Adygeya

• Location: Russia

A republic since 1991, having been the Adygei Autonomous District since 1922, named after the Adygei people. Their name, which may come from the Abkhaz adzi 'water', is also spelt Aydgey. They are descended from the Circassians (see Karachay-Cherkessia), but the Adygei, collectively, include the Abkhaz and Kabardins, the Circassians/Cherkess, and a number of other minor tribes.

---