North Ossetia Republic overview
North Ossetia Republic (also known as Alania; other spellings North Osetia, North Ossetiya, Alaniya) is situated in the northern range of Big Caucasus, North Caucasian Federal District of Russia. North Ossetia territory length from north to south is 120 km, from west to east - 125 km. Capital city of the region is Vladikavkaz.
North Ossetia Republic population is about 702,000 (2009) on the territory of 8,000 sq. km.
North Ossetia Republic facts
North Ossetia Republic is mountainous region with the largest river of Terek. Forests cover about 22% of North Ossetia region territory. There are reserves of various ores, building materials and mineral waters. North Ossetia republic is divided into 8 districts, 2 towns of republican submission, 4 towns of district submission, 7 town settlements, 91 villages.
North Ossetia Republic history
Since the 18th century Ossetia region was the part of Russian Empire. Since the middle of the 19th century Ossetia was a constituent of Terskaya region. After the revolution, in 1921 as a national okrug it became a part of Gorskaya autonomous republic.
In April 1922 Osetinsky and Digorsky national okrugs were united into one - Vladikavkazsky, which was changed into North-Ossetinskaya autonomous region in 1924. In 1936 - into North-Ossetinskaya Socialist republic. In 1990 North Ossetia was the first to be an independent republic.