Tuva

I

Introduction

Tuva, autonomous republic, south-central Russia, located in south-central Siberia, bordering on Mongolia in the south, the republic of Buryatia in the east, Irkutsk Oblast (province) in the north-east, Altay Kray (territory) in the west, and Khakassia Autonomous Republic and Krasoyarsk Kray in the north. Tuva has an area of 170,500 sq km (65,830 sq mi). Kyzyl is the capital.

II

Land and Resources

The republic is an elevated plateau, with the Todzha Basin in the north and surrounded by high mountain ranges—the Zapadnyi Saian, Shapshal, Tsagan-Shibetu, Tannu-Ola, and Vostochnaia Tuva ranges. The highest point in the republic (3,970 m/13,025 ft) is in the Mungun-Taiga range. The main river is the Yenisey, which runs south-west to north into the Todzha Basin. Other important streams include the Ulug-Khem, the Khemchik, the Bu-Khem, Ka-Khem, and Tes-Khem. Lakes, many of them glacial, include Noion-Khol, Todzha, Many-Khol, Chagytai, Khadyn, and Cheder. The extreme north-eastern tip of Lake Uvs—a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003—extends into southern Tuva from Mongolia.

Tuva has a harsh continental climate. Winters are extremely cold with little snow in the basin and valley. Average temperatures for January range from -28° to -35° C (-17° to -31° F). Average July temperatures range from 15° to 20° C (59° to 68° F). Annual precipitation ranges from 350 to 400 mm (14 to 16 in) in the Todzha Basin to 800 to 1,000 mm (32 to 39 in) in the summer in the mountains. Dense forests are found in the north, but most of the area is rich grazing land.

III

Population

Tuva has a population of 310,300. Although around 52 per cent of Tuva is urbanized, the average overall population density for the republic—1.8 people per sq km (4.7 per sq mi)—is considerably lower than the national figure of 8.3 people per sq km (21 per sq mi). Kyzyl has a population of about 108,075 (1995). Ak-Dovurak, Chadan, and Shagonar are among the smaller settlements.

Indigenous Tuvans comprise 77 per cent of the population; Russians make up 20 per cent. The Tuvans, who call themselves Tyrva, were in earlier times known as Soyons, Soyots, Uriankhaitsy, and Tannu-Tuvans. They speak Tuvinian, a Turkic language with four principal dialects. Written in Latin script from 1930, it adopted a Cyrillic alphabet in 1941. The predominant Tuvan religions are Tibetan Buddhism and shamanism. Kyzyl has a pedagogical institute and agricultural research institutes, as well as the Tuva Institute of Language, Literature, and History, founded in 1945. An international centre for studying and teaching the traditional local vocal art of throat-singing is located in Kyzyl.

IV

Economy

Mineral resources include coal, asbestos, iron ore, gold, mercury, and other ores. Industrial activity is developing, with food processing, small-scale manufacturing, and timber and metal working carried out in Kyzyl and Ak-Dovurak. The Tuvans are mainly pastoralists, raising livestock, and there is much good pasture land. Hunting to supply the fur trade is also important. Almost all transport is by road or river. The rivers are also harnessed to produce electricity, and hydroelectric power is important. Air links tie Tuva with neighbouring regions of Russia.