Not to be confused with the neighbouring Russian federal subject of Altai Republic and the Chinese subdivision of Altay Prefecture.
Altai Krai
En nameAltai Krai
Ru nameАлтайский край
Coordinates52°46′N 82°37′E
Political statusKrai
Federal districtSiberian
Economic regionWest Siberian
Administrative centerBarnaul
Pop 2021census2,163,693
Pop 2021census rank22nd
Urban pop 2021census58.1%
Rural pop 2021census41.9%
Pop latest2390638
Pop latest dateJanuary 2014
Total₽
Per capita₽
Area167996 km²
Area km2 rank22nd
Established dateSeptember 28, 1937
License plates22
IsoRU-ALT
GovernorViktor Tomenko
LegislatureLegislative Assembly
Websitehttp://www.altairegion22.ru

Altai Krai[a] is a federal subject of Russia (a krai). It borders, clockwise from the west, Kazakhstan (East Kazakhstan Region, Abai Region and Pavlodar Region), Novosibirsk and Kemerovo, and the Altai Republic. Its administrative centre is the city of Barnaul. As of the 2021 Census, the population of the krai was 2,163,693.

Name

The region is named after the Altai Mountains.[1]

History

Bone fragments of the Denisova hominin originate from the Denisova Cave in Altai Krai.

This area is part of a great crossroads in the ancient world.[2] Nomadic tribes crossed through the territory during periods of migration. These nomadic tribes consisted of different peoples. Archeological sites reveal that ancient humans lived in the area.[3] The Altay people are a Turkic people, some of whom settled here, who were originally nomadic and date back to the 2nd millennium BC.[4]

The territory of the krai has been controlled by the Xiongnu Empire (209 BC–93 AD), the Rouran Khaganate (330–555), the Mongol Empire (1206–1368), the Golden Horde, the Northern Yuan (1368–1691) and the Zunghar Khanate (1634–1758).[5]

After the Russian Revolution and the rise of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, the policy of war communism was imposed on the rural population of Altai Krai, destroying the livelihood of many local farmers. In response, the peasant rebellion of Sorokino broke out in 1921; this uprising was quickly crushed by the Red Army. Many locals who had taken part in the rebellion were later put on trial and convicted to hard labor or execution, in accordance with NKVD Order No. 00447 in 1937.[6]

During the interwar period, the Soviet state collectivised the livestock and husbandry activities of the Altai population within Altai Krai, resulting in local resistance to the measures and their subsequent migration, with their herds, to China and Mongolia.[7]

In June 1942 Altai Krai was one of the territories to which the families of men deported from Eastern Europe, in particular "foreigners" and "other ethnicities" such as Kola Norwegians, Lithuanians and Latvians, by Soviet Russia to GULAG hard labor camps.[8]

Geography

Altai Krai has rolling foothills, grasslands, lakes, rivers, and mountains.[9] The highest point of the krai is the 2,490-metre (8,170-foot) tall Mayak Shangina.

The climate is severe with long cold dry winters and hot, usually dry summers. The region's main waterway is the Ob River, which gives its name to the Ob Plateau.[10] The Biya and Katun Rivers are also important. The biggest lakes are Lake Kulunda, Lake Kuchuk, Bolshoye Topolnoye, Bolshoye Yarovoye and Lake Mikhaylov.[3]

Altai Krai has rich natural resources, including lumber, as well as significant mineral reserves. These include the nonferrous metals lead, manganese, tungsten, molybdenum, bauxite, and gold, as well as iron ore. Forests cover about 60,000 km2 (23,000 sq mi) of the krai's land.[3] See also Geography of South-Central Siberia.

This region of Siberia is extremely important due to its biodiversity, an area of over 1.6 e6ha is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The area is home to animals considered rare, including the endangered snow leopard.

Administrative divisions

Main article: Administrative divisions of Altai Krai

Heraldry

Flag

The flag of Altai Krai is red, with the leftmost portion blue. The blue portion contains, in golden yellow, a stylized depiction of an upright ear of wheat. Centered in the red field is the coat of arms of the territory. It is derived from the flag of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms of Altai Krai was established in 2000. It includes a shield of French heraldry form with a basement of 8/10th of its height and a sharp part in the middle of the bottom part. Bottom edges of the shield are rounded. The shield is divided with a horizontal stripe into two equal parts. In the upper part has a blue background, which is a symbol of glory, is a steamy oven of the 18th century, which reflects a historical past of the krai. In the bottom part on the red background, which is a symbol of dignity, braveness and courage, is an image of the Koluvan Queen of Vases mainly in green color, which is kept in the Hermitage Museum. The shield is framed with golden wheat ears which represent agriculture as a main industry of Altai Krai.

Politics

During the Soviet period, the high authority in the krai was shared between three persons: The first secretary of the Altai CPSU Committee (who in reality had the most authority), the chairman of the Krai Soviet (legislative power), and the Chairman of the Krai Executive Committee (executive power). Since 1991, CPSU lost all the power, and the head of the krai administration, and eventually the governor was appointed/elected alongside elected regional parliament.

The Charter of Altai Krai is the fundamental law of the region. The Legislative Assembly of Altai Krai is the regional standing legislative (representative) body. The Legislative Assembly exercises its authority by passing laws, resolutions, and other legal acts and by supervising the implementation and observance of the laws and other legal acts passed by it. The highest executive body is the Krai Government, which includes territorial executive bodies such as district administrations, committees, and commissions that facilitate development and run the day to day matters of the province. The Krai Administration supports the activities of the Governor who is the highest official and acts as guarantor of the observance of the krai Charter in accordance with the Constitution of Russia.

On August 7, 2005, the krai's then-head of administration Mikhail Yevdokimov died in a car crash.

In the regional parliament election held in 2016, the United Russia party received 44 seats; the A Just Russia party received 6; the Communist Party and Liberal Democratic Party received 8 each.

In the State Duma of the 7th convocation (2016–2021), Altai Krai is represented by 10 deputies: Nikolai Gerasimenko,[11] Victor Zobnev,[12] Daniil Bessarabov,[13] Oleg Bykov,[14] Valery Yelykomov,[15] Natalya Kuvshinova,[16] Ivan Loor,[17] and Alexander Prokopyev[18] from United Russia; from A Just Russia – Alexander Terentyev;[19] from the Communist Party – Sergey Shargunov.[20][21] Two representatives of the region work in the Federation Council – Sergey Belousov and Alexander Karlin.[22][23]

List of chairpersons of the Altai Krai Legislative Assembly

The chairperson of the Altai Krai Legislative Assembly is the presiding officer of that legislature.

Office-holders

NameTook officeLeft office
Aleksandr Surikov[24]19941996
Aleksandr Nazarchuk19962008
Ivan Loor[25]20082016
Aleksandr Romanenko (politician)2016present

Economy

As of 2013 the Krai's largest enterprises were supermarket chain Maria-Ra, coke fuel producer Altai-Koks and rolling stock manufacturer Altaivagon.[26] Evalar – a prominent dietary supplement manufacturer – is also located in Altai Krai.

In January 2019, the average wage in Altai Krai was 23,941 RUB, which was an increase of 6.3% over the previous year.[27]

Demographics

Population:

Historical population
YearPop.±%
19592,683,265—
19702,670,261−0.5%
19792,674,614+0.2%
19892,822,305+5.5%
20022,607,426−7.6%
20102,419,755−7.2%
20212,163,693−10.6%
20252,098,979−3.0%

Source: Census data, estimate[28]

Ethnic groups

Ethnicities in Altai Krai in 2021[29]
EthnicityPopulationPercentage
Russians1,863,68695.5%
Germans25,3611.3%
Ukrainians10,6140.5%
Kazakhs5,5860.3%
Tajiks5,2300.3%
Armenians5,1000.3%
Other36,8561.8%
Ethnicity not stated211,260–

Vital statistics for 2024:[30]

  • Births: 15,351 (7.3 per 1,000)
  • Deaths: 32,249 (15.3 per 1,000)

Total fertility rate (2024):[31]
1.24 children per woman

Life expectancy (2021):[32]
Total — 68.60 years (male — 64.08, female — 73.10)

Religion

According to a 2012 survey[33] 22.6% of the population of Altay Krai adheres to the Russian Orthodox Church, 3% are unaffiliated Christians, 1% are Orthodox Christian believers without belonging to any church or are adherents of other Orthodox churches, 1% are adherents of Islam. In addition, 31% of the population declares to be "spiritual but not religious", 27% is atheist, and 14.4% follows other religions or did not give an answer to the question.[33]

Sister district

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Rus: Алтайский край

References

Citations

  1. ^ Warikoo, K. (2017). Eurasia and India: Regional Perspectives. Routledge. ISBN 9781351691956.
  2. ^ "Greater Altai – Altai Krai, Republic of Altai, Tyva (Tuva), and Novosibirsk — Crossroads". Archived from the original on March 14, 2007. Retrieved November 30, 2006.
  3. ^ "Altai Territory". Archived November 4, 2006 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2006-11-29.
  4. ^ "Peoples from Russia — Alexey, guide in Altay region". Archived December 30, 2006 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2006-11-30.
  5. ^ History of Mongolia, Volume II, 2003
  6. ^ Jusopova (2010), pp. 91–109.
  7. ^ Olson, James Stuart (1998). An ethnohistorical dictionary of China. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 11. ISBN 9780313288531.
  8. ^ Lietuvos žydų tremtinių sąrašas Parengė Galina Žirikova pagal: "Genocido aukų vardynas 1939–1941 m." Lietuvos gyventojų genocido ir rezistencijos centras. 1998–2005 m.
  9. ^ "Russian program — Altai". Archived from the original on March 22, 2007. Retrieved 2006-11-30.
  10. ^ Geographical position, geological structure and surface topography of the south of Western Siberia (in Russian)
  11. ^ "Герасименко Николай Федорович" [Gerasimenko Nikolay Fedorovich]. www.gosduma.net. Archived 2020-11-29 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  12. ^ "Зобнев Виктор Викторович" [Zobnev Viktor Viktorovich]. www.gosduma.net. Archived 2020-11-28 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  13. ^ "Бессарабов Даниил Владимирович" [Bessarabov Daniil Vladimirovich]. www.gosduma.net. Archived 2020-11-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  14. ^ "Быков Олег Петрович" [Bykov Oleg Petrovich]. www.gosduma.net. Archived 2020-11-29 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  15. ^ "Елыкомов Валерий Анатольевич" [Yelykomov Valery Anatolyevich]. www.gosduma.net. Archived 2020-11-29 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  16. ^ "Кувшинова Наталья Сергеевна" [Kuvshinova Natalya Sergeyevna]. www.gosduma.net. Archived 2021-01-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  17. ^ "Лоор Иван Иванович" [Loor Ivan Ivanovich]. www.gosduma.net. Archived 2020-11-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  18. ^ "Прокопьев Александр Сергеевич" [Prokopyev Alexander Sergeyevich]. www.gosduma.net. Archived 2021-01-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  19. ^ "Терентьев Александр Васильевич" [Terentyev Alexander Vasilyevich]. www.gosduma.net. Archived 2020-11-28 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  20. ^ "Шаргунов Сергей Александрович" [Shargunov Sergey Alexandrovich]. www.gosduma.net. Archived 2021-01-19 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  21. ^ "Депутаты Государственной Думы РФ от Алтайского края" [Deputies of the State Duma of the Russian Federation from the Altai Krai]. www.altairegion22.ru. Archived 2021-02-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  22. ^ "Карлин Александр Богданович" [Karlin Alexander Bogdanovich]. www.altairegion22.ru. Archived 2021-05-26 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  23. ^ "Члены Совета Федерации от Алтайского края" [Members of the Federation Council from the Altai Territory]. www.altairegion22.ru. Archived 2021-02-01 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  24. ^ "АЛЕЙНИКОВ АНДРЕЙ АНАТОЛЬЕВИЧ / "Российская Федерация" / III выпуск / ВСЕ ГЕРОИ ЭНЦИКЛОПЕДИИ / Издательство "Спец-Адрес"". www.llr.ru. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  25. ^ "Altai Krai Legislative Assembly". Archived from the original on April 17, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  26. ^ "Новости, анализ, прогнозы в сфере экономики и бизнеса, общества и политики". expert.ru. Archived from the original on October 13, 2018. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  27. ^ "Какова средняя зарплата в Алтайском крае? – Толк 17.03.2019". March 17, 2019.
  28. ^ "Предварительная оценка численности постоянного населения на 1 января 2025 года". Federal State Statistics Service. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  29. ^ "Национальный состав населения". Federal State Statistics Service. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  30. ^ "Естественное движение населения в разрезе субъектов российской федерации за декабрь 2024 года". Rosstat. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  31. ^ "Рейтинг рождаемости в регионах: кто в лидерах, а кто в аутсайдерах | Москва" (in ru-RU). ФедералПресс. 2025-02-25. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
  32. ^ "Демографический ежегодник России" [The Demographic Yearbook of Russia] (in Russian). Federal State Statistics Service of Russia (Rosstat). Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  33. ^ "Arena: Atlas of Religions and Nationalities in Russia". Sreda, 2012.
  34. ^ "China and Russia sister cities". Archived from the original on November 12, 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2018.

Sources