Kabardino-Balkaria

History

The ancestors of the modern Kabardians, known as Circassians or Kassogs, have inhabited the area since at least the 6th century BCE. During this period, the region was known as Zichia, a medieval Circassian land located on the northeastern shore of the Black Sea. Historical sources first mention Zichia in the 6th century, with Byzantine historian Procopius of Caesarea recording that the people of the Zechoi had a king appointed by the Roman Emperor but had since become independent. The Notitiae Episcopatuum of the Patriarchate of Constantinople mentions an autocephalous archbishopric of Zichia from the 7th century onward, associated with Tamatarcha or the Cimmerian Bosporus.

Between 1242 and 1295, the region came under the control of the Mongols. From 1295 to around 1427, it was governed by the Georgians. In the early 15th century, the area became part of Circassia, which remained independent until the death of King Inal in 1453. Afterward, the kingdom experienced internal divisions and external pressures, leading to a gradual decline in its sovereignty.

Between 1769 and 1830, during the Russo-Circassian War, the region fell under Russian occupation. This period was marked by significant conflict and resistance from the indigenous populations. The war culminated in the annexation of Kabardino-Balkaria by Russia, leading to profound changes in the region's political and social structures.

During the Soviet era, Kabardino-Balkaria was part of the Russian SFSR, undergoing industrial growth but also facing cultural suppression. After the USSR's collapse, it became a republic within Russia and, on 1 July 1994, signed a power-sharing agreement granting it limited autonomy. This agreement allowed the republic to manage its own affairs to some extent, though it remained under the sovereignty of the Russian Federation. In 2001, Kabardino-Balkaria adopted a new constitution that reaffirmed its status within the Russian Federation, explicitly preventing the republic from existing independently.

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 70 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)

Demographics

Population: 904,200 (2021 census); 859,939 (2010 census); 901,494 (2002 census); 759,586 (1989 Soviet census).

Life expectancy:

Vital statistics

Source:

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.

Religion

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, 5.6% of the population declared to be "spiritual but not religious" and 4.4% was atheist or followed other religions, including Jehovah's Witnesses.