Kabardino-Balkaria.

History

Circassian (Adyghe) tribes have lived here since at least the 6th century BC, and the Kabardians are the eastern branch of the Circassians. The Balkars are an indigenous mountain people whose name is linked to the word for 'mountaineers'. The area became part of the Russian Empire by around 1830, and a fort was built at Nalchik in 1818. Kabardian and Balkar lands were joined in one autonomous region in 1922, which became an autonomous republic in 1936 and a republic within Russia in 1991.

Culture & traditions

Kabardians speak Kabardian, or Eastern Circassian, a Northwest Caucasian language, while Balkars speak Karachay-Balkar, a Turkic language; nearly all Balkars are also fluent in Russian. The Nart epic and folk festivals are cherished traditions. The republic gave Russia the Balkar poet Kaisyn Kuliev, who wrote with love of his mountain homeland, and the conductor Yuri Temirkanov. In both Kabardian and Balkar, the capital's name means 'small horseshoe'.

Nature

Elbrus is a dormant volcano with two summits, West at 5,642 m and East at 5,621 m; it last erupted around AD 50. Other giants include Dykhtau (5,402 m) and Koshtantau (5,151 m). Glaciers feed the Baksan, Malka and Kuban rivers, and the republic has about a hundred lakes. Since 1986 the area around Elbrus has been protected as Prielbrusye National Park. The climate changes with altitude: around 23 °C on the plains in July, but only a few degrees above zero high in the mountains.

Sport

Elbrus's East Summit was first climbed on 10 July 1829 by the guide Khillar Khashirov, and the West Summit by a British party in 1874. Today cable cars climb to almost 3,900 m, and as Europe's highest peak Elbrus is one of the Seven Summits. The Kabardian horse, bred since the 16th century, is prized for its stamina at altitude. Nalchik is home to the football club Spartak Nalchik and hosted the 2008 Women's World Chess Championship.

Food & drink

Kabardian cooking belongs to the wider Circassian tradition: dairy and vegetables in summer, meat and flour dishes in winter. Expect Circassian cheese, chicken in walnut sauce, boiled mutton with sour milk and cornbread. For celebrations there is haliva, made from toasted flour. The republic grows grain and sunflowers and raises livestock.

Practical information

Nalchik Airport, 3 km from the city, has scheduled flights; the other option is Mineralnye Vody Airport in neighbouring Stavropol Krai. The Elbrus area is reached by road along the Baksan river. The republic is on Moscow time. Nalchik averages about −2 °C in January and 23 °C in July. June to September is the climbing season on Elbrus, while winter and spring are for skiing.

What to see

• Mount Elbrus — Europe's highest peak, a dormant volcano with twin summits.
• Elbrus cable cars — a ride up to almost 3,900 metres with glacier views.
• Dykhtau and Koshtantau — two summits above 5,000 metres among the republic's great peaks.
• Prielbrusye National Park — glaciers, gorges and mountain trails.
• Nalchik — a foothill spa town with parks and sanatoriums.

Cities on the map

• Nalchik 247,054