UdmurtiaThe Udmurt Republic (Udmurt: Удмурт Элькун; Russian: Удму´ртская респу´блика) or Udmurtia (Удму´ртия) is a federal subject of the Russian Federation (a republic). The direct transliteration of the Republic's name is Udmurtskaya Respublika or Udmurtiya.
GeographyUdmurtia is located in the eastern portion of the Eastern European Plain, between the Kama and Vyatka Rivers.
Time zoneUdmurtia is located in the Samara Time Zone (SAMT/SAMST). UTC offset is +0400 (SAMT)/+0500 (SAMST).RiversMajor rivers include:
LakesWhile there are no large lakes in the Republic, Votkinskoye Reservoir is partially located on its territory.Natural ResourcesUdmurtia's natural resources include Oil, Peat, mineral waters, and more. Oil reserves are estimated to be 820 million tons (as of 2002). Approximately 7-8 million tons are extracted annually. Most of the oil is exported.Forests cover over 40% of the Republic's territory. Most of the forests are coniferous. ClimateUdmurtia has moderate Continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters with a lot of snow.
Administrative divisions
DemographicsOver 100 different nationalities inhabit the Republic, including Russians (60.1%), native Udmurts (29.3%), and Tatars (7.0%). Over two thirds of the world population of Udmurts live in Udmurtia.
HistoryBefore November 4, 1920, when Votsk Autonomous Oblast was formed, the territory of modern day Udmurtia was divided between Kazan and Vyatka Governorships. On January 1, 1932, Votsk Autonomous Oblast was renamed Udmurt Autonomous Oblast, which was then reorganized into the Udmurt ASSR on December 28, 1934. The Udmurt Republic in its present form exists since September 20, 1990.PoliticsThe head of government in Udmurtia is the President, who is elected for a five-year term. As of 2005, the president is Alexander Alexandrovich Volkov, who assumed his post on November 3, 2000. Prior to the elections, Volkov was the Chairman of the Republic's Council-the highest post at that time.The Republic's Parliament is the State Council, popularly elected every five years. The State Council has 100 deputies. The Republic's constitution was adopted on December 7, 1994. EconomyUdmurtia is an industrialized Republic. The most developed industries include machine building, chemical, and oil and gas industries.CultureIn Udmurtia, there are eight professional theaters, the Philharmonic Society, and more than ten state and numerous public museums which tell about history and culture of Udmurtia and its people, like the Museum of history and culture in Sarapul, or the Tchaikovsky Museum in Votkinsk. One of the oldest arms museums is located in Izhevsk.See also: Music of Udmurtia EducationThe most important facilities of higher education include the Udmurt State University, Izhevsk State Technical University, and Izhevsk State Medical Academy, all located in the capital Izhevsk.ReligionThe majority of the Republic's population is atheist or Russian Orthodox. Shamanism is also practiced. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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