dykh-Tau
* Prielbrusye
* Tyzyl Gorge

## Demographics

Population: 904,200 (2021 Census); 859,939 (2010 Census); 901,494 (2002 Census); 759,586 (1989 Soviet census).
Life expectancy:
| | 2019 | 2021 |
| Average: | 76.5 years | 73.8 years |
| Male: | 72.6 years | 69.9 years |
| Female: | 79.9 years | 77.3 years |

### Vital statistics

    Source:
| | Average population (x 1000) | Live births | Deaths | Natural change | Crude birth rate (per 1000) | Crude death rate (per 1000) | Natural change (per 1000) | Fertility rates |
| 1970 | 592 | 11,683 | 3,913 | 7,770 | 19.7 | 6.6 | 13.1 |
| 1975 | 634 | 12,315 | 4,717 | 7,598 | 19.4 | 7.4 | 12.0 |
| 1980 | 680 | 14,098 | 5,457 | 8,641 | 20.7 | 8.0 | 12.7 |
| 1985 | 725 | 15,941 | 5,854 | 10,087 | 22.0 | 8.1 | 13.9 |
| 1990 | 772 | 15,412 | 6,573 | 8,839 | 20.0 | 8.5 | 11.5 | 2.45 |
| 1991 | 788 | 14,952 | 6,995 | 7,957 | 19.0 | 8.9 | 10.1 | 2.35 |
| 1992 | 799 | 13,728 | 7,093 | 6,635 | 17.2 | 8.9 | 8.3 | 2.16 |
| 1993 | 807 | 11,781 | 7,864 | 3,917 | 14.6 | 9.7 | 4.9 | 1.86 |
| 1994 | 816 | 11,407 | 8,052 | 3,355 | 14.0 | 9.9 | 4.1 | 1.79 |
| 1995 | 828 | 10,844 | 8,236 | 2,608 | 13.1 | 9.9 | 3.2 | 1.67 |
| 1996 | 840 | 10,293 | 8,199 | 2,094 | 12.2 | 9.8 | 2.5 | 1.56 |
| 1997 | 853 | 10,016 | 7,985 | 2,031 | 11.7 | 9.4 | 2.4 | 1.47 |
| 1998 | 866 | 9,997 | 8,201 | 1,796 | 11.5 | 9.5 | 2.1 | 1.44 |
| 1999 | 875 | 9,221 | 8,292 | 929 | 10.5 | 9.5 | 1.1 | 1.30 |
| 2000 | 883 | 9,207 | 8,792 | 415 | 10.4 | 10.0 | 0.5 | 1.26 |
| 2001 | 891 | 8,892 | 8,778 | 114 | 10.0 | 9.9 | 0.1 | 1.19 |
| 2002 | 897 | 9,119 | 8,954 | 165 | 10.2 | 10.0 | 0.2 | 1.20 |
| 2003 | 896 | 9,294 | 9,202 | 92 | 10.4 | 10.3 | 0.1 | 1.20 |
| 2004 | 889 | 9,414 | 8,695 | 719 | 10.6 | 9.8 | 0.8 | 1.22 |
| 2005 | 882 | 8,991 | 9,034 | - 43 | 10.2 | 10.2 | -0.0 | 1.13 |
| 2006 | 875 | 9,308 | 8,764 | 544 | 10.6 | 10.0 | 0.6 | 1.16 |
| 2007 | 870 | 11,397 | 8,441 | 2,956 | 13.1 | 9.7 | 3.4 | 1.41 |
| 2008 | 866 | 12,052 | 8,095 | 3,957 | 13.9 | 9.3 | 4.6 | 1.49 |
| 2009 | 863 | 12,143 | 8,406 | 3,737 | 14.1 | 9.7 | 4.3 | 1.62 |
| 2010 | 860 | 12,576 | 8,080 | 4,496 | 14.6 | 9.4 | 5.2 | 1.66 |
| 2011 | 860 | 12,848 | 8,136 | 4,712 | 14.9 | 9.4 | 5.5 | 1.70 |
| 2012 | 859 | 13,786 | 7,709 | 6,077 | 16.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 1.83 |
| 2013 | 859 | 13,365 | 7,712 | 5,653 | 15.6 | 9.0 | 6.6 | 1.80 |
| 2014 | 860 | 13,397 | 7,571 | 5,826 | 15.6 | 8.8 | 6.8 | 1.83 |
| 2015 | 861 | 12,627 | 7,582 | 5,045 | 14.6 | 8.8 | 5.8 | 1.75 |
| 2016 | 863 | 12,191 | 7,386 | 4,805 | 14.1 | 8.5 | 5.6 | 1.72 |
| 2017 | 865 | 11,092 | 7,391 | 3,701 | 12.8 | 8.5 | 4.3 | 1.61 |
| 2018 | 865 | 10,881 | 7,044 | 3,837 | 12.5 | 8.1 | 4.4 | 1.61 |
| 2019 | 866 | 9,973 | 7,142 | 2,831 | 11.5 | 8.2 | 3.3 | 1.51 |
| 2020 | | 10,604 | 8,624 | 1,980 | 12.2 | 9.9 | 2.3 | 1.64 |
| 2021 | | 10,462 | 9,436 | 1,026 | 12.0 | 10.8 | 1.2 | 1.67 |
| 2022 | | 10,049 | 8,010 | 2,039 | 11.5 | 9.2 | 2.3 | 1.51 |
| 2023 | | 9,941 | 6,827 | 3,114 | 11.0 | 7.5 | 3.5 | 1.53 |
| 2024 | | 10,180 | 6,963 | 3,217 | 11.2 | 7.7 | 3.5 | 1.62 |
Note: TFR 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 source.

### Ethnic groups

Kabardino-Balkaria includes two major ethnic communities, the Kabardins (Circassians), who speak a North-West Caucasian language, and the Balkars who speak a Turkic language. According to the 2021 Census, Kabardins make up 57.1% of the republic's population, followed by Russians (19.8%) and Balkars (13.7%). Other groups include Cherkess (3.0%), Turks (1.9%), Ossetians (0.8%), Romani (0.5%), and a host of smaller groups, each accounting for less than 0.5% of the total population.
| Ethnic group | 1926 Census$^1$ | 1926 Census$^1$ | 1939 Census | 1939 Census | 1959 Census | 1959 Census | 1970 Census | 1970 Census | 1979 Census | 1979 Census | 1989 Census | 1989 Census | 2002 Census | 2002 Census | 2010 Census | 2010 Census | 2021 Census$^3$ | 2021 Census$^3$ |
| Ethnic group | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % |
| Kabardin | 122,237 | 54.2% | 152,237 | 42.4% | 190,284 | 45.3% | 264,675 | 45.0% | 303,604 | 45.5% | 364,494 | 48.2% | 498,702$^2$ | 55.3% | 490,453 | 57.2% | 502,615 | 57.1% |
| Balkars | 33,197 | 14.7% | 40,747 | 11.3% | 34,088 | 8.1% | 51,356 | 8.7% | 59,710 | 9.0% | 70,793 | 9.4% | 104,951 | 11.6% | 108,577 | 12.7% | 120,898 | 13.7% |
| Russians | 32,622 | 14.5% | 129,067 | 35.9% | 162,586 | 38.7% | 218,595 | 37.2% | 234,137 | 35.1% | 240,750 | 31.9% | 226,620 | 25.1% | 193,155 | 22.5% | 174,768 | 19.8% |
| Ossetians | 3,839 | 1.7% | 4,608 | 1.3% | 6,442 | 1.5% | 9,167 | 1.6% | 9,710 | 1.5% | 9,996 | 1.3% | 9,845 | 1.1% | 9,129 | 1.1% | 6,877 | 0.8% |
| Ukrainians | 24,723 | 11.0% | 11,142 | 3.1% | 8,400 | 2.0% | 10,620 | 1.8% | 12,139 | 1.8% | 12,826 | 1.7% | 7,592 | 0.8% | 4,800 | 0.6% | 1,461 | 0.2% |
| Cherkess | 8,803 | 3.9% | 21,328 | 5.9% | 18,315 | 4.4% | 33,790 | 5.7% | 47,246 | 7.1% | 614 | 0.1% | 725 | 0.1% | 2,475 | 0.3% | 26,544 | 3.0% |
| Others | 8,803 | 3.9% | 21,328 | 5.9% | 18,315 | 4.4% | 33,790 | 5.7% | 47,246 | 7.1% | 55,058 | 7.3% | 53,059 | 5.9% | 49,081 | 5.7% | 47,748 | 5.7% |
| $^1$ The results of the 1926 census refer to the present territory, which is a combination of the Kabardo-Balkarian AO and a part of the Terek district. The latter area was mainly inhabited by Russians and Ukrainians. $^2$ In view of the results of the 1989 census and the 2010 census, the number of Kabardins in 2002 seems unlikely high. $^3$ 23,289 people were registered from administrative databases, and could not declare an ethnicity. It is estimated that the proportion of ethnicities in this group is the same as that of the declared group. |||||||||||||||||||
* Mosque in Kabardino-Balkaria
* Catholic church in Kabardino-Balkaria (Diocese of Saratov, Blagoveshchenka)
* Balkars in 1936
* Kabardian wrestler Beslan Mudranov won Russia's first gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics

### Religion

Religion in Kabardino-Balkaria as of 2012 (Sreda Arena Atlas) :
| Islam | Islam | 70.8% | 70.8% |
| Russian Orthodoxy | Russian Orthodoxy | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| Other Christians | Other Christians | 4% | 4% |
| Native faiths | Native faiths | 1.8% | 1.8% |
| Spiritual but not religious | Spiritual but not religious | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| Atheism and irreligion | Atheism and irreligion | 4.4% | 4.4% |
| Other and undeclared | Other and undeclared | 1.8% | 1.8% |
According to a 2012 survey which interviewed 56,900 people, 70.8% of the population of Kabardino-Balkaria adhered to Islam, 11.6% to the Russian Orthodox Church, 3.8% were non-Orthodox Christians, and 1.8% followed Adyghe (Kabardian) folk religion and other indigenous faiths. In addition, 12% of the population declared to be "spiritual but not religious" and 5.6% was atheist or followed other religions, including Jehovah's Witnesses.