Magas
Magas () is the capital town of the Republic of Ingushetia, Russia. It was founded in 1995 and replaced Nazran as the capital of the republic in 2002. Due to this distinction, Magas is the smallest capital of a federal subject in Russia. In 2019, it had a population of 8,771 inhabitants, up from 5,841 in 2010 and 272 in 2002. History. The Republic of Ingushetia came into existence in 1992, having been split from the Chechen–Ingush ASSR. Nazran, the largest of three towns of the new republic, was made a temporary capital. In 1995, President Ruslan Aushev founded  Magas just a few kilometers south of Nazran, naming it after the medieval city of Maghas. The new town was supposed to serve purely for administrative needs. Magas/Maghas is 28 miles from the frontline for parts of 1942–1943. It replaced Nazran as capital of the Republic in 2002. Geography. Location. Magas is located in the western area of Ingushetia, at the borders with Prigorodny Raion of North Ossetia-Alania. It is surrounded by Nazranovsky Raion, and the nearest settlements are Ekazhevo, the city of Nazran, and Ali-Yurt. The town is also 30 km from the North Ossetian-Alanian  capital city, Vladikavkaz. Administrative and municipal status. Magas is the capital of the republic. Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is incorporated as the town of republic significance of Magas—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, the town of republic significance of Magas is incorporated as Magas Urban Okrug. Climate. Magas has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification: "Dfb") with warm summers and cold winters. Demographics. Magas' population, with a hundred inhabitants at the beginning, increased in early 2010s. Transport. Magas Airport serves the town and the nearby  city of Nazran. The nearest railway station is in Nazran.