Mordovia

The Republic of Mordovia (Russian: Респу́блика Мордо́вия, Mordvinian: Мордовскяй Республикась) is a federal subject of Russia (a republic). The direct transliteration of the republic's name is Respublika Mordoviya.

Geography

The Republic is located in the eastern part of the East European Plain of the Russian Federation. Western part of the republic is situated in the Oka Don Plain; its eastern and central parts—in the Volga Elevation.

• Area: 26,200 km².
• Borders:
  • internal: Nizhny Novgorod Oblast (N), Chuvashia (NE/E), Ulyanovsk Oblast (E/SE), Penza Oblast (S/SW), Ryazan Oblast (W/NW)
• Highest point: 324 m (crossing of the road from Bolshoy Maresev with the roads to Mokshaley, Pyaigiley, and Picheury)

Time zone

Mordovia is located in the Moscow Time Zone (MSK/MSD). UTC offset is +0300 (MSK)/+0400 (MSD).

Rivers

There are 114 rivers in Mordovia. Major rivers include:

• Alatyr River
• Issa River
• Moksha River
• Satis River
• Sivin River
• Sura River
• Vad River

Lakes

There are approximately 500 lakes in Mordovia.

Natural Resources

Natural resources include peat, mineral waters, and other.

Climate

Climate is moderately continental.

• Average January temperature: −11°C
• Average July temperature: +19°C
• Average annual precipitation: ~500 mm

Administrative division

Main article: Administrative division of Mordovia

Demographics

The Mordvin people are a Finnic group speaking two related languages, Moksha and Erzya, both considered to be dialects of the Mordvinian language.

• Population: 888,766 (2002)
  • Urban: 531,478 (59.8%)
  • Rural: 357,288 (40.2%)
  • Male: 408,556 (46.0%)
  • Female: 480,210 (54.0%)
• Females per 1000 males: 1,175
• Average age: 38.7 years
  • Urban: 36.8 years
  • Rural: 41.3 years
  • Male: 35.9 years
  • Female: 41.2 years
• Number of households: 332,995 (with 866,749 people)
  • Urban: 197,923 (with 525,808 people)
  • Rural: 135,072 (with 340,941 people)

History

Mordvinian National Okrug was established on July 16, 1928. On January 10 it was transformed into Mordvinian Autonomous Oblast, then, on December 20, 1934, into Mordvinian ASSR. The Republic of Mordovia in its present form exists since January 25, 1994.

Politics

The head of government in the Republic of Mordovia is the Head of the Republic. As of 2004, the head of the republic is Nikolay Ivanovich Merkushkin, who was elected in February of 1998.

Economy

The most developed industries are machine building, chemical, woodworking, and food industries. Most of the industrial enterprises are located in the capital Saransk, as well as in the towns of Kovylkino and Ruzayevka, and in the urban settlements of Chamzinka and Komsomolsky.

Culture

There are many museums in Mordovia. The largest ones include the Mordovian Republican United Museum of Regional Studies and the Museum of Mordvinian Culture in Saransk.

The National Library of the Republic of Mordovia is the biggest library in the republic.

The State Puppet Theater of the Republic of Mordovia, located in Saransk, is well-known in Russia. Most of the plays played in this theater are Russian fairy-tales.

Education

The most important facilities of higher education include Mordovian State University and Mordovian State Pedagogical Institute in Saransk.

Religion

The prevailing confession is the Russian Orthodox Church.

Related articles

• Music of Mordovia

External links

• Official website of the Republic of Mordovia (in Russian)
• Official website of Mordovian State University (in Russian)
• International Relations Office of Mordovian State University (in English, with links to Russian and French versions)
• Official website of the National Library of the Republic of Mordovia (in Russian)
• Official website of the State Puppet Theater of the Republic of Mordovia (in Russian)