Altai Republic

Altai Republic
Республика Алтай (Russian)
Алтай Республика (Altay)
—  Republic  —

Flag
Coat of arms
Anthem: National Anthem of the Altai Republic
Coordinates: 50°55′N 86°55′E / 50.917°N 86.917°E / 50.917; 86.917Coordinates: 50°55′N 86°55′E / 50.917°N 86.917°E / 50.917; 86.917
Political status
Country Russia
Federal district Siberian[1]
Economic region West Siberian[2]
Established July 1, 1922
Capital Gorno-Altaysk[3]
Government (as of September 2010)
 • Head[4] Alexander Berdnikov[5]
 • Legislature State Assembly—El Kurultai[4]
Statistics
Area (as of the 2002 Census)[6]
 • Total 92,600 km2 (35,800 sq mi)
Area rank 35th
Population (2010 Census)[7]
 • Total 206,168
 • Rank 79th
 • Density[8] 2.23/km2 (5.8/sq mi)
 • Urban 27.6%
 • Rural 72.4%
Time zone(s) OMST (UTC+06:00)[9]
ISO 3166-2 RU-AL
License plates 04
Official languages Russian;[10] Altay[11]
Official website

Altai Republic (Russian: Респу́блика Алта́й, Respublika Altay; Altay: Алтай Республика, Altay Respublika[12]) is a federal subject of Russia (a republic). Its capital is the town of Gorno-Altaysk. The area of the republic is 92,600 square kilometers (35,800 sq mi). Population: 206,168 (2010 Census).[7]

History

Xiongnu Empire (209 BC-93 CE) governed the territory of the modern Altai Republic. The ethnicity of this empire is unclear; proposals by scholars include Turkic, Mongolic, Yeniseian,[13][14] Tocharian, Iranian,[15][16] and Uralic.[17] The southern part of the Altai Republic came under the Naiman Khanate. Territory of the modern Altai Republic has been ruled by the Mongolic Xianbei state (93-234), Rouran Khaganate (330-555), Mongol Empire (1206-1368), Golden Horde (1240-1502) and Zunghar Khanate (1634-1758).

The national autonomy for the Altai people was created on June 1, 1922 as Oyrot Autonomous Oblast (Ойро́тская автоно́мная о́бласть), part of Altai Krai. 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.

Geography

The Altai Republic is situated in the very center of Asia at the junction of the Siberian taiga, the steppes of Kazakhstan and the semi-deserts of Mongolia. Forests cover about 25% of the republic's territory.

Rivers and lakes

Katun River in the northern Altai Republic

More than 20,000 tributaries sprawl throughout the mountainous Republic, making for a total of more than 60,000 kilometers (37,000 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.[18]

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 kilometers (3.1 mi) wide, has an area of 230.8 square kilometers (89.1 sq mi), and has a maximum depth of 325 meters (1,066 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.[19] Lake Teletskoye alone contains more than 40 cubic kilometers (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.

Shavlo Lake in Northern Chuysky Range

Mountains

The most striking geographical aspect of the Republic of Altai is its mountainous terrain. The Republic is situated within the Russian 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.

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, 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.

Climate

Map of the Altai Republic

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 and Kosh-Agachsky Districts), is harsher than the climate of the less elevated northern areas.

Administrative divisions

The Altai Republic is administratively divided into ten districts and Gorno-Altaysk Urban Okrug. The districts are further subdivided into ninety-two rural settlements.

Demographics

Population: 206,168 (2010 Census);[7] 202,947 (2002 Census);[20] 191,649 (1989 Census).[21]

Vital statistics

Source: Russian Federal State Statistics Service[22][23]
Average population (x 1000) Live births Deaths Natural change Crude birth rate (per 1000) Crude death rate (per 1000) Natural change (per 1000) Fertility rates
1970 168 3,236 1,486 1,750 19.3 8.8 10.4
1975 170 3,805 1,724 2,081 22.4 10.1 12.2
1980 175 3,841 2,082 1,759 21.9 11.9 10.1
1985 185 4,256 2,097 2,159 23.0 11.3 11.7
1990 194 3,753 2,126 1,627 19.3 10.9 8.4 2,52
1991 196 3,579 2,064 1,515 18.2 10.5 7.7 2,41
1992 197 3,263 2,271 992 16.6 11.5 5.0 2,25
1993 197 2,878 2,630 248 14.6 13.4 1.3 2,00
1994 198 2,931 2,875 56 14.8 14.5 0.3 2,03
1995 199 2,853 2,637 216 14.3 13.2 1.1 1,93
1996 200 2,704 2,567 137 13.5 12.8 0.7 1,80
1997 200 2,686 2,547 139 13.4 12.7 0.7 1,77
1998 201 2,923 2,367 556 14.5 11.8 2.8 1,89
1999 202 2,742 2,536 206 13.6 12.6 1.0 1,74
2000 203 2,907 2,645 262 14.3 13.0 1.3 1,82
2001 203 3,033 2,870 163 14.9 14.1 0.8 1,87
2002 203 3,252 3,061 191 16.0 15.1 0.9 1,98
2003 203 3,392 3,173 219 16.7 15.7 1.1 2,04
2004 202 3,513 3,015 498 17.4 14.9 2.5 2,08
2005 202 3,502 3,170 332 17.3 15.7 1.6 2,03
2006 202 3,395 2,837 558 16.8 14.1 2.8 1,93
2007 202 4,066 2,574 1,492 20.1 12.7 7.4 2,29
2008 203 4,442 2,549 1,893 21.9 12.5 9.3 2,48
2009 204 4,266 2,492 1,774 20.9 12.2 8.7 2,48
2010 206 4,224 2,508 1,716 20.6 12.2 8.3 2,48
2011 207 4,719 2,529 2,190 22.7 12.2 10.5 2,84
2012 209 4,693 2,416 2,277 22.4 11.5 10.9 2,91
2013 211 4,442 2,392 2,027 21.1 11.3 9.8 2,82
2014 213 4,404 2,365 2,039 20.7 11.1 9.6 2,88
2015 214 4,022 2,347 1,675 18.7 10.9 7.8 2,66(e)

Ethnic groups

As per the 2010 Census,[7] ethnic Russians make up 56.6% of the republic's population, with the ethnic Altai people numbering only 34.5%. Other groups include Kazakhs (6.2%), Germans (700 or 0.3%) and a host of smaller groups, each accounting for less than 0.5% of the total population.

Ethnic
group		 1926 Census 1939 Census 1959 Census 1970 Census 1979 Census 1989 Census 2002 Census 2010 Census4
Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number %
Altay 42,2131 42.4% 39,285 24.2% 38,019 24.2% 46,750 27.8% 50,203 29.2% 59,130 31.0% 68,0272 33.6% 69,9633 34.5%
Russians 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 57.5% 114,802 56.6%
Kazakhs 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% 12,524 6.2%
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% 5,914 2.9% 5,447 2.7%
  1. including 3,414 Telengits, 1,384 Kumandins and 344 Teleuts
  2. including 2,368 Telengits, 1,533 Tubalars, 931 Kumandins, 830 Chelkans, 141 Shors and 32 Teleuts
  3. including 3,648 Telengits, 1,891 Tubalars, 1,062 Kumandins, 1,113 Chelkans and 87 Shors
  4. 3,432 people were registered from administrative databases, and could not declare an ethnicity. It is estimated that the proportion of ethnicities in this group is the same as that of the declared group.[24]

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 Berdnikov, 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.

Economy

The Altai Republic is a highly agricultural region. However, it does have some industry which includes foodstuffs, non-ferrous metallurgy, chemicals, gold 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

Altai Republic is one of few Russian political division without rail access. The main paved road is the Chuysky Tract, which spans the republic from the capital Gorno-Altaisk in the north to the Mongolian border in the south. The republic’s main paved road threads its way through the rugged Altai Mountains. A system of taxis and buses transports people between settlements. Within the settlements, people generally walk or ride horses.

Helicopters are used for emergency transportation, to supply remote government outposts, and by wealthy tourists. In 2012 runway capacity at the Gorno-Altaysk Airport near the republic’s capital was doubled. In June that year, S7 Airlines started direct flights from Moscow. Prior to that, people used to fly through Barnaul in Altai Krai, or Novosibirsk.[25]

Tourism

A VOA reporter tours the Altai region in 2012.

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, 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 Republic include Lake Aiya (a popular bathing spot), and the picturesque Chemal region. More adventurous travelers may wish to visit the more remote Lake Teletskoye or Mount Belukha in the south.

Education

There is one university (Gorno-Altaisk State University), twelve colleges, and 205 secondary schools in the republic.

Religion

Religion in Altay (2012)[26][27]

  Russian Orthodox (27.6%)
  Neopagan and Tengrist (13%)
  Muslim (6%)
  Unaffiliated Christian (3%)
  Hinduism (2%)
  Old Believers (1%)
  Protestantism (1%)
  Spiritual but not religious (25%)
  Atheist and not religious (14%)
  Other and undeclared (7.4%)

Different religions are present in Altay. According to a 2012 official survey[26] 27.6% of the population adheres to the Russian Orthodox Church. The second most popular religions are ethnic and nature religions, namely Rodnovery (Slavic native faith), Tengrism (Central Asians' native faith) and Burkhanism, constituting altogether 13% of the population. 6% of the population follows Islam, 2% Hinduism (including Slavic-Vedic, Krishnaite and Tantric movements), 1% are Old Believers and 1% Protestants. 25% of the population is "spiritual but not religious", 14% is atheist and 7.4% follows other religions or did not answer to the question.[26]

The traditional religion of the native Altaians is Tengrist shamanism, revived by modern Tengrist movements and Burkhanism. Ethnic Russians primarily practice Russian Orthodox Christianity and Rodnovery (Slavic native faith), but also Hinduism, 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 Pagan and Hindu followers often go on pilgrimages to Mount Belukha, which is considered to be the location of Shambhala both by some Pagans 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 shamanic religions are known to tie white ribbons to nearby trees and leave offerings of coins or food to the spirits.[28] 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

The indigenous Altai culture holds the lands of Altai to be sacred. The indigenous (Turkic) languages are focused on the stewardship of the lands. The Altai oral history is transmitted by throat-singers. The Altai culture was repressed during Soviet times, and has been rebounding since then. The clans of all ten regions gather in the village of Yelo for a biennial cultural celebration.

There is also a large contingent of "Old Believers" who fled to Altai when they split from the Russian Orthodox Church about 200 years ago. They were taken in by the Altai people, and are now integrated into the fabric of Altai culture.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site "Golden Mountains" protects the Ukok Plateau, on which there are many standing stones and kurgans. Although archaeologists consider kurgans to be burial sites, the indigenous people believe that they are highly refined magnetic instruments for directing the flow of cosmic energy into the Earth. Thus, there is great local indignation about the excavation and removal of the Siberian Ice Maiden, an extraordinary 2,500-year-old mummy that had been preserved in permafrost.

Gorno-Altaisk is the location of National Museum of Altai Republic, which houses the mummy "Altai Princess". National Library of the Republic of Altai, the National Theatre of the Republic of Altai and Municipal House of Culture

Regularly held national holiday Maslenitsa, Nowruz, Chaga - Bayram, received in February 2013 with the official status of the Republican celebration.

In 2013, the Altai Republic participated in the Türkvizyon Song Contest. The Altai Republic's entry was the song "Altayym Menin" performed by Artur Marlujokov. The Altai Republic received fifth place in the contest. The republic has also announced plans to compete in the 2014 Türkvizyon Song Contest.

Notable people

See also

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Президент Российской Федерации. Указ №849 от 13 мая 2000 г. «О полномочном представителе Президента Российской Федерации в федеральном округе». Вступил в силу 13 мая 2000 г. Опубликован: "Собрание законодательства РФ", №20, ст. 2112, 15 мая 2000 г. (President of the Russian Federation. Decree #849 of May 13, 2000 On the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in a Federal District. Effective as of May 13, 2000.).
  2. ↑ Госстандарт Российской Федерации. №ОК 024-95 27 декабря 1995 г. «Общероссийский классификатор экономических регионов. 2. Экономические районы», в ред. Изменения №5/2001 ОКЭР. (Gosstandart of the Russian Federation. #OK 024-95 December 27, 1995 Russian Classification of Economic Regions. 2. Economic Regions, as amended by the Amendment #5/2001 OKER. ).
  3. ↑ Official website of the Altai Republic
  4. 1 2 Constitution, Article 8
  5. ↑ Official website of the Altai Republic. Biography of Alexander Vasilyevich Berdnikov
  6. ↑ Федеральная служба государственной статистики (Federal State Statistics Service) (2004-05-21). "Территория, число районов, населённых пунктов и сельских администраций по субъектам Российской Федерации (Territory, Number of Districts, Inhabited Localities, and Rural Administration by Federal Subjects of the Russian Federation)". Всероссийская перепись населения 2002 года (All-Russia Population Census of 2002) (in Russian). Federal State Statistics Service. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Russian Federal State Statistics Service (2011). "Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года. Том 1" [2010 All-Russian Population Census, vol. 1]. Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года (2010 All-Russia Population Census) (in Russian). Federal State Statistics Service. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  8. ↑ The density value was calculated by dividing the population reported by the 2010 Census by the area shown in the "Area" field. Please note that this value may not be accurate as the area specified in the infobox is not necessarily reported for the same year as the population.
  9. ↑ Правительство Российской Федерации. Федеральный закон №107-ФЗ от 3 июня 2011 г. «Об исчислении времени», в ред. Федерального закона №248-ФЗ от 21 июля 2014 г. «О внесении изменений в Федеральный закон "Об исчислении времени"». Вступил в силу по истечении шестидесяти дней после дня официального опубликования (6 августа 2011 г.). Опубликован: "Российская газета", №120, 6 июня 2011 г. (Government of the Russian Federation. Federal Law #107-FZ of June 31, 2011 On Calculating Time, as amended by the Federal Law #248-FZ of July 21, 2014 On Amending Federal Law "On Calculating Time". Effective as of after sixty days following the day of the official publication.).
  10. ↑ Official on the whole territory of Russia according to Article 68.1 of the Constitution of Russia.
  11. ↑ Constitution, Article 13
  12. ↑ Name used in internal passports according to law ПОСТАНОВЛЕНИЕ Правительства Республики Алтай от 17.07.2001 N 208 "О ТИПОВОМ ОБРАЗЦЕ БЛАНКА-ВКЛАДЫША РЕСПУБЛИКИ АЛТАЙ К БЛАНКУ ПАСПОРТА ГРАЖДАНИНА РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ"
  13. ↑ Adas 2001: 88
  14. ↑ Beckwith 2009: 404-405, nn. 51-52.
  15. ↑ Harmatta 1999: 488
  16. ↑ Jankowski 2006: 27
  17. ↑ Di Cosmo, 2004, pg 166
  18. ↑ http://www.altaiassistanceproject.org/travelenmek.html
  19. ↑ http://www.engg.ksu.edu/CHSR/international/altai/
  20. ↑ Russian Federal State Statistics Service (May 21, 2004). "Численность населения России, субъектов Российской Федерации в составе федеральных округов, районов, городских поселений, сельских населённых пунктов – районных центров и сельских населённых пунктов с населением 3 тысячи и более человек" [Population of Russia, Its Federal Districts, Federal Subjects, Districts, Urban Localities, Rural Localities—Administrative Centers, and Rural Localities with Population of Over 3,000] (XLS). Всероссийская перепись населения 2002 года [All-Russia Population Census of 2002] (in Russian). Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  21. ↑ Demoscope Weekly (1989). "Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 г. Численность наличного населения союзных и автономных республик, автономных областей и округов, краёв, областей, районов, городских поселений и сёл-райцентров" [All Union Population Census of 1989: Present Population of Union and Autonomous Republics, Autonomous Oblasts and Okrugs, Krais, Oblasts, Districts, Urban Settlements, and Villages Serving as District Administrative Centers]. Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 года [All-Union Population Census of 1989] (in Russian). Институт демографии Национального исследовательского университета: Высшая школа экономики [Institute of Demography at the National Research University: Higher School of Economics]. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  22. ↑ БГД. Gks.ru. Retrieved on 2013-08-20.
  23. ↑ Каталог публикаций::Федеральная служба государственной статистики. Gks.ru (2010-05-08). Retrieved on 2013-08-20.
  24. ↑ Перепись-2010: русских становится больше. Perepis-2010.ru (2011-12-19). Retrieved on 2013-08-20.
  25. ↑ Altai Republic slowly opening up to outside world
  26. 1 2 3 Arena - Atlas of Religions and Nationalities in Russia. Sreda.org
  27. ↑ 2012 Survey Maps. "Ogonek", № 34 (5243), 27/08/2012. Retrieved 24-09-2012.
  28. ↑ Archived September 5, 2006 at the Wayback Machine

Sources

External links

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