Kabardino-Balkaria (), officially the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, is a republic of Russia located in the North Caucasus. As of the 2021 Census, its population was 904,200. Its capital is Nalchik. The area contains the highest mountain in Europe, Mount Elbrus, at . Mount Elbrus has 22 glaciers that feed three rivers — Baksan, Malka and Kuban. The mountain is covered with snow year-round.

Geography

The republic is situated in the North Caucasus mountains, with plains in the northern part. The republic shares an international border with Georgia.

  • Area:
  • Borders:
  • internal: Stavropol Krai (N/NE), North Ossetia–Alania (E/SE/S), Karachay–Cherkessia (W/NW)
  • international: Georgia (Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Zemo Svaneti) (S/SW)
  • Highest point: Mount Elbrus (5,642 m)
  • Maximum N->S distance:
  • Maximum E->W distance:

<!--*Average elevation: no data-->

Kabardino-Balkaria is traversed by the northeasterly line of equal latitude and longitude.

Rivers

Major rivers include:

  • Terek River (623&nbsp;km)
  • Malka River (216&nbsp;km)
  • Baksan River (173&nbsp;km)
  • Urukh River (104&nbsp;km)
  • Chegem River (102&nbsp;km)
  • Cherek River (76&nbsp;km)
  • Argudan River
  • Kurkuzhin River
  • Lesken River

Lakes

There are about 100 lakes in the Republic, none of which is large. Just over half (55) are located between the Baksan and Malka rivers. Some of the lakes are:

  • Tserikkel Lake (area 26,000&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>; depth 368&nbsp;m)
  • Lower Goluboye Lake
  • Kel-Ketchen Lake (depth 177&nbsp;m)
  • Upper Tserikkel Lake (depth 18&nbsp;m)
  • Sekretnoye Lake
  • Tambukan Lake (area 1.77&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>; depth 1.5 to 2&nbsp;m), partially within Stavropol Krai.

Mountains

  • Mount Elbrus (5,642&nbsp;m), a volcanic mountain and the highest peak in Europe, Russia, and the Caucasus

Other major mountains include:

  • Mount Dykhtau (5,402&nbsp;m)
  • Mount Koshtantau (5,151&nbsp;m)
  • Mount Shkhara (5,068&nbsp;m)
  • Pushkin Peak (5,033&nbsp;m)
  • Mount Mizhergi (5,025&nbsp;m)

Natural resources

Kabardino-Balkaria's natural resources include molybdenum, tungsten, and coal.

Climate

The republic has a continental-type climate.

  • Average January temperature: (mountains) to (plains)
  • Average July temperature: (mountains) to (plains)
  • Average annual precipitation: 500–2,000&nbsp;mm.

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 kingdom 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. From 1295 to around 1427, it was governed by the Georgians. In the early 15th century, the area became part of a unified Circassian Kingdom, 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. 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. 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

thumb|Map of the republic

<gallery>

File:Абай къала.jpg|Cherek-Balkarskaya gorge

File:Dykhtau.jpg|Mount Dykh-Tau

File:ГКХ во второй половине дня.jpg|Prielbrusye

File:Тызыльская теснина.jpg|Tyzyl Gorge

</gallery>

Demographics

Population:

thumb|250px|Life expectancy at birth in Kabardino-Balkaria

Life expectancy:

{|style="text-align: center;"

!

! style="width:7em;"|2019

! style="width:7em;"|2021

|-

| style="text-align: left;"|Average:

| 76.5 years

| 73.8 years

|-

| style="text-align: left;"|Male:

| 72.6 years

| 69.9 years

|-

| style="text-align: left;"|Female:

| 79.9 years

| 77.3 years

|}

Vital statistics

:Source:

{| class="wikitable"

|-

!

! width="70pt"|Average population (x 1000)

! width="70pt"|Live births

! width="70pt"|Deaths

! width="70pt"|Natural change

! width="70pt"|Crude birth rate (per 1000)

! width="70pt"|Crude death rate (per 1000)

! width="70pt"|Natural change (per 1000)

! width="70pt"|Fertility rates

|-

| 1970

| align="right" | 592

| align="right" | 11,683

| align="right" | 3,913

| align="right" | 7,770

| align="right" | 19.7

| align="right" | 6.6

| align="right" | 13.1

|-

| 1975

| align="right" | 634

| align="right" | 12,315

| align="right" | 4,717

| align="right" | 7,598

| align="right" | 19.4

| align="right" | 7.4

| align="right" | 12.0

|-

| 1980

| align="right" | 680

| align="right" | 14,098

| align="right" | 5,457

| align="right" | 8,641

| align="right" | 20.7

| align="right" | 8.0

| align="right" | 12.7

|-

| 1985

| align="right" | 725

| align="right" | 15,941

| align="right" | 5,854

| align="right" | 10,087

| align="right" | 22.0

| align="right" | 8.1

| align="right" | 13.9

|-

| 1990

| align="right" | 772

| align="right" | 15,412

| align="right" | 6,573

| align="right" | 8,839

| align="right" | 20.0

| align="right" | 8.5

| align="right" | 11.5

| align="right" style="color: blue" | 2.45

|-

| 1991

| align="right" | 788

| align="right" | 14,952

| align="right" | 6,995

| align="right" | 7,957

| align="right" | 19.0

| align="right" | 8.9

| align="right" | 10.1

| align="right" style="color: blue" | 2.35

|-

| 1992

| align="right" | 799

| align="right" | 13,728

| align="right" | 7,093

| align="right" | 6,635

| align="right" | 17.2

| align="right" | 8.9

| align="right" | 8.3

| align="right" style="color: blue" | 2.16

|-

| 1993

| align="right" | 807

| align="right" | 11,781

| align="right" | 7,864

| align="right" | 3,917

| align="right" | 14.6

| align="right" | 9.7

| align="right" | 4.9

| align="right" | 1.86

|-

| 1994

| align="right" | 816

| align="right" | 11,407

| align="right" | 8,052

| align="right" | 3,355

| align="right" | 14.0

| align="right" | 9.9

| align="right" | 4.1

| align="right" | 1.79

|-

| 1995

| align="right" | 828

| align="right" | 10,844

| align="right" | 8,236

| align="right" | 2,608

| align="right" | 13.1

| align="right" | 9.9

| align="right" | 3.2

| align="right" | 1.67

|-

| 1996

| align="right" | 840

| align="right" | 10,293

| align="right" | 8,199

| align="right" | 2,094

| align="right" | 12.2

| align="right" | 9.8

| align="right" | 2.5

| align="right" | 1.56

|-

| 1997

| align="right" | 853

| align="right" | 10,016

| align="right" | 7,985

| align="right" | 2,031

| align="right" | 11.7

| align="right" | 9.4

| align="right" | 2.4

| align="right" | 1.47

|-

| 1998

| align="right" | 866

| align="right" | 9,997

| align="right" | 8,201

| align="right" | 1,796

| align="right" | 11.5

| align="right" | 9.5

| align="right" | 2.1

| align="right" | 1.44

|-

| 1999

| align="right" | 875

| align="right" | 9,221

| align="right" | 8,292

| align="right" | 929

| align="right" | 10.5

| align="right" | 9.5

| align="right" | 1.1

| align="right" | 1.30

|-

| 2000

| align="right" | 883

| align="right" | 9,207

| align="right" | 8,792

| align="right" | 415

| align="right" | 10.4

| align="right" | 10.0

| align="right" | 0.5

| align="right" | 1.26

|-

| 2001

| align="right" | 891

| align="right" | 8,892

| align="right" | 8,778

| align="right" | 114

| align="right" | 10.0

| align="right" | 9.9

| align="right" | 0.1

| align="right" | 1.19

|-

| 2002

| align="right" | 897

| align="right" | 9,119

| align="right" | 8,954

| align="right" | 165

| align="right" | 10.2

| align="right" | 10.0

| align="right" | 0.2

| align="right" | 1.20

|-

| 2003

| align="right" | 896

| align="right" | 9,294

| align="right" | 9,202

| align="right" | 92

| align="right" | 10.4

| align="right" | 10.3

| align="right" | 0.1

| align="right" | 1.20

|-

| 2004

| align="right" | 889

| align="right" | 9,414

| align="right" | 8,695

| align="right" | 719

| align="right" | 10.6

| align="right" | 9.8

| align="right" | 0.8

| align="right" | 1.22

|-

| 2005

| align="right" | 882

| align="right" | 8,991

| align="right" | 9,034

| align="right" style="color: red"|- 43

| align="right" | 10.2

| align="right" | 10.2

| align="right" style="color: red"| -0.0

| align="right" style="color: red"| 1.13

|-

| 2006

| align="right" | 875

| align="right" | 9,308

| align="right" | 8,764

| align="right" | 544

| align="right" | 10.6

| align="right" | 10.0

| align="right" | 0.6

| align="right" | 1.16

|-

| 2007

| align="right" | 870

| align="right" | 11,397

| align="right" | 8,441

| align="right" | 2,956

| align="right" | 13.1

| align="right" | 9.7

| align="right" | 3.4

| align="right" | 1.41

|-

| 2008

| align="right" | 866

| align="right" | 12,052

| align="right" | 8,095

| align="right" | 3,957

| align="right" | 13.9

| align="right" | 9.3

| align="right" | 4.6

| align="right" | 1.49

|-

| 2009

| align="right" | 863

| align="right" | 12,143

| align="right" | 8,406

| align="right" | 3,737

| align="right" | 14.1

| align="right" | 9.7

| align="right" | 4.3

| align="right" | 1.62

|-

| 2010

| align="right" | 860

| align="right" | 12,576

| align="right" | 8,080

| align="right" | 4,496

| align="right" | 14.6

| align="right" | 9.4

| align="right" | 5.2

| align="right" | 1.66

|-

| 2011

| align="right" | 860

| align="right" | 12,848

| align="right" | 8,136

| align="right" | 4,712

| align="right" | 14.9

| align="right" | 9.4

| align="right" | 5.5

| align="right" | 1.70

|-

| 2012

| align="right" | 859

| align="right" | 13,786

| align="right" | 7,709

| align="right" | 6,077

| align="right" | 16.0

| align="right" | 9.0

| align="right" | 7.0

| align="right" | 1.83

|-

| 2013

| align="right" | 859

| align="right" | 13,365

| align="right" | 7,712

| align="right" | 5,653

| align="right" | 15.6

| align="right" | 9.0

| align="right" | 6.6

| align="right" | 1.80

|-

| 2014

| align="right" | 860

| align="right" | 13,397

| align="right" | 7,571

| align="right" | 5,826

| align="right" | 15.6

| align="right" | 8.8

| align="right" | 6.8

| align="right" | 1.83

|-

| 2015

| align="right" | 861

| align="right" | 12,627

| align="right" | 7,582

| align="right" | 5,045

| align="right" | 14.6

| align="right" | 8.8

| align="right" | 5.8

| align="right" | 1.75

|-

| 2016

| align="right" | 863

| align="right" | 12,191

| align="right" | 7,386

| align="right" | 4,805

| align="right" | 14.1

| align="right" | 8.5

| align="right" | 5.6

| align="right" | 1.72

|-

| 2017

| align="right" | 865

| align="right" | 11,092

| align="right" | 7,391

| align="right" | 3,701

| align="right" | 12.8

| align="right" | 8.5

| align="right" | 4.3

| align="right" | 1.61

|-

| 2018

| align="right" | 865

| align="right" | 10,881

| align="right" | 7,044

| align="right" | 3,837

| align="right" | 12.5

| align="right" | 8.1

| align="right" | 4.4

| align="right" | 1.61

|-

| 2019

| align="right" | 866

| align="right" | 9,973

| align="right" | 7,142

| align="right" | 2,831

| align="right" | 11.5

| align="right" | 8.2

| align="right" | 3.3

| align="right" | 1.51

|-

| 2020

| align="right" |

| align="right" | 10,604

| align="right" | 8,624

| align="right" | 1,980

| align="right" | 12.2

| align="right" | 9.9

| align="right" | 2.3

| align="right" | 1.64

|-

| 2021

| align="right" |

| align="right" | 10,462

| align="right" | 9,436

| align="right" | 1,026

| align="right" | 12.0

| align="right" | 10.8

| align="right" | 1.2

| align="right" | 1.67

|-

| 2022

| align="right" |

| align="right" | 10,049

| align="right" | 8,010

| align="right" | 2,039

| align="right" | 11.5

| align="right" | 9.2

| align="right" | 2.3

| align="right" | 1.51

|-

| 2023

| align="right" |

| align="right" | 9,941

| align="right" | 6,827

| align="right" | 3,114

| align="right" | 11.0

| align="right" | 7.5

| align="right" | 3.5

| align="right" | 1.53

|-

| 2024

| align="right" |

| align="right" | 10,180

| align="right" | 6,963

| align="right" | 3,217

| align="right" | 11.2

| align="right" | 7.7

| align="right" | 3.5

| align="right" | 1.61

|}

Note: TFR 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 source.

<!--*Average life expectancy: no data-->

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.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: right;"

|-bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! rowspan="2" | Ethnic<br />group

! colspan="2" | 1926 Census<sup>1</sup>

! colspan="2" | 1939 Census

! colspan="2" | 1959 Census

! colspan="2" | 1970 Census

! colspan="2" | 1979 Census

! colspan="2" | 1989 Census

! colspan="2" | 2002 Census

! colspan="2" | 2010 Census

! colspan="2" | 2021 Census<sup>3</sup>

|-bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! Number

! %

! Number

! %

! Number

! %

! Number

! %

! Number

! %

! Number

! %

! Number

! %

! Number

! %

! Number

! %

|-

| align="left"| Kabardin

| 122,237

|54.2%

| 152,237

|42.4%

| 190,284

|45.3%

| 264,675

|45.0%

| 303,604

|45.5%

| 364,494

|48.2%

| 498,702<sup>2</sup>

|55.3%

| 490,453

|57.2%

| 502,615

|57.1%

|-

| align="left"| Balkars

| 33,197

|14.7%

| 40,747

|11.3%

| 34,088

|8.1%

| 51,356

|8.7%

| 59,710

|9.0%

| 70,793

|9.4%

| 104,951

|11.6%

| 108,577

|12.7%

| 120,898

|13.7%

|-

|align="left"| Russians

| 32,622

|14.5%

| 129,067

|35.9%

| 162,586

|38.7%

| 218,595

|37.2%

| 234,137

|35.1%

| 240,750

|31.9%

| 226,620

|25.1%

| 193,155

|22.5%

| 174,768

|19.8%

|-

|align="left"| Ossetians

| 3,839

|1.7%

| 4,608

|1.3%

| 6,442

|1.5%

| 9,167

|1.6%

| 9,710

|1.5%

| 9,996

|1.3%

| 9,845

|1.1%

| 9,129

|1.1%

| 6,877

|0.8%

|-

| align="left"| Ukrainians

| 24,723

|11.0%

| 11,142

|3.1%

| 8,400

|2.0%

| 10,620

|1.8%

| 12,139

|1.8%

| 12,826

|1.7%

| 7,592

|0.8%

| 4,800

|0.6%

| 1,461

|0.2%

|-

| align="left"| Cherkess

| rowspan="2"| 8,803

|rowspan="2"| 3.9%

| rowspan="2"| 21,328

|rowspan="2"| 5.9%

| rowspan="2"| 18,315

|rowspan="2"| 4.4%

| rowspan="2"| 33,790

|rowspan="2"| 5.7%

| rowspan="2"| 47,246

|rowspan="2"| 7.1%

| 614

|0.1%

| 725

|0.1%

| 2,475

|0.3%

| 26,544

|3.0%

|-

|align="left"| Others

| 55,058

|7.3%

| 53,059

|5.9%

| 49,081

|5.7%

| 47,748

|5.7%

|-

|align="left" colspan="19"| <sup>1</sup> <small> The results of the 1926 census refer to the present territory, which is a combination of the Kabardo-Balkarian AO and a part of the Terek district. The latter area was mainly inhabited by Russians and Ukrainians.</small>

<sup>2</sup> <small>In view of the results of the 1989 census and the 2010 census, the number of Kabardins in 2002 seems unlikely high.</small><br>

<sup>3</sup> <small>23,289 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.</small>

|}

<gallery>

File:Верхняя Балкария. Мечеть..jpg|Mosque in Kabardino-Balkaria

File:Catholic church in Blagoveschenka, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia.jpg|Catholic church in Kabardino-Balkaria (Diocese of Saratov, Blagoveshchenka)

File:1936 год. Жабоев М. из селения Нижний Хулам за игрой в "Сыбызгы", на празднике в честь 15 -летия Кабардино-Балкарии.jpg|Balkars in 1936

File:Beslan Mudranov 01.jpg|Kabardian wrestler Beslan Mudranov won Russia's first gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics

</gallery>

Religion

According to a 2012 survey which interviewed 56,900 people,