Kabardino-Balkar Republic (Kabardino-Balkaria): A constituent republic of the Russian Federation, located in the northern Caucasus. It consists of two ethnic territories, one predominantly Kabardinian (speakers of a Caucasian language) and the other predominantly Balkar (speakers of a Turkic language). There is also a significant Russian population.
- Area: 12.5 thousand sq. km.;
- Population: 715,000, incl. 304,000 Kabardins, 60,000 Balkars[?], and 234,000 Russians.
- Economy: Primarily agricultural, with lumbering and mining. Most industry centers on agricultural processing.
- Capital: Nal'chik (Tirniauz serves as the administrative center for Balkaria)
- Recent History: The Kabardinian lands have been part of Russia since 1557; Balkaria was annexed in 1827. In 1921, with the emergence of the Soviet Union, the territories were organized into the Kabardinian Autonomous Oblast. The region’s name was changed to the Kabardino-Balkar Autonomous Oblast the following year, and in 1936 it was elevated to the status of an Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1943, Stalin accused the Balkars of collaborating with Nazi Germany and deported the entire population. The territory was renamed the Kabardinian ASSR until 1957, when the Balkar population was allowed to return and its name was restored.