Tatarstan

Lore & Background

The earliest known organised state within the boundaries of Tatarstan was Volga Bulgaria, which adopted Islam in 922. This is celebrated yearly in the city of Bolgar. Other historical predecessors of Tatarstan include the Golden Horde and the Khanate of Kazan, before ultimately being conquered by Russia. In 1920, the modern Tatar state, known as the Tatar ASSR, was founded as an autonomous republic of the Russian SFSR. It was renamed the Republic of Tatarstan in 1992 and became a federal subject of Russia.

Reader's Guide

The official languages of the republic are Tatar and Russian. The head of Tatarstan is Rustam Minnihanov. Religious leaders include the mufti Kamil Samigullin and the metropolitan bishop Cyril Nakonechny. The republic is located in the centre of the East European Plain, approximately 800 km east of Moscow. It lies between the Volga River and the Kama River (a tributary of the Volga), and extends east to the Ural Mountains. Major rivers include the Volga, Kama, Vyatka, Belaya, Ik, Kazanka, Zay, and Azevka. Major reservoirs include Kuybyshev Reservoir, Lower Kama Reservoir, and Zainsk Reservoir. The biggest lake is Kaban. The biggest swamp is Kulyagash. Hills include Bugulma-Belebey Upland, Volga Upland, and Vyatskiye Uvaly. Natural resources include oil, natural gas, and gypsum. Climate: average January temperature -15°C, average July temperature +18°C, average annual temperature +4°C, average annual precipitation up to 500 to 550 mm.

Did You Know?

• The earliest known organised state within the boundaries of Tatarstan was Volga Bulgaria, which adopted Islam in 922.
• Tatarstan's area is 68000 km2, occupying 0.4% of the total surface of the country.
• The republic's main source of wealth is oil with a strong petrochemical industry.
• The Volga-Kama Nature Reserve is situated in Tatarstan.