The Karachayevo-Cherkessian Republic

The republic is located in the mountainous foothills of the north-western Caucasus. The republic borders with Krasnodar Region in the west, Stavropol Region in the north and north-east, and Kabardino-Balkar Republic in the east. The southern border is with Georgia and Abkhazia and it goes along the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range.

The climate is moderate. Winter is short. Summer is warm, long and humid enough. Long solar days are typical for this climate. The average temperature of January is -3.2°C, the average temperature of July is +20.6°C. The temperature maximum is +39°C, and the temperature minimum is - 29°C.

The dominating terrain feature is as follows: most part of the republic land is covered with mountains (about 80%). The Peredovye ("Front") Ranges of the Great Caucasus are in the North. The Vodorazdelny ("Dividing") and Bokovoy ("Lateral") Ranges of Great Caucasus are in the South, beginning from headwaters of the Malaya Laba River. The height of these ranges is up to 4000 meters. The highest point of the Caucasus mountains, Elbrus, is on the border with Kabardino-Balkar Republic. The seaside of the Black Sea can be reached over the range through Marukhsky and Klikhorsky Mountain Crossings. The Skalisty and Pastbishchny Mountain Ranges are to the north of them. As for river basins, lakes, and water storages, the republic is rich in water supplies. There are about 130 high-altitude lakes of glacial origin, and a lot of mountain waterfalls. About 172 small and big rivers flow through the republic. The Kuban River, Bolshoy ("Big") and Maly ("Little") Zelenchuk Rivers, Urup River, and Laba River are the biggest of them. The Great Stavropol Channel was built in the republic. The channel system is in operation, and it is the main water source of Stavropol Region.

The republic area is 14,100 sq km.

The population of the republic is estimated to be 436 300 people as of January 1, 2000. The republic is multiethnic. Representatives of 108 ethnic groups live here. The largest groups are the following: Russians (42.4 %), Karachays (31.2%), Cherkes (9.7%), Abazins (6.6%), and Nogais (3.2%). Urban population makes up 44.2% of the total population. Population density is 30.5 persons per square kilometer.

Transportation: 50 km of railroads, 1639 km of public roads, 436 km of federal roads.