Kalmykia

views updated May 29 2018

Kalmykia Republic of the Russian Federation on the Caspian Sea, se European Russia; the capital is Elista. The region was made an autonomous republic in 1936. In World War II its inhabitants were deported to Soviet Central Asia for alleged collaboration with the Germans. They returned in 1957. After the break-up of the Soviet Union, it became a republic within the Russian Federation, acquiring its present name in 1992. Industries: fishing, animal farming. Area: c.75,900sq km (29,300sq mi). Pop. (2000) 315,700.