Karachay-Cherkessia (Russia)

Karac^ai~-C^erkessia^

Last modified: 2000-01-14 by antonio martins
Keywords: karachay-cherkessia | karachay | cherkess | russia | caucasus | star: 5 points (red) | stars: 12 | stars: ring | stars: 8 | arrows: 3 |
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• Presentation of Karachay-Cherkessia
• Description of the flag
• Cherkess flag
• 1942-1943 Cherkess flag
• Karachay flag
• Alternate Karachay flag

• Adygeya
• Russia
• Russian subdivisions
• Clickable map of russian subdivisions

(Note: You need an appropriate font to correctely view the cyrillic text on this page. See here transliteration details).

Name
    (english): Karachay-Cherkessia
    (russian, short form): Карачаево-Черкессия | Karac^ai~-C^erkessia^
    (russian, long form): Карачаево-Черкесская Республика | Karac^aevo-C^erkesskaa^ Respublika
Local official languages: Cherkess (a.k.a. Circassian) and Karachay
Capital (russian): Черкесск | C^erkessk (english): Cherkessk
    (former name): Batapas^insk | Батапашиск (<1939)
Area: 14 100 km² (5 400 sq.mi.)
Population: 431 000 inhabitants in 1992
Status: Republic (Республика | Respublika) within the Russian Federation
Economic region: North Caucasus
License plate code: 09
Ham radio code: KC
ISO 3166-2 code: KC
Flag adopted in 1994.02.03
Coat of arms adopted in 1994.02.03

Karachay-Cherkessia is in the north Caucasus, it borders Kabardino-Balkaria to the east, and Abkhazia and Georgia to the south. The Karachay and Circassian languages are very closely related to Balkar and Kabardian respectively.
Vincent Morley, 19 Nov 1997

In 1920, the Bolsheviks set up the Mountain Autonomous Soviet Republic in the north Caucasus, which included the lands of the Cherkess (Circassians) and Karachay, but 2 years later this fell apart and a separate Karachay-Cherkess region was established. In 1926, this was further subdivided, and the two peoples had their own regions. In 1936, they were merged yet again, but 8 years later, in 1944, direct rule was imposed by Moscow because of collaboration between the north Caucasus peoples and the Germans. Local autonomy was not restored until 1957.
Stuart Notholt, 17 Sep 1995

The design of the flag also seems to suggest the close ethnic links between this republic and Kabardino-Balkaria.
Vincent Morley, 19 Nov 1997

Blue symbolizes peace, kind motives and quiet. Green represents nature, fertility and wealth. Red is for the warmth and unity of the people. The mountains in the centre recall the scenery of the republic.
Vincent Morley, 19 Nov 1997, quoting [udk97]

The Cherkess fly a yellow flag with an arc of 12 stars over a cluster of 3 arrows. Except for the colouring, this flag is identical to that of Adygea, which has gold stars and arrows on an aquamarine field.
Stuart Notholt, 17 Sep 1995

In 1942-43 the Circasians used a green flag with white half moon and five five pointed stars in circle.
Jaume Ollй, 06 Nov 1996

The Karachay flag comprises 8 red stars in a circle on a yellow field. The design and colouring suggests it is related to the Cherkess flag.
Stuart Notholt, 17 Sep 1995