The focus of this article will be the Republic of Kalmykia. The capital of this region, Elista, is not at all like other cities in Russia. It is worth coming here at least to get acquainted with the enchanting world of Buddhist wisdom. Kalmykia cannot yet be called a tourist paradise, but the region is steadily developing, new hotels are appearing. In this land of ancient nomads, you can live in a real wagon, see herds of wild horses, ride a camel. Read this article about how to get to the Republic of Kalmykia, where to get settled, what to see and try, and what to bring with you as a keepsake. We will also highlight the difficult history of the steppe people and their modern way of life.
Location
The Republic of Kalmykia is located in the European part of the Russian Federation. In the south, it borders on the Stavropol Territory. However, the majority of the indigenous population of the republic professes Buddhism. This is what makes Kalmykia interesting. You don't need to fly to Thailand or Mongolia to see pagodas, prayer stupas and statues of Buddha sitting in meditation. All this is in Elista. Kalmykia, located in the south of the Russian Federation, has a rather significant size. Its area of seventy-six thousand square kilometers is larger than the territory of Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands or Denmark. It stretches from south to north for four hundred and fifty-eight kilometers, and from east to west for 423 km. In the south, the natural borders of the republic are the Kuma and Manych rivers. In the southeast it is washed by the Caspian Sea. From the northeast, the territory of Kalmykia approaches the Volga. And in the northwestern part it is limited by the Ergeninskaya Upland.
Climate
The Republic of Kalmykia, due to its large territory, is located in three natural zones at once - deserts, semi-deserts and steppes. The relief here is predominantly flat, and therefore strong winds are frequent here, sometimes developing into dry winds. The climate in the republic is continental. The temperature in summer can reach +42 degrees. Winters are not snowy, but with bitter frosts. The continentality of the climate rises sharply from west to east. But in the south of the republic, the average January temperature reaches only minus eight degrees Celsius. It is coldest in winter in the northeastern regions. There frosts can reach -35 degrees Celsius and below. But the republic boasts a huge number of clear days. The sun shines here about 184 days a year. This is also associated with a long warm period - 250-270 days. And although the average temperature in July is only +24.5 °C,frequent maxims. Without exaggeration, we can say that this subject of the Russian Federation is challenging the Volgograd region for the title of the hottest region.
Economy
On the territory of the republic there are deposits related to the Caspian province of the oil and gas reservoir. Ermolinsky and Burulsky wells are currently being exploited. Great potential in the development of the region is represented by wind energy resources. The government of Kalmykia is taking the first steps towards ensuring that the movement of air masses does not harm agriculture, but brings benefits. In particular, the Kalmyk wind farm is currently under construction. A big problem for agriculture is the lack of fresh water. There is little precipitation - about two hundred to three hundred millimeters a year. Therefore, reservoirs are important for agriculture. The largest of them, Chograyskoye, is located on the border of the Stavropol Territory.
Rivers and lakes of Kalmykia
The sandy coast of the Caspian, replete with small bays, represents a huge potential for the development of tourism in Kalmykia. Alas, it hasn't been used yet. The Volga crosses the territory of the republic only on a twelve-kilometer section. Other freshwater arteries are Kuma (it separates Kalmykia from Dagestan), Eastern and Western Manych, Yegorlyk. Most of the rivers of Kalmykia are small, drying up in summer, and at other times carrying bitter-s alty water. Therefore, the main landscapes in the republic are dry steppes and semi-deserts. However, it is impossible not to mention the lakes, whichKalmykia is famous. You have probably already seen the photo of the Big Yash alta Lake. The healing properties of its water are surpassed only by the Dead Sea. So far, only one treatment center stands on its shore. It was built recently and probably soon other similar institutions will be built here. After all, people come to the wild shore of the lake to treat a lot of diseases - from respiratory to reproductive.
It is impossible to pass over in silence the lake Manych-Gudilo covered with legends. It got its name because of the wind that makes mournful frightening sounds over the surface. Nesting places for waterfowl is Deed-Khulsun. Other important lakes are Sostinsky and Sarpinsky, Small Yash alta.
Flora and fauna of Kalmykia
Kalmykia, whose photos often show endless steppes and semi-deserts, is the most treeless subject in the entire Russian Federation. The vegetation here is represented by feather grass, tumbleweed, and other species that have adapted to the arid climate and brackish soils. About one hundred and thirty species of birds nest on the lakes of the republic. Of these, twenty-three are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. But what Kalmykia is famous for is the fact that the only saiga population in Europe lives on its territory. To protect this endangered species from complete extinction, the Black Lands reserve was established in 1990. It stretched between the Kuma and the Volga on an area of one hundred and twenty thousand hectares. Here is also the lake Manych-Gudilo already mentioned by us with twelve islands. Tourists come here tolook at the nests of swans, bustards, curly pelicans, as well as watch the herds of wild horses run. It's good to be on Manych-Gudilo in windy weather. Then giant waves (up to 12 meters high!) go around the lake. And the wind howls so that it seems that all the evil spirits from the Kalmyk legends have flocked here for the Sabbath. True, there are no tourist bases on the shore of the lake yet. Accommodation is possible only in the private sector of the Yash alta village or in the guest houses of the reserve.
Population of Kalmykia
According to Rosstat data for 2015, two hundred and eighty and a half thousand people live in the republic. And in the 2010 Census, this figure was 289,481. This population decline is due to internal migration. But in recent years, this outflow has decreased. Kalmykia is gradually ceasing to be a depressed region. Taking into account the vast territory of the republic, it can be judged that the population density here is low: about four people per square kilometer. Citizens make up forty-five percent of all residents of the region. And if you remember that in the Republic of Kalmykia the capital has a population of 103,730 people, it turns out that the population density is even less. In addition to Elista, there are two more cities - Lagan and Gorodovikovsk. According to the 2010 Census, the ethnic composition in the republic is as follows: the majority (57%) are Kalmyks, 33% are Russians, and the remaining 10% are other nationalities.
Authorities
The People's Khural of the Republic adopts laws and acts. This Parliament consists of twenty-seven deputies. The Khural represents the legislative branch. The highest official is the Head of the Republic. He heads the executive branch and forms the Government of Kalmykia. For seventeen years, the Head of the Republic was Kirsan Nikolaevich Ilyumzhinov. This man did a lot to ensure that Kalmykia, the capital Elista and other cities and villages acquired a European look. In 2010, on the proposal of the President of the Russian Federation V. V. Putin, he was replaced by Alexei Maratovich Orlov.
History of the region
She is not simple and sometimes tragic. Various peoples roamed these steppes. Cimmerians, Sarmatians and Scythians, as well as Khazars, Huns, Cumans and Pechenegs succeeded each other, leaving behind barrows and the remains of ancient settlements. This explains such a diverse culture of Kalmykia. In the XIII century, these lands were part of the Golden Horde. More than two hundred monuments of culture and history have been preserved in Kalmykia. Five of them are protected by the Russian Federation. The Kalmyk people, just like the Crimean Tatars, became a victim of deportation. By order of Stalin, people were evicted from their native villages. Thousands of them never returned home. The memorial "Exodus and Return", made by Ernest Neizvestny, is dedicated to these tragic pages in the history of the Kalmyk people. The monument is located in Elista.
Modern culture is inextricably linked with the dominant religion in the Republic. After all, the Kalmyks are the only people in Europe who profess Buddhism. Everywhere here you can find khuruls - characteristic lamaist complexes. For a long time Kalmyks were forbidden to practice their religion. There was not a single functioning temple, and the old ones were destroyed. The oldest surviving khurul in the village of Tsagan-Aman, dating from the beginning of the 20th century.
How to get there
Accepts most of the guests of the Republic of Kalmykia, the capital of Elista. The city has one airport. It receives regular flights from Moscow, Stavropol, Rostov-on-Don and Mineralnye Vody. Travel by bus from the capital of the Russian Federation, although it will cost less than an airplane (1800 rubles), but lasts more than a day. To get to Elista by train, you must first get to Stavropol. There you should transfer to another train moving along the branch line from the Divnoye station. From Stavropol to Elista you will spend eight hours on the road if you choose land transport. Bus service also connects the capital of Kalmykia with Volgograd and Astrakhan.
Elista
This city is called the Buddhist capital. It was founded at the end of the nineteenth century. Elista, the capital of Kalmykia, is a small town. Only one hundred thousand people live in it. Therefore, to get to know him, you can rely on your own feet. Although minibuses are constantly scurrying around the city, there are no traffic jams in the city. The color of Elista captivates tourists. Especially striking is the abundance of prayer stupas and Buddhist temples. It is recommended to visit the Golden Abode of Shakyamuni. This is the largest Buddhist temple in Europe. It consists of seven levels. It is decorated with a twelve-meter statue of the Enlightened One, covered with gold leaf and inlaid with real diamonds. The temple contains holy relics: for example, the clothes of the Dalai Lama of the XIV century. At the Seven Days Pagodainstalled a two-meter prayer drum from a tantric monastery in India. It has mantras written in gold letters in several languages.
What to try and what to buy
In the restaurants and cafes of Elista, prices are reasonable. On average, lunch will cost three hundred to four hundred rubles. Be sure to try berigi dumplings, bortsok fried in oil pies, offal soup, lamb and jomba tea.
In memory of the Republic of Kalmykia, the capital offers a wide variety of souvenirs. These are mainly clothes made of camel wool and felt products - for example, yurt boxes. It is necessary to visit a special area of Elista - City Chess. It's all about chess here. And on the main street of the mini-town - Ostap Bender Avenue, there is a monument to the Great Schemer. City Chess was built by Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, former Head of Kalmykia and concurrently President of the International Chess Association.
