Republic of Adygea Республика Адыгея
Republic
Official titular nation transcription(s)
• Adyghe	Адыгэ Республик
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem: "Anthem of the Republic of Adygea" [2]
Coordinates: 44°39′N 40°00′E / 44.650°N 40.000°E / 44.650; 40.000
Country	Russia
Federal district[1]	Southern
Economic region[3]	North Caucasus
Capital	Maykop[4]
Government
• Type	State Council (Khase)[5]
• Head	Murat Kumpilov[5]
Area [6]
• Total	7,792 km2 (3,009 sq mi)
Population  (2021 Census)[7]
• Total	496,934 68% Russians 22.1% Adyghe 3.2% Ukrainians 2.4% Armenians 4.7% other
• Rank	75th
• Density	63.77/km2 (165.2/sq mi)
• Urban	49.4%
• Rural	50.6%
Time zone	UTC+3 (MSK[8])
ISO 3166 code	RU-AD
Vehicle registration	01
Official language(s)	Adyghe[9] • Russian[10]

The Republic of Adygea, (/ˌɑːdɪˈɡeɪə/)^[11][a] also known as the Adyghe Republic, is a republic of Russia. It is situated in the North Caucasus of Eastern Europe. The republic is a part of the Southern Federal District, and covers an area of 7,600 square kilometers (2,900 sq mi), with a population of roughly 496,934 residents.^[7] It is an enclave within Krasnodar Krai and is the fifth-smallest Russian federal subject by area. Maykop is the capital and the largest city of Adygea, home to one-third of the republic's population.

Adygea is one of Russia's ethnic republics, primarily representing the indigenous Circassian people that form 25% of the Republic's population, while Russians form a majority at 60%, and with minority populations of Armenians and Ukrainians. The official languages of Adygea are Adyghe and Russian.

History

The Cherkess (Adyghe) Autonomous Oblast was established within the Russian SFSR on July 27, 1922, on the territories of the Kuban-Black Sea Oblast, primarily settled by the Adyghe people.^[12] At that time, Krasnodar was the administrative center. It was renamed Adyghe (Cherkess) Autonomous Oblast on August 24, 1922, soon after its creation. In the first two years of its existence the autonomous oblast was a part of the Russian SFSR, but on October 17, 1924, it was transferred to the jurisdiction of the newly created North Caucasus Krai within the RSFSR.^[13]

It was renamed Adyghe Autonomous Oblast (AO) in July 1928. On January 10, 1934, the autonomous oblast became part of the new Azov-Black Sea Krai, which was removed from North Caucasus Krai. Maykop was made the administrative center of the autonomous oblast in 1936. Adyghe AO became part of Krasnodar Krai when it was established on September 13, 1937.

On July 3, 1991, the oblast was elevated to the status of a republic under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation.^[14] The first President of the republic was Aslan Dzharimov, elected on 5 January 1992.^[15]

Relations between the Adyghe and ethnic Russians in Adygea are currently good. Russians make up two-thirds of the population within Adygea.^[16] The current Head of Adygea is Murat Kumpilov.^[17]

Geography

Adygea lies in Russia's Southern Federal District of Eastern Europe, in the foothills of the Northwestern Caucasus in the Caucasus Mountains System, with plains in the northern areas and mountains in the southern area. Forests (mainly of European beech, oak, and maple) cover almost 40% of its territory.

• Area — 7,792 km² (3,009 sq mi).
• Borders — the Republic of Adygea is entirely surrounded by Krasnodar Krai.
• Highest point — Chugush Mountain: 3,238 m (10,623 ft).

Rivers

The 870-kilometer (540 mi) long Kuban River is one of the major navigable rivers in the Caucasus region. It forms part of the northern border between the Republic of Adygea and Krasnodar Krai.
Other rivers include:

• Belaya River
• Chokhrak River
• Dakh River
• Fars River
• Khodz River
• Kisha River
• Bolshaya Laba River — (forming part of the eastern border between Adygea and Krasnodar Krai)
• Psekups River
• Pshish River
• Sakhray River
• Sukhoy Kurdzhips River — flows near the archaeological site at Mezmaiskaya cave.^[18]

Lakes

The republic has no large lakes. However, the several large reservoirs include:

• Krasnodarskoye Reservoir
• Oktyabrskoye Reservoir
• Shapsugskoye Reservoir
• Tshchitskoye Reservoir

Mountains

The republic's major mountains and peaks range in height from 2,000–3,238 metres (6,562–10,623 ft), and include:

• Chugush Mountain — 3,238 m (10,623 ft)
• Mount Fisht — 2,868 m (9,409 ft)
• Oshten Mountain
• Pseashkho Mountain
• Shepsi Mountain

Natural resources

The republic is rich in oil and natural gas. Other natural resources include gold, silver, tungsten, and iron.

Climate

• Average January temperature: −0.5 °C (31.1 °F)
• Average July temperature: +23 °C (73 °F)
• Average annual precipitation: 70 centimeters (28 in)

February 15, 2010, recorded the absolute maximum for the winter months—in the capital, the city of Maykop, the temperature was 23.4 °C (74.1 °F).

Politics

The chief executive of the government of the Republic of Adygea is the Head (called "President" until May 2011), who is appointed for a five-year term. Proficiency in the Adyghe language is a prerequisite for the candidate.^[19]

The current Head, Murat Kumpilov (since January 27, 2017), succeeded Aslan Tkhakushinov, initially as acting Head of the region. There is also a directly elected State Council (Khase or Xase—not to be confused with the Adyghe Khase, a union of Adyghe who supported Sovmen for a second term), which comprises the Council of Representatives and the Council of the Republic. Both councils are elected every five years and have 27 deputies each.

The Republic sends three representatives to the parliament of the Russian Federation; one to the State Duma and the other two to the Federation Council.

The Constitution of the Republic of Adygea was adopted on May 14, 1995.

Divisions

The Republic of Adygea is administratively divided into seven districts (raions), two cities/towns, and (at a lower administrative level) five urban-type settlements. Municipally, the republic is divided into two urban okrugs, five urban settlements, and 46 rural settlements.

• Note "м.р." above is an abbreviation for "муниципальный район" (Municipal District)

Demographics

• Population: 496,934 (2021 Census);^[22] 439,996 (2010 Russian census);^[23] 447,109 (2002 Census);^[24] 432,588 (1989 Soviet census).^[25]

• Life expectancy:^[26][27]

• 
  Life expectancy at birth in Adygea
• 
  Life expectancy with calculated differences
• 
  Life expectancy in Adygea, Krasnodar Krai and neighboring regions
• 
  Zoomed version of the chart since 2014

Vital statistics

Source: Russian Federal State Statistics Service Archived April 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine^[28]