Population: The population of Mari is approximately 750,000. 43% of the ethnic Maris living in the former Soviet Union, reside in their own republic. Most Maris live in neighbouring areas. In the Mari Republic, Russians are the second largest population group, representing 48% of the total, Tatars 6% and Chuvash 1%.

Languages: The language in Mari is Volga-Finnic, a branch of the Finno-Ugric of the Uralic family of languages.

Organisations: The Mari are represented by Mari Ushem, the National Movement, in order to seek support for the preservation and development of its national culture and identity.

Economy: The most important resource of the Mari Republic is its forests. Other industries include metal working, paper, woodworking and food processing. Mari is one of the few agricultural areas in the world where bee-keeping has a market economic importance.

Brief History:

• 18th century - Tsarist Russia suppressed the cultural development of Mari.
• 1920 - Mari became an autonomous region. The Mari language was eliminated from the school and the culture suffered from mass collectivisation.
• 1936 - The Mari Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was created.
• 1990 - The Supreme Soviet of Mari declared sovereignty of the republic.
• 1991 - The Mari became a member of UNPO.

Current situation: In January 1997 presidential elections were held in the Republic of Mari. In the final round of the elections, both final candidates were Russians who did not speak the Mari language. The elections were won by V. Kislitsy. Since the beginning of his term, many Mari officials have been removed from key positions in society and have been replaced by Russians