The North Caucasus Republic was formed in Soviet times from the historical territories of the neighboring peoples of Kabarda and Balkaria, according to the principle a good neighbor is better than a distant relative. Since Kabardinians and Balkars are not related peoples, their languages belong to different language groups. The population of Kabardino-Balkaria over the past three years has been growing gradually, mainly due to natural growth.
general information
The republic is located on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus, in its central part. It adjoins such Russian regions as the Stavropol Territory, Karachay-Cherkessia and North Ossetia-Alania, in the south it borders with Georgia. It covers an area of 12, 500 sq. Km.
The population density of Kabardino-Balkaria is 69.43 people / km 2 (2018). She takes 10th place in this indicator in Russia. Residents live mostly in cities (Nalchik, Baksan, Prokhladny), on the plains and foothills, in an area located above 2500 meters above sea level, no one lives.
Republic formation
Two neighboring peoples, on a whim of the Soviet regime, existed first in one autonomous region (since 1922), and then as part of one autonomous republic (since 1936). Even the "epidemic of separation" after the collapse of the USSR could not destroy this union.
From 1944 to 1957, the republic was called the Kabardian ASSR, because the Balkars were deported to Kazakhstan and Central Asia. In 1956-1957, the decision on repressions against them was declared illegal. Balkarians were allowed to return to their homeland. The republic again became Kabardino-Balkaria, two Caucasian peoples again began to dominate the national composition of the population.
History of joining Russia
Even the history of joining Russia, the Kabardinians and Balkars are completely different. Kabardinians fought for their independence from 1763 to 1822. When Russian troops under the command of General Ermolov finally occupied the North Caucasus, according to some estimates, the population of Kabardino-Balkaria decreased from 300 to 30 thousand people. Most died in the battles, many died from the plague, others went to other regions of the Caucasus. Finally, most of Kabarda was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1825.
The Balkarians became part of Russia in 1827, having filed a petition from all their communities for joining the empire, subject to the preservation of ancient customs, the Muslim religion, and the estate structure. Since that time, amanats (hostages) from the Balkar nobility were in Russian fortresses, then many of them fought in the tsarist army.
