The predecessor of the modern Kabardino-Balkarian Republic was the Kabardino-Balkarian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. The population of the KBR today consists mainly of Kabardians and Balkars, however, other peoples also live on the territory of the republic, primarily Russians, who have been actively developing the Caucasian region since the 15th century. The population of the republic has changed significantly over time, depending on migrations and wars.
Ethnic composition
The modern population of the KBR is descended from the ancient indigenous peoples of the Central and Western Caucasus. It is known for certain that the Kabardians are by their origin the Adyghe people, known in world historiography also under the name "Circassians".
The modern ethnic map of the entire Caucasus was redrawn in the early Soviet era with the intention of promoting the formation of local identities and discouraging separatism. It is believed that until the 15th century, all the Adyghe peoples living today in the Central and Western Caucasus had a common history, and only the invasion of Tamerlane destroyedconnections between clans and tribes.
Balkarians, despite the fact that they are considered the indigenous population of the region, belong to another ethnic group, which traces its lineage from the ancient Koban culture. It existed in the Caucasus from Vlll to lll century BC, which makes the Kabardins one of the most ancient peoples with a proven genealogy. Only Ossetians can argue with this, but their claims to seniority are based largely on mythology, which, however, is of ancient Iranian origin.
Population
KBR is one of the smallest regions of the Russian Federation, occupying the 75th place in the country in terms of area. In terms of population, the republic is in 58th place, the number of its inhabitants slightly exceeds 865,000 people. A distinctive feature of the region is a small but stable population growth due to high birth rates.
The largest people of the republic are the Kabardians, who live here more than 490,000 people. The second largest national community in the population of the KBR are Russians (190,000 people). Balkarians occupy only the third place, and their number barely exceeds 108 thousand inhabitants.
It is worth noting that other nations also live in the republic. For example, more than eighteen thousand Turks permanently live in the KBR. There are about ten thousand Ossetians in the region.
Cities of the Republic
The largest city of the KBR in terms of population is Nalchik, which isalso the capital of the republic. Its population reaches 240,000 people. Representative offices of federal ministries and departments, as well as the residence of the President of the Republic and the main administrative institutions of the KBR are located in the capital.
City Cool
The second largest city is Prokhladny with 57,000 people. The population of Prokhladny in the KBR is constantly decreasing, as its population prefers to move to a more comfortable Nalchik or move to other regions of the country. The city was founded by Cossack settlers, and since then it has been dominated by the Russian composition of the population. Of the 57,000 people, more than 45,000 are Russians.
