Altai Republic

Altai Republic
Алтай Республика (Altay)
Республика Алтай (Russian)
Anthem: National Anthem of the Altai Republic
Coordinates: 50°51′N 86°54′E / 50.850°N 86.900°E / 50.850; 86.900
CountryRussia
Federal districtSiberian
Economic regionWest Siberian
CapitalGorno-Altaysk
Government
  BodyState Assembly—El Kurultai
  HeadAndrey Turchak
  Member of the State DumaRoman Ptitsyn
  SenatorsAmyr Argamakov
Artur Kokhoyev
Area
  Total
92,903 km2 (35,870 sq mi)
Population
  Total
210,924
  Rank81st
  Density2.27/km2 (5.9/sq mi)
  Urban
31%
  Rural
69%
Time zoneUTC+7 (MSK+4)
ISO 3166 codeRU-AL
Vehicle registration04
Official language(s)
Websitewww.altai-republic.ru

The Altai Republic, also known as the Gorno-Altai Republic, is a republic of Russia located in southern Siberia. The republic borders Kemerovo Oblast to the north, Khakassia to the northeast, Tuva to the east, Altai Krai to the west, as well as three countries: Mongolia to the southeast, China to the south and Kazakhstan to the southwest. It is a part of the Siberian Federal District, and covers an area of 92,903 square kilometers (35,870 sq mi), with a population of 210,924 residents. It is the least-populous republic of Russia and least-populous federal subject in the Siberian Federal District. Gorno-Altaysk is the capital and the largest town of the republic with 65,342 inhabitants and in urban areas, making it the least urbanized federal subject.

The Altai Republic is one of Russia's ethnic republics, primarily representing the indigenous Altai people, a Turkic ethnic group that form 37% of the republic's population, while ethnic Russians form a majority at 54%. Other minority populations include Kazakhs, other Central Asian ethnicities, and Germans. The official languages of the Altai Republic are Russian and Altai. Kazakh is official in areas of compact settlement of its speakers.