The Russian Federation, in addition to Russian cities, also includes various republics of other nationalities. Tatarstan also belongs to them, whose population consists not only of Tatars alone. This state has a huge cultural heritage, the study of which is very exciting. The cities of Tatarstan, it would seem, are very different from each other, but at the same time they have a large number of similar features. It is about these points that will be discussed.
About the Republic
Tatarstan is located in the middle Volga region. It belongs to the Volga Federal District. The area of Tatarstan is limited to such regions as Ulyanovsk, Samara, Kirov and Orenburg, as well as the republics of Mari El, Chuvashia, Udmurtia and Bashkiria. The capital of this constituent entity of the Russian Federation is the city of Kazan.
The entire area of Tatarstan is about 68 thousand square kilometers. The total population is 3868.7 thousand people. Among the subjects of the Russian Federation, the republic is in seventh place in terms of the number of residents in the territory. The population density of Tatarstan is fifty-seven people per square kilometer. This is much higher than the national average (8.57 people per square kilometer).
In ancient times, Finno-Ugric tribes lived on the territory of this subject of the Russian Federation. They were replaced by communities of Bulgars who were able to create their own state. But their time did not last long either - the Mongol-Tatars destroyed everything. The current territory of Tatarstan was part of the Golden Horde. And only after its collapse did the Kazan Khanate appear. Ivan the Terrible included him in the Russian Empire. After the Kazan province was created, which during the revolutions was renamed the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the republic acquired a new name - Tatarstan.
About settlements and main nationalities of the republic
The number of settlements, in addition to the millionaire city of Kazan, includes another twenty-six cities. Three of them (Naberezhnye Chelny, Nizhnekamsk, Almetyevsk) have more than 100 thousand inhabitants. In such settlements as Zelenodolsk, Bugulma, Elabuga, Leninogorsk, Chistopol, more than 50 thousand live. Incredibly multinational republic of Tatarstan. Its population is diverse. It has more than 173 nationalities. Among them:
- Tatars (about 53.2% of the total population);
- Russians (39.7%);
- Chuvash (3.1%);
- Udmurts (0.6%);
- Bashkirs (0.36%);
- other nationalities (less than 3.1%).
The population by region shows that the percentage of Tatars in almost all areas is slightly less than Russian.
Kazan is the heart of the republic
The capital of any state is its pride. So it can be said about Kazan. The origin of this city is as ancient as the origin of the Republic of Tatarstan itself. It is not for nothing that in Old Slavonic times the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation was called the Kazan Khanate.
Kazan is the pearl of the Republic of Tatarstan, the population does its best to preserve the cultural heritage, but at the same time it brings modern features to the city. Today, the village is a modern center that has not completely lost its former greatness.
In Kazan, a little more than a million inhabitants live. This is the largest city of the republic. It is mainly populated by Russians and Tatars (approximately 48% and 47%, respectively). Other nationalities are relatively rare. That is why two directions prevail in religious views: Orthodox Christianity and Sunni Islam.
Distinctive features of other cities of the republic
In addition to the million-plus city, there are other notable settlements in the territory of Tatarstan. For example, Naberezhnye Chelny. During the Soviet Union, this city was the leading country in terms of the production of KamAZ trucks. It was this event that turned an ordinary small town into a progressive center. In that era, the city was even renamed Brezhnev, but such a solution somehow did not take root. The administration had to return the previous name.
Another very interesting city is Almetyevsk. This is the oldest settlement in the Republic of Tatarstan, whose population is a valuable bearer of the traditions and legends of the former Kazan Khanate. At the same time, Nizhnekamsk is the youngest city in the republic. But, surprisingly, it is in third place after Kazan and Naberezhnye Chelny in terms of number of inhabitants.
In addition to these cities, there are other notable settlements. All of them even in the photo have some elusive similarity in buildings, streets and other small things. But at the same time, the difference between these cities is felt.
Finally
Tatarstan is one of the ten largest entities belonging to the Russian Federation. The beauty of its capital does not deteriorate over the years. The city is getting better and more modern. The population mainly consists of Russians and Tatars, so it is not difficult for those who wish to visit this glorious republic to communicate with local residents. And their friendliness and hospitality will impress anyone.
