The Geography of Russias 21 Republics

Russia, officially called the Russian Federation, is located in Eastern Europe and stretches from its borders with Finland, Estonia, Belarus, and Ukraine through the Asian continent where it meets Mongolia, China and the Sea of Okhotsk. At approximately 6,592,850 square miles, Russia is the worlds largest country based on area. Russia is so large that it covers 11 time zones. Because of its large size, Russia is divided into 83 federal subjects (members of the Russian Federation) for local administration throughout the country. Twenty-one of those federal subjects are considered republics. A republic in Russia is an area that is comprised of people who are not of Russian ethnicity. Russias republics are thus able to set their official languages and establish their constitutions. The following is a list of Russias republics ordered alphabetically. The republics continental location, area, and official languages have been included for reference. Adygea Continent: EuropeArea: 2,934 square miles (7,600 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Adyghe Altai Continent: AsiaArea: 35,753 square miles (92,600 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Altay Bashkortostan Continent: EuropeArea: 55,444 square miles (143,600 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Bashkir Buryatia Continent: AsiaArea: 135,638 square miles (351,300 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Buryat Dagestan Continent: EuropeArea: 19,420 square miles (50,300 sq km)Official Languages: Russian, Aghul, Avar, Azeri, Chechen, Dargwa, Kumyk, Lak, Lezgian, Nogai, Rutul, Tabasaran, Tat and Tsakhur Chechnya Continent: EuropeArea: 6,680 square miles (17,300 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Chechen Ingushetia Continent: EuropeArea: 1,351 square miles (3,500 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Ingush Kabardino-Balkaria Continent: EuropeArea: 4,826 square miles (12,500 sq km)Official Languages: Russian, Kabardian and Balkar Kalmykia Continent: EuropeArea: 29,382 square miles (76,100 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Kalmyk Karachay-Cherkessia Continent: EuropeArea: 5,444 square miles (14,100 sq km)Official Languages: Russian, Abaza, Cherkess, Karachay and Nogai Karelia Continent: EuropeArea: 66,564 square miles (172,400 sq km)Official Language: Russian Komi Continent: EuropeArea: 160,580 square miles (415,900 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Komi Mari El Continent: EuropeArea: 8,957 square miles (23,200 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Mari Mordovia Continent: EuropeArea: 10,115 square miles (26,200 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Mordvin Sakha Continent: AsiaArea: 1,198,152 square miles (3,103,200 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Sakha North Ossetia-Alania Continent: EuropeArea: 3,088 square miles (8,000 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Ossetic Tatarstan Continent: EuropeArea: 26,255 square miles (68,000 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Tatar Tuva Continent: AsiaArea: 65,830 square miles (170,500 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Tuvan Udmurtia Continent: EuropeArea: 16,255 square miles (42,100 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Udmurt Khakassia Continent: AsiaArea: 23,900 square miles (61,900 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Khakass Chuvashia Continent: EuropeArea: 7,065 square miles (18,300 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Chuvash