Republic of Tatarstan (Russian: Респу́блика
Татарста́н; Tatar Cyrillic: Татарстан
Республикасы, Latin: Tatarstan Respublikası) is a federal subject of the Russian Federation (a republic). The unofficial Tatarstan motto is: Buldırabız! (We can!)[1].
Terminology
Another Tatar version of the name reads Tatarstan Cömhüriäte/Татарстан Җөмһүрияте (cömhüriät is another Tatar
term for "republic"), but it is not official. The direct romanization of its
name from Russian is Respublika Tatarstan. Another (old) version of the Russian name is Тата́рия
(Tatariya), which was official along with Tatar
ASSR during Soviet rule.
Geography
The Republic is located in the center of the East European Plain, approximately
kilometers ( mi) east of Moscow. It lies between the Volga River and the Kama River (a tributary of the Volga), and extends east to the Ural mountains.
- Borders:
- Highest point: meters ( ft)[citation needed]
- Maximum N->S distance: kilometers ( mi)
- Maximum E->W distance: kilometers ( mi)
Time zone
Map of the region with the Republic of Tatarstan highlighted
Tatarstan is located in the Moscow Time Zone (MSK/MSD). UTC offset is +0300 (MSK)/+0400 (MSD).
Rivers
Major rivers include (Tatar names are given in parentheses):
Lakes
Major reservoirs of the republic include (Tatar names are given in parentheses):
The biggest lake is Qaban.
Natural resources
View of the Volga River in the confluence with the
Kama River
View on the Taima River from Devil's Tower in
Yelabuga
Major natural resources of Tatarstan include oil, natural
gas, gypsum, and more. It is estimated that the Republic has over one billion
tons of oil deposits.
Climate
- Average January temperature: − °C ( °F)
- Average July temperature: + °C ( °F)
- Average annual precipitation: up to 500 mm
Administrative divisions
- Main articles: Administrative divisions of Tatarstan
(Russian form), Counties of Tatarstan (Tatar form).
Demographics
- Population: 3,779,265 (2002)
- Urban: 2,790,661 (73.8%)
- Rural: 988,604 (26.2%)
- Male: 1,749,050 (46.3%)
- Female: 2,030,215 (53.7%)
- Females per 1000 males: 1,161
- Average age: 36.5 years
- Urban: 35.7 years
- Rural: 38.7 years
- Male: 33.8 years
- Female: 38.8 years
- Number of households: 1,305,360 (with 3,747,267 people)
- Urban: 970,540 (with 2,762,818 people)
- Rural: 334,820 (with 984,449 people)
- Vital statistics (2005)
- Births: 36,967 (birth rate 9.8)
- Deaths: 51,841 (death rate 13.8)
Ethnic groups
There are about two million ethnic Tatars and over a million ethnic Russians, along with significant numbers of Chuvash, Mari, and Udmurts, many of whom are Tatar-speaking. The Ukrainian, Mordvin, and Bashkir minorities are also significant. Most
Tatars have a Sunni Muslim background, but a small minority
known as the Keräşen Tatars
have an Orthodox background and some of them still regard themselves as being different from
other Tatars even though most Keräşen dialects differ only slightly from the Central Dialect of
the Tatar language.[2] There is a fair degree of speculation as to the early origins of the different groups of
Tatars, but most Tatars no longer view religious identity as
being as important as it once was, and the religious and linguistic subgroups have intermingled considerably. Nevertheless,
despite many decades of assimilation and intermingling, some Keräşen demanded, and were awarded, the option of being specifically
enumerated in 2002. This has provoked great controversy however, as many intellectuals have sought to portray the
Tatars as homogenous and indivisible.[3] Although listed separately below, the Keräşen are still included in the grand total for the
Tatars. Another unique ethnic group, living in Tatarstan only are the Qaratay Mordvins.
According to the 2002 Census the ‘national composition’ was • Ethnic Tatar 52.92% • Ethnic Russian 39.49% • Chuvash 3.35% • Udmurt 0.64% • Ukrainian 0.64% • Mordvin 0.63% • Mari
0.50% • Keräşen Tatars 0.50% •
Bashkir 0.39% • Azeri 0.26% • Belarusians 0.16% • Armenian 0.16% • Uzbek 0.13% • Tajik 0.10% • Jewish 0.09% •
Ethnic German 0.08% • Kazakh 0.05% • Georgian 0.05% • Moldovan 0.03% • Roma 0.02% • Lezgin 0.02% • and various other groups of less than eight
hundred persons each. • An additional 0.02% of residents declined to state their nationality or ethnocultural identity on the
census questionnaire.[4] Historical figures are shown
below:
|
census 1926 |
census 1939 |
census 1959 |
census 1970 |
census 1979 |
census 1989 |
census 2002 |
| Tatars |
1,263,383 (48.7%) |
1,421,514 (48.8%) |
1,345,195 (47.2%) |
1,536,430 (49.1%) |
1,641,603 (47.6%) |
1,765,404 (48.5%) |
2,000,116 (52.9%) |
| Russians |
1,118,834 (43.1%) |
1,250,667 (42.9%) |
1,252,413 (43.9%) |
1,382,738 (42.4%) |
1,516,023 (44.0%) |
1,575,361 (43.3%) |
1,492,602 (39.5%) |
| Chuvash |
127,330 (4.9%) |
138,935 (4.8%) |
143,552 (5.0%) |
153,496 (4.9%) |
147,088 (4.3%) |
134,221 (3.7%) |
126,532 (3.3%) |
| Others |
84,485 (3.3%) |
104,161 (3.6%) |
109,257 (3.8%) |
112,574 (3.6%) |
140,698 (4.1%) |
166,756 (4.6%) |
160,015 (4.2%) |
The official languages are Tatar and Russian. According to the 2002 Russian Federal Law (On Languages of Peoples of the Russian
Federation), the official script is Cyrillic. Tatarstan's government as well as human rights groups and some Russian intellectuals are
strongly opposed to this law. [5][6]
History
-
Middle Ages
The
Little Minaret of
Bolghar is preserved since the Middle
Ages
The Black Chamber is another notable building in
Bolghar.
The earliest known organized state within the boundaries of Tatarstan was Volga
Bulgaria (c. 700–1238 CE). The Volga Bulgars had an advanced mercantile state
with trade contacts throughout Inner Eurasia, the Middle
East and the Baltic, which maintained its independence despite pressure by such
nations as the Khazars, the Kievan Rus and the
Kipchaks. Islam was introduced by missionaries from
Baghdad around the time of ibn Fadlan's journey in
922.
Volga Bulgaria finally fell to the armies of the Mongol prince Batu Khan in the late 1230s (see Mongol invasion of Volga
Bulgaria.) The inhabitants, mixing with the Golden Horde's Turco-Mongolian,
Kipchak-speaking troops and settlers, became known as the "Volga Tatars." Another
theory postulates that there were no ethnic changes in that period, and Bulgars simply switched to the Kipchak-based
Tatar language. In the 1430s, the region again became independent as the base of the
Khanate of Kazan, a capital having been established in Kazan, 170 km up the Volga from the ruined capital of the Bulgars.
Tatarstan was conquered by the troops of Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible in the 1550s, with Kazan being taken in 1552. Some Tatars were forcibly converted
to Christianity and cathedrals were built in Kazan; by 1593 all mosques in the area were destroyed. The Russian government
forbade the construction of mosques, a prohibition that was not lifted until the 18th century by Catherine II. The first mosque to be rebuilt under Catherine's auspices was constructed in
1766-1770.
Modern times
In the 19th century Tatarstan became centers of Jadidism, an Islamic sect that preached a
tolerance to other religions. Under the influence of Tatarstan Jadidist theologians, the Tatars were renowned for their friendly
relations with other peoples of the Russian Empire. However, after the October Revolution religion was largely outlawed and all theologians were repressed.
During the Civil War of 1918-1920 Tatar nationalists attempted to establish an
independent republic (the Idel-Ural State). They were, however, put down by the
Bolsheviks and the Tatar
Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was established on May 27 1920. The boundaries of the republic did not include the majority of the Volga Tatars.
Tatarstan today
Tatarstan declared independence on August 30, 1990 as a
sovereign state and no longer a subject of USSR or Russian
Federation. During 1991-1994 Tatarstan was de facto independent state[citation needed] (called in Russia internal abroad like Chechnya). In 1992 Tatarstan held a referendum on independence from Russia. 62 percent of the those who took
part voted in favor of independence. Subsequently, under Kremlin's pressure, Tatarstan's authorities decided not to pursue
independence and instead settled on a greater degree of autonomy from Moscow. On February
15, 1994 the Treaty On Delimitation of Jurisdictional Subjects and Mutual Delegation of
Authority between the State Bodies of the Russian Federation and the State Bodies of the Republic of Tatarstan and Agreement
between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan (On Delimitation of Authority
in the Sphere of Foreign Economic Relations) were signed. These agreements may be considered as temporary recognition of
Tatarstan's independence by the Russian Federation, because it mentions the Declaration on State Sovereignty of the Republic
of Tatarstan.
Post-Soviet timeline
- 30 August 1990: Declaration of Sovereignty was
proclaimed.
- 1991-1994: Tatarstan was de facto independent state.
- 12 June 1991: The first elections for President of Tatarstan. Mintimer Shaymiev was elected.
- 21 March 1992: Referendum held regarding Tatarstan's status.
The majority of the population support Tatarstan's independence.
- November 1992: The Constitution of Tatarstan accepted by parliament.
- 15 February 1994: The Treaty On Delimitation of
Jurisdictional Subjects and Mutual Delegation of Authority between the State Bodies of the Russian Federation and the State
Bodies of the Republic of Tatarstan was signed.
- 1994-2000: Tatarstan was associated state with Russian Federation on confederal status.
- 1995 and 1999 elections held for the Parliament of Tatarstan.
- 2000 and then 2002: Numerous amendments to Tatarstan's Constitution.
- since 2000: Tatarstan is a subject of Russian Federation.
Politics
The head of the government in Tatarstan is the President. As of 2006, the President is
Mintimer Shaeymiev (Tatar: Mintimer Şäymiev, Russian: Минтимер Шарипович Шаймиев).
Tatarstan's unicameral National Parliament (Däwlät Sovetı, Государственный Совет) has 100 seats: 50 are for representatives
of the parties, other 50 are for deputies from the republic's localities. The speaker of the National Parliament is
Farit Mukhametshin (Färit Möxämmätşin, Фарид Хайруллович Мухаметшин).
According to the Tatarstan Constitution, the President can be elected only by the people of Tatarstan, but due to Russian
federal law this law was suspended for an indefinite term. The Russian law about election of governors says they should be
elected by local parliaments and that the candidate can be presented only by the president.
On March 25 2005 Shaymiev was re-elected for his fourth term
by Parliament. This election was held after changes in electoral law and doesn't contradict the Tatarstan and Russian
Constitutions.
Political status
The Republic of Tatarstan is a constituent republic of the Russian Federation. Most of the Russian federal subjects are tied
with the Russian federal government by the uniform Federal Treaty, but relations between the government of Tatarstan and the
Russian federal government are more complex, and are precisely defined in the Tatarstan
Constitution of 2000. The following passage from the Tatarstan Constitution defines the republic's status without
contradicting the Constitution of the Russian Federation:
The Republic of Tatarstan is a democratic constitutional State associated with the Russian Federation by the Constitution
of the Russian Federation, the Constitution of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Treaty between the Russian Federation and the
Republic of Tatarstan On Delimitation of Jurisdictional Subjects and Mutual Delegation of Powers between the State Bodies of
the Russian Federation and the State Bodies of the Republic of Tatarstan, and a subject of the Russian Federation. The
sovereignty of the Republic of Tatarstan shall consist in full possession of the State authority (legislative, executive and
judicial) beyond the competence of the Russian Federation and powers of the Russian Federation in the sphere of shared competence
of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan and shall be an inalienable qualitative status of the Republic of
Tatarstan.
External links
Economy
Tatarstan is one of the most economically developed regions of Russia; it is also the second most industrialized federal
subject after Samara Oblast. Industrial production constitutes 45% of the Republic's
gross regional domestic product. The most developed branches are chemical and oil
processing, machine building, and wood processing industries. Tatarstan's GDP in 2006 was about 24 bln. USD[1], due mostly to its oil industry (in the 1970s Tatarstan was the major oil
producing region of the USSR) and machine building industry (KamAZ is one of the biggest heavy truck manufacturers in the world). The Republic has a highly developed transport
network. It mainly comprises highways, railway lines, four navigable rivers - Volga (İdel), Kama (Çulman), Vyatka (Noqrat) and
Belaya (Ağidel), and oil pipelines and airlines. The territory of Tatarstan is crossed by the main gas pipelines carrying natural
gas from Urengoy and Yamburg to the west and the major oil pipelines supplying oil to various cities in the European part of
Russia.
Culture
-
Major libraries include the Science Library of Kazan State University and the National Library of the Republic of Tatarstan.
There are two museums of republican significance, as well as 90 museums of local importance. In the past several years new
museums appeared throughout the Republic.
There are 16 theaters in Tatarstan.
Education
The most important facilities of higher education include Kazan State
University, Kazan State Medical University, Kazan State Technical
University and Russian Islam University, all located in the capital Kazan.
Religion
-
Main article: Islam of Tatarstan
The most common faiths include Sunni Islam, variants of
Shi'a and Sufi belief and the Russian Orthodox Church. As of 2004, there were 1,208 buildings used for religious purposes
in Tatarstan; 1,014 of which were Islamic, and 176 Russian Orthodox.
Miscellaneous
The people of ethnic majority of Tatarstan are usually offended when called Tartars. The preferred name is
Tatars. Inhabitants of Tatarstan regardless of ethnicity are usually called Tatarstaners (Tatar Cyrillic: татарстанлы, Latin: Tatarstanlı, татарстанец).
The name Tatarstan derives from the Tatar and Persian -stan (an ending common to many Muslim countries). Other variants of the republic's name are Russian
Tataria (former official Russian name) and Turkish Tataristan.
Some Tatarstaners wish for their state to be renamed Bulgaristan (like Alania), claiming that the region was called
Bulgaristan by its inhabitants until 1922 in tribute to the early settlers.
See also
Further reading
- Lost Cosmonaut: Observations of an Anti-tourist Daniel Kalder
- The Model of Tatarstan: Under President Mintimer Shaimiev Ravil Bukharaev
- The Volga Tatars: A Profile in National Resilience Azadeayse Rorlich
References
External links
be-x-old:Татарстан
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