 |
Ulan Ude
(Capital of the Buryat Republic) |
|---|
| Population: | 353,000 |
| Area: | 351,300 sq. miles (Buryatia);
217,800 sq. km (Buryatia) |
| Ethnic Groups: | Russian; Mongolian;
Chinese; Cossack |
| Founded: | 1666 |
| Industry: | Coal; Timber; Sheep; Cattle; Wheat |
|
| Location |
Climate |
| Longitude |
Latitude |
Altitude |
Time Zone |
Temperature |
Precipitation |
| 107° 50' E |
51° 50'N |
3000 ft.
1000 m |
| GMT |
+14 hours |
| Moscow |
+5 hours |
|
| January |
-22° C |
| July |
+18.5° C |
|
14 inches
35cm |
|
From the 13th to the 17th century, the area now known as the Buryat
Autonomous Republic was part of the Mongolian empire. The Buryats were
originally nomadic herders, with cultural and language similarities to the
Mongolians and religious similarities to Tibetan Buddhists.
In the 18th century, Tsarina Elizabeth officially recognized Buddhism as a
religion in Russia. Unfortunately for the Buryats, future generations of
Russian/Soviet leaders were not so tolerant. In the 1930's, Buryat culture and
religion were practically stamped out by Stalin during the years of repression.
Mongolian script was replaced by Latin, then Cyrillic, and Buddhist temples were
razed or put to other uses.
In the past several years, there has been a resurgence in Buryat culture.
Despite the repression of the Soviet years, by most accounts Buryats and Russians
live peacefully, with little of the ethnic conflict that plagues other regions in Russia.
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