Altai Republic
Encyclopedia
Altai Republic is a federal subject
of Russia
(a republic
). Its capital is the town of Gorno-Altaysk
. The area of the republic is 92600 square kilometres (35,753.1 sq mi). Population:
at the junction of Siberia
n taiga
, steppe
s of Kazakhstan
and semi-desert
s of Mongolia
. Forests cover about 25% of the republic's territory.
More than 20,000 tributaries sprawl throughout the mountainous Republic, making for a total of more than 60000 kilometres (37,282.4 mi) worth of waterways. The republic's largest rivers are the Katun and the Biya
, both of which originate in the mountains and flow northwards. The junction of the two rivers eventually forms the Ob River
, one of the longest rivers in Siberia
, which flows northward to the Arctic Ocean.
The source of the black Biya River is Lake Teletskoye
, the region's largest lake located in an isolated area far south in the mountains. The emerald-colored Katun River has its source at the Gebler glacier, which is situated on the Republic's highest point, Mount Belukha. The Katun River in particular holds a religious significance for native Altaians, as well as for many Russians who live in the area, as Mount Belukha is known in Altai folklore to be the gateway to the mystical kingdom of Shambhala
. http://www.altaiassistanceproject.org/travelenmek.html
The hydrographic network of the Republic also includes approximately 7,000 lakes, adding up to a total area of more than 700 km² (270 sq mi). The largest lake is Lake Teletskoye
, which is 80 km (50 mi) long and 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) wide, has an area of 230.8 square kilometres (89.1 sq mi), and has a maximum depth of 325 metres (1,066.3 ft). The mountain lakes of Altai contain enormous freshwater reserves of a very pure quality as a result of their distance from most human activity. http://www.engg.ksu.edu/CHSR/international/altai/ Lake Teletskoye alone contains more than 40 cubic kilometres (9.6 cu mi) of highly pure water.
Potential ground water storage is evaluated at 22 million m³ per day, while the present use constitutes about 44,000 m³ per day.
n part of the Altai Mountains system, which covers a large part of the Republic and continues into neighboring Kazakhstan
, Mongolia
and China
. The region continues to experience periodic notable seismic activity, which is visually made apparent through the mountains' characteristically high and rugged mountain ridges, separated by narrow and deep river valleys. The Republic's highest peak, Mount Belukha (4,506 m), is the highest point in Siberia
.
Mineral resources in the region primarily include gold
, silver
, iron ores, and lithium
, in addition to other smaller amounts of minerals. The large city of Barnaul
in neighboring Altai Krai
was originally founded as a processing center for minerals from the Altai region, although the mineral extraction industry today is much smaller than in the past.
In general, the republic's climate of the southeastern areas, such as the (Ulagansky
and Kosh-Agachsky District
s), is harsher than the climate of the less elevated northern areas.
As per the 2002 Census
, ethnic Russians
make up 57.4% of the republic's population, with the ethnic Altay people
numbering only 30.6%. Other groups include Kazakhs
(6.0%), Telengits (2,368, or 1.2%), Tubalars
(1,533, or 0.8%), Ukrainians
(1,437 or 0.7%), and a host of smaller groups, each accounting for less than 0.5% of the total population.
. The original name for this region was Bazla. On January 7, 1948 it was renamed Gorno-Altai Autonomous Oblast
(Го́рно-Алта́йская автоно́мная о́бласть). In 1991 it was reorganized into the Gorno-Altai Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic
(ASSR). In 1992 it was renamed as the Altai Republic.
, who succeeded Mikhail Lapshin
in this post. The supreme legislative body of the republic is the State Assembly—El Kurultai
, with 41 deputies popularly elected every four years. Igor Yaimov is the current Chairman of the State Assembly-El Kurultai from January 2002.
The Republic's Constitution was adopted on June 7, 1997.
mining, footwear, dairying and timber. Tourism has also begun to make its mark on the economy, and a large number of new hotels and resorts catering towards "New Russians" have begun to appear.
-Biysk
-Tashanta.
With the Soviet Union's collapse, the Altai Republic's tourism industry has greatly expanded. Although wealthy Russians from neighboring Russian republics are the most common sort of tourist in Altai, foreign interest has also grown in the area, especially due to the area's spiritual significance to New Age believers and others.
Popular tourist destinations tend to be concentrated in the north, where the roads are more accessible. They are also almost entirely located along the Chuiskiy highway, which is the main road from the north into the mountains (although it is currently only two lanes wide). The north is also significantly warmer than the elevated southern areas, which tend to be chilly even in the summer.
Some of the more well-known tourist spots in the Altai region include Lake Aiya (a popular bathing spot), Belokurikha
(known for its mineral water springs), and the picturesque Chemal region. More adventurous travelers may wish to visit the more remote Lake Teletskoye
or Mount Belukha in the south.
), twelve colleges, and 205 secondary schools in the republic.
. Ethnic Russians primarily practice Orthodox Christianity
, while Kazakhs are traditionally Muslims
. Tibetan Buddhism
has also recently begun making some inroads by way of neighboring Mongolia
and Tuva
.
From 1904 until the 1930s, a new religious movement called Burkhanism
(or Ak Jang, the "white faith") was popularized among native Altaians. The religion originated in Altai, and emphasized the "white" aspect of shamanistic practice. Burkhanism remains an important component of Altaian national consciousness, and is currently being revived in several forms along with indigenous Altai culture in general.
Russian New Age
followers often go on pilgrimages to Mount Belukha, which is considered to be the location of Shambhala
both by some New Agers and locals of Altai. One can often find manifestations of shamanistic spirituality in the region; for example, at points along the Katun River, local believers in shamanism are known to tie white ribbons to nearby trees and leave offerings of coins or food to the spirits. http://enspire.syr.edu/AltaiWeb/AltaiCulture.html Although shamanism is much less widely practiced today, it is regaining popularity as a result of new religious freedom following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
, born in 1870 in Ulala, was the first professional Altay artist. He is notable for his Altay landscapes.
Federal subjects of Russia
Russia is a federation which, since March 1, 2008, consists of 83 federal subjects . In 1993, when the Constitution was adopted, there were 89 federal subjects listed...
of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
(a republic
Republics of Russia
The Russian Federation is divided into 83 federal subjects , 21 of which are republics. The republics represent areas of non-Russian ethnicity. The indigenous ethnic group of a republic that gives it its name is referred to as the "titular nationality"...
). Its capital is the town of Gorno-Altaysk
Gorno-Altaysk
Gorno-Altaysk is the capital town of the Altai Republic, Russia, situated east of Moscow. Population: This only town of the republic lies in a narrow Mayma Valley in the foothills of the Altay Mountains...
. The area of the republic is 92600 square kilometres (35,753.1 sq mi). Population:
Geography
The republic is situated in the very center of AsiaAsia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
at the junction of Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
n taiga
Taiga
Taiga , also known as the boreal forest, is a biome characterized by coniferous forests.Taiga is the world's largest terrestrial biome. In North America it covers most of inland Canada and Alaska as well as parts of the extreme northern continental United States and is known as the Northwoods...
, steppe
Steppe
In physical geography, steppe is an ecoregion, in the montane grasslands and shrublands and temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biomes, characterized by grassland plains without trees apart from those near rivers and lakes...
s of Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
and semi-desert
Desert
A desert is a landscape or region that receives an extremely low amount of precipitation, less than enough to support growth of most plants. Most deserts have an average annual precipitation of less than...
s of Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
. Forests cover about 25% of the republic's territory.
- Area: 92600 km² (35,753.1 sq mi)
- Borders:
- internal: Kemerovo OblastKemerovo OblastKemerovo Oblast , also known as Kuzbass after the Kuznetsk Basin, is a federal subject of Russia , located in southwestern Siberia, where the West Siberian Plain meets the South Siberian mountains...
(N), Republic of Khakassia (NE), Tuva Republic (E), and Altai KraiAltai KraiAltai Krai is a federal subject of Russia . It borders with, clockwise from the south, Kazakhstan, Novosibirsk and Kemerovo Oblasts, and the Altai Republic. The krai's administrative center is the city of Barnaul...
(W/NW). - international: MongoliaMongoliaMongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
(Bayan-Ölgii Province) (SE), ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
(Altay PrefectureAltay PrefectureAltay Prefecture is located in northern Xinjiang, China. It has an area of 118,015 km² and a population of 561,667 . It is a part of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture...
) (S), and KazakhstanKazakhstanKazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
(East Kazakhstan Province) (S/SW)
- internal: Kemerovo Oblast
- Highest point: Mount Belukha (4,506 m)
- Maximum N->S distance: 360 km
- Maximum E->W distance: 380 km
Rivers and lakes
Biya River
The Biya River is a river in the Altai Republic and Altai Krai in Russia. It forms the Ob River as it joins the Katun River. The Biya River is 301 km long; the area of its drainage basin is 37,000 km². It flows out of the Teletskoye Lake. The river freezes up in the mid-November to early December...
, both of which originate in the mountains and flow northwards. The junction of the two rivers eventually forms the Ob River
Ob River
The Ob River , also Obi, is a major river in western Siberia, Russia and is the world's seventh longest river. It is the westernmost of the three great Siberian rivers that flow into the Arctic Ocean .The Gulf of Ob is the world's longest estuary.-Names:The Ob is known to the Khanty people as the...
, one of the longest rivers in Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
, which flows northward to the Arctic Ocean.
The source of the black Biya River is Lake Teletskoye
Lake Teletskoye
Lake Teletskoye is the largest lake in the Altay Mountains and the Altai Republic, Russia, and has a depth of up to 325 meters.Situated at a height of 434 m above sea level, the lake is long and wide and lies between the mountain ridges Korbu and Al-tyntu, on the junction of Sailughem Mountains...
, the region's largest lake located in an isolated area far south in the mountains. The emerald-colored Katun River has its source at the Gebler glacier, which is situated on the Republic's highest point, Mount Belukha. The Katun River in particular holds a religious significance for native Altaians, as well as for many Russians who live in the area, as Mount Belukha is known in Altai folklore to be the gateway to the mystical kingdom of Shambhala
Shambhala
In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Shambhala or Shangri-la is a mythical kingdom hidden somewhere in Inner Asia...
. http://www.altaiassistanceproject.org/travelenmek.html
The hydrographic network of the Republic also includes approximately 7,000 lakes, adding up to a total area of more than 700 km² (270 sq mi). The largest lake is Lake Teletskoye
Lake Teletskoye
Lake Teletskoye is the largest lake in the Altay Mountains and the Altai Republic, Russia, and has a depth of up to 325 meters.Situated at a height of 434 m above sea level, the lake is long and wide and lies between the mountain ridges Korbu and Al-tyntu, on the junction of Sailughem Mountains...
, which is 80 km (50 mi) long and 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) wide, has an area of 230.8 square kilometres (89.1 sq mi), and has a maximum depth of 325 metres (1,066.3 ft). The mountain lakes of Altai contain enormous freshwater reserves of a very pure quality as a result of their distance from most human activity. http://www.engg.ksu.edu/CHSR/international/altai/ Lake Teletskoye alone contains more than 40 cubic kilometres (9.6 cu mi) of highly pure water.
Potential ground water storage is evaluated at 22 million m³ per day, while the present use constitutes about 44,000 m³ per day.
Mountains
The most striking geographical aspect of the Republic of Altai is its mountainous terrain. The Republic is situated within the RussiaRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n part of the Altai Mountains system, which covers a large part of the Republic and continues into neighboring Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
, Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. The region continues to experience periodic notable seismic activity, which is visually made apparent through the mountains' characteristically high and rugged mountain ridges, separated by narrow and deep river valleys. The Republic's highest peak, Mount Belukha (4,506 m), is the highest point in Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
.
Natural resources
Various bodies of water are among the most important natural resources of the Republic. Mineral and hot springs are popular destinations for tourists and locals, sought for their therapeutic effects. Additionally, Altai glaciers contain a great amount of fresh water. The general volume of ice for registered Altai glaciers comes to a total of 57 km³, 52 km³ of which is water. The total water stock of the glaciers exceeds the average annual effluence of all Altai rivers, which are equal to 43 km³ per year. The largest glaciers are: Bolshoy Taldurinsky (35 km²), Mensu (21 km²), Sofiysky (17 km²), and Bolshoy Maashey (16 km²).Mineral resources in the region primarily include gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
, silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
, iron ores, and lithium
Lithium
Lithium is a soft, silver-white metal that belongs to the alkali metal group of chemical elements. It is represented by the symbol Li, and it has the atomic number 3. Under standard conditions it is the lightest metal and the least dense solid element. Like all alkali metals, lithium is highly...
, in addition to other smaller amounts of minerals. The large city of Barnaul
Barnaul
-Russian Empire:Barnaul was one of the earlier cities established in Siberia. Originally chosen for its proximity to the mineral-rich Altai Mountains and its location on a major river, the site was founded by the wealthy Demidov family in the 1730s. In addition to the copper which had originally...
in neighboring Altai Krai
Altai Krai
Altai Krai is a federal subject of Russia . It borders with, clockwise from the south, Kazakhstan, Novosibirsk and Kemerovo Oblasts, and the Altai Republic. The krai's administrative center is the city of Barnaul...
was originally founded as a processing center for minerals from the Altai region, although the mineral extraction industry today is much smaller than in the past.
Climate
The republic has a temperate continental climate with relatively short and hot summers (June–August); and long, cold, and often quite frosty winters (November–March).In general, the republic's climate of the southeastern areas, such as the (Ulagansky
Ulagansky District
Ulagansky District is an administrative and municipal district , one of the ten in the Altai Republic, Russia. Its administrative center is the rural locality of Ulagan. District's population: Population of Ulagan accounts for 22.5% of the district's population....
and Kosh-Agachsky District
Kosh-Agachsky District
Kosh-Agachsky District is a district of the Altai Republic, Russia. Its administrative center is the rural locality of Kosh-Agach. District's population: Population of Kosh-Agach accounts for 32.9% of the district's population....
s), is harsher than the climate of the less elevated northern areas.
- Average annual temperature: +1°C to -6.7°C.
- January temperature range: -9.2°C to -31°C.
- July temperature range: +11°C to +19°C.
- Average annual precipitationPrecipitation (meteorology)In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation (also known as one of the classes of hydrometeors, which are atmospheric water phenomena is any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls under gravity. The main forms of precipitation...
: 100–1000 mm.
Demographics
- Population: 206,195 (2010 Census preliminary results]])
- Population: 202,947 (2002 Census)
- Urban: 53,538 (26.4%)
- Rural: 149,409 (73.6%)
- Male: 96,572 (47.6%)
- Female: 106,375 (52.4%)
- Females per 1,000 males: 1,102
- Average age: 30.5 years
- Urban: 29.4 years
- Rural: 30.9 years
- Male: 29.0 years
- Female: 32.0 years
- Number of households: 69,004 (with 200,100 people)
- Urban: 19,864 (with 55,578 people)
- Rural: 49,140 (with 147,522 people)
- Vital statistics
| Births | Deaths | Birth rate | Death rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 3,236 | 1,486 | 19.3 | 8.8 |
| 1975 | 3,805 | 1,724 | 22.4 | 10.1 |
| 1980 | 3,841 | 2,082 | 21.9 | 11.9 |
| 1985 | 4,256 | 2,097 | 23.0 | 11.3 |
| 1990 | 3,753 | 2,126 | 19.3 | 10.9 |
| 1991 | 3,579 | 2,064 | 18.2 | 10.5 |
| 1992 | 3,263 | 2,271 | 16.6 | 11.5 |
| 1993 | 2,878 | 2,630 | 14.6 | 13.4 |
| 1994 | 2,931 | 2,875 | 14.8 | 14.5 |
| 1995 | 2,853 | 2,637 | 14.3 | 13.2 |
| 1996 | 2,704 | 2,567 | 13.5 | 12.8 |
| 1997 | 2,686 | 2,547 | 13.4 | 12.7 |
| 1998 | 2,923 | 2,367 | 14.5 | 11.8 |
| 1999 | 2,742 | 2,536 | 13.6 | 12.6 |
| 2000 | 2,907 | 2,645 | 14.3 | 13.0 |
| 2001 | 3,033 | 2,870 | 14.9 | 14.1 |
| 2002 | 3,252 | 3,061 | 16.0 | 15.1 |
| 2003 | 3,392 | 3,173 | 16.7 | 15.6 |
| 2004 | 3,513 | 3,015 | 17.3 | 14.8 |
| 2005 | 3,502 | 3,170 | 17.2 | 15.5 |
| 2006 | 3,395 | 2,837 | 16.6 | 13.8 |
| 2007 | 4,066 | 2,574 | 19.7 | 12.5 |
| 2008 | 4,442 | 2,549 | 21.3 | 12.2 |
- Ethnic groups
As per the 2002 Census
Russian Census (2002)
Russian Census of 2002 was the first census of the Russian Federation carried out on October 9 through October 16, 2002. It was carried out by the Russian Federal Service of State Statistics .-Resident population:...
, ethnic Russians
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
make up 57.4% of the republic's population, with the ethnic Altay people
Altay people
The Altay or Altai are an ethnic group of Turkic people living in the Siberian Altai Republic and Altai Krai and surrounding areas of Tuva and Mongolia. For alternative ethnonyms see also Teleut, Tele, Telengit, Mountain Kalmuck, White Kalmuck, Black Tatar, Oirat/Oirot.The Uriankhai people were...
numbering only 30.6%. Other groups include Kazakhs
Kazakhs
The Kazakhs are a Turkic people of the northern parts of Central Asia ....
(6.0%), Telengits (2,368, or 1.2%), Tubalars
Tubalars
The Tubalar are an ethnic group native to the Altai Republic in Russia. According to the 2002 census, there were 1565 Tubalars in Russia.The most dense population of Tubalars are in the villages of Artybash, Iogach, Novotroitsk, Tuloi, Tondoshka, Kebezen, Ust-Pyzha, Biyka, Yailu, Chuyka, Torochak,...
(1,533, or 0.8%), Ukrainians
Ukrainians
Ukrainians are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Ukraine, which is the sixth-largest nation in Europe. The Constitution of Ukraine applies the term 'Ukrainians' to all its citizens...
(1,437 or 0.7%), and a host of smaller groups, each accounting for less than 0.5% of the total population.
| 1926 census | 1939 census | 1959 census | 1970 census | 1979 census | 1989 census | 2002 census | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altay Altay people The Altay or Altai are an ethnic group of Turkic people living in the Siberian Altai Republic and Altai Krai and surrounding areas of Tuva and Mongolia. For alternative ethnonyms see also Teleut, Tele, Telengit, Mountain Kalmuck, White Kalmuck, Black Tatar, Oirat/Oirot.The Uriankhai people were... |
42,2131 (42.4%) | 39,285 (24.2%) | 38,019 (24.2%) | 46,750 (27.8%) | 50,203 (29.2%) | 59,130 (31.0%) | 67,7452 (33.5%) |
| Russians Russians The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries.... |
51,813 (52.0%) | 114,209 (70.4%) | 109,661 (69.8%) | 110,442 (65.6%) | 108,795 (63.2%) | 115,188 (60.4%) | 116,510 (57.4%) |
| Kazakhs Kazakhs The Kazakhs are a Turkic people of the northern parts of Central Asia .... |
2,326 (2.3%) | 4,280 (2.6%) | 4,745 (3.0%) | 7,170 (4.3%) | 8,677 (5.0%) | 10,692 (5.6%) | 12,108 (6.0%) |
| Others | 3,309 (3.3%) | 4,405 (2.7%) | 4,736 (3.0%) | 3,899 (2.3%) | 4,365 (2.5%) | 5,821 (3.1%) | 6,443 (3.2%) |
- including 3414 Telengits, 1384 KumandinsKumandinsThe Kumandins are an autonomous people of southern Siberia. They reside mainly in the Altai Republic. Their language is related to the Turkic Uigur language of the Karluk branch....
and 344 TeleutsTeleutsTeleuts are a Turkic people people living in Kemerovo Oblast, Russia. According to the 2002 census, there were 2650 Teleuts in Russia. Their language is classified as a southern dialect within the group of dialects which is called Altay language.... - including 2368 Telengits, 1533 TubalarsTubalarsThe Tubalar are an ethnic group native to the Altai Republic in Russia. According to the 2002 census, there were 1565 Tubalars in Russia.The most dense population of Tubalars are in the villages of Artybash, Iogach, Novotroitsk, Tuloi, Tondoshka, Kebezen, Ust-Pyzha, Biyka, Yailu, Chuyka, Torochak,...
, 931 KumandinsKumandinsThe Kumandins are an autonomous people of southern Siberia. They reside mainly in the Altai Republic. Their language is related to the Turkic Uigur language of the Karluk branch....
, 830 ChelkansChelkansThe Chlenkans are a small Turkic people living in southern Siberia. Those residing in Altai Republic are sometimes grouped together with the Altay ethnic group and those in Kemerovo Oblast are grouped with the Shors; however, they are recognized as a separate ethnic group by ethnographers...
and 32 TeleutsTeleutsTeleuts are a Turkic people people living in Kemerovo Oblast, Russia. According to the 2002 census, there were 2650 Teleuts in Russia. Their language is classified as a southern dialect within the group of dialects which is called Altay language....
History
The national autonomy for the Altai people was created on June 1, 1922 as Oyrot Autonomous Oblast (Ойро́тская автоно́мная о́бласть), part of Altai KraiAltai Krai
Altai Krai is a federal subject of Russia . It borders with, clockwise from the south, Kazakhstan, Novosibirsk and Kemerovo Oblasts, and the Altai Republic. The krai's administrative center is the city of Barnaul...
. The original name for this region was Bazla. On January 7, 1948 it was renamed Gorno-Altai Autonomous Oblast
Gorno-Altai Autonomous Oblast
The Gorno-Altai Autonomous Oblast It was upgraded into an ASSR in 1991, shortly before the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It corresponds to the current Altai Republic....
(Го́рно-Алта́йская автоно́мная о́бласть). In 1991 it was reorganized into the Gorno-Altai Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic
Gorno-Altai Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic
The Gorno-Altai Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was an autonomous republic of the Soviet Union. It was formed on 1 June 1922 as the Oyrot Autonomous Region and became the Gorno-Altai Autonomous Oblast on 7 January 1948...
(ASSR). In 1992 it was renamed as the Altai Republic.
Politics
The head of government in Altai Republic is the Head of the Republic, popularly elected for a four-year term. As of 2006, the Head of the Republic is Alexander Vasilyevich BerdnikovAlexander Berdnikov
Alexander Vasilyevich Berdnikov is a Russian politician, current Chairman of the Government of the Altai Republic, and the head of the republic....
, who succeeded Mikhail Lapshin
Mikhail Lapshin
Mikhail Ivanovich Lapshin was the President of the Altai Republic in Russia from 2002 to 2006.Lapshin was born in Setovka, Altai Krai. He became President of the Altai Republic in January 2002. He defeated incumbent Semyon Zubakin in the December 2001 elections with 68% of the vote...
in this post. The supreme legislative body of the republic is the State Assembly—El Kurultai
State Assembly of the Altai Republic
The State Assembly of the Altai Republic is the unicameral legislature of the Russian Altai Republic. It comprises 41 deputies popularly elected every four years. It succeeded the Supreme Council in 1994....
, with 41 deputies popularly elected every four years. Igor Yaimov is the current Chairman of the State Assembly-El Kurultai from January 2002.
The Republic's Constitution was adopted on June 7, 1997.
Economy
The Altai Republic is a highly agricultural region. However, it does have some industry which includes foodstuffs, non-ferrous metallurgy, chemicals, goldGold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
mining, footwear, dairying and timber. Tourism has also begun to make its mark on the economy, and a large number of new hotels and resorts catering towards "New Russians" have begun to appear.
Transportation
Due to geographical peculiarities of the Republic, two means of transportation : Motor transport (over 90% of all kinds of traffic) and air transport (passenger traffic and transport of mail)—were developed. Motor transport is by far the prevailing one, and the vast majority of the Republic's inhabitants live along the main Chuiskiy highway. The extent of automobile roads is more than 3500 kilometres (2,174.8 mi), 572 kilometres (355.4 mi) of which is the Chuiskiy, the route of Federal importance NovosibirskNovosibirsk
Novosibirsk is the third-largest city in Russia, after Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and the largest city of Siberia, with a population of 1,473,737 . It is the administrative center of Novosibirsk Oblast as well as of the Siberian Federal District...
-Biysk
Biysk
Biysk is a city in Altai Krai, Russia. It is the second largest city of the krai . Population: -Geography:Biysk is situated in southwestern Siberia, on the Biya River . The city is called "the gates to the Altai Mountains", because of its position comparatively not far from this range...
-Tashanta.
Tourism
Popular tourist destinations tend to be concentrated in the north, where the roads are more accessible. They are also almost entirely located along the Chuiskiy highway, which is the main road from the north into the mountains (although it is currently only two lanes wide). The north is also significantly warmer than the elevated southern areas, which tend to be chilly even in the summer.
Some of the more well-known tourist spots in the Altai region include Lake Aiya (a popular bathing spot), Belokurikha
Belokurikha
Belokurikha is a town and a balneological resort in Altai Krai, Russia, located on the Bolshaya Belokurikha River south of Barnaul. Population: 5,700 ....
(known for its mineral water springs), and the picturesque Chemal region. More adventurous travelers may wish to visit the more remote Lake Teletskoye
Lake Teletskoye
Lake Teletskoye is the largest lake in the Altay Mountains and the Altai Republic, Russia, and has a depth of up to 325 meters.Situated at a height of 434 m above sea level, the lake is long and wide and lies between the mountain ridges Korbu and Al-tyntu, on the junction of Sailughem Mountains...
or Mount Belukha in the south.
Education
There is one university (Gorno-Altaisk State UniversityGorno-Altaisk State University
- History :Gorno-Altaisk State University was founded in 1949 as the Pedagogical Institute. It is located in Gorno-Altaisk, Russia. In 1993 it was given the status of a classical University...
), twelve colleges, and 205 secondary schools in the republic.
Religion
The traditional religion of the native Altaians is shamanismShamanism
Shamanism is an anthropological term referencing a range of beliefs and practices regarding communication with the spiritual world. To quote Eliade: "A first definition of this complex phenomenon, and perhaps the least hazardous, will be: shamanism = technique of ecstasy." Shamanism encompasses the...
. Ethnic Russians primarily practice Orthodox Christianity
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
, while Kazakhs are traditionally Muslims
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
. Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
has also recently begun making some inroads by way of neighboring Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
and Tuva
Tuva
The Tyva Republic , or Tuva , is a federal subject of Russia . It lies in the geographical center of Asia, in southern Siberia. The republic borders with the Altai Republic, the Republic of Khakassia, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Irkutsk Oblast, and the Republic of Buryatia in Russia and with Mongolia to the...
.
From 1904 until the 1930s, a new religious movement called Burkhanism
Burkhanism
Burkhanism or Ak Jang is a new religious movement that flourished among the indigenous people of Russia's Gorno Altai region between 1904 and the 1930s. Czarist Russia was suspicious of the movement's potential to stir up native unrest and perhaps involve outside powers...
(or Ak Jang, the "white faith") was popularized among native Altaians. The religion originated in Altai, and emphasized the "white" aspect of shamanistic practice. Burkhanism remains an important component of Altaian national consciousness, and is currently being revived in several forms along with indigenous Altai culture in general.
Russian New Age
New Age
The New Age movement is a Western spiritual movement that developed in the second half of the 20th century. Its central precepts have been described as "drawing on both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions and then infusing them with influences from self-help and motivational...
followers often go on pilgrimages to Mount Belukha, which is considered to be the location of Shambhala
Shambhala
In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Shambhala or Shangri-la is a mythical kingdom hidden somewhere in Inner Asia...
both by some New Agers and locals of Altai. One can often find manifestations of shamanistic spirituality in the region; for example, at points along the Katun River, local believers in shamanism are known to tie white ribbons to nearby trees and leave offerings of coins or food to the spirits. http://enspire.syr.edu/AltaiWeb/AltaiCulture.html Although shamanism is much less widely practiced today, it is regaining popularity as a result of new religious freedom following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Culture
Grigory GurkinGrigory Gurkin
Grigory Ivanovich Gurkin was a Russian landscape painter, the first professional artist of Altay ethnic origin. He is notable for his Altay mountain landscapes.-Biography:...
, born in 1870 in Ulala, was the first professional Altay artist. He is notable for his Altay landscapes.
External links
Official website of the Altai Republic Official website of the Altai Republic- National anthem of the Altai Republic (mp3) Gorno-Altaisk State University Altai-Portal United Nations University digital video (2009) "Rediscovering Altai's human-nature relationships - Russia": a Telengit community leader and shaman from the Russian Altai’s high altitude Kosh Agach Raion traversing Altai’s sacred lands Accessed 1 December 2009 Photos of Mountain Altai - Altai-Photo