General Information

Tuva Republic is one of the regions of the Russian Federation located in the heart of Asia, quite far away from populated areas. The region is situated close to the Mongolian border. The population of the Tuva Republic is about 366,000 people and the territory is 170,500 sq km which is somewhat 64,000 square miles — larger than territories of England and Wales. The republic is split up in 16 Kozhuuns (regions) and borders Mongolia, the Russian Republics of Buryatia and Khakasija as well as the Irkutsk, Krasnojarsk and Altay regions.

Tuva is a mountainous territory, the highest peak — over 15,000 feet or 3976 meters above the sea level — being Mongyn Taiga. The Altai Mountains are situated in the west, and the Sayan mountains — in the east of the region. The eastern part is forested, and western is a dry lowland. One of the world largest rivers — the Yenisei River — originates from here and flows on the territory, and there are many glacial lakes.

Kyzyl city is the capital of the Tuva Republic located at the junction of two major tributaries of the Yenisei — Kaa-Khem and Bii-Khem Rivers. Kyzyl is situated in the geographical center of Asia. The monument called “The Center of Asia” — an obelisk with the inscriptions in three languages — proves the fact.

Population of the city is under 100,000 people.
City telephone code: +7 39422.

Climate and Nature

As Tuva Republic is situated in the center of Asia, it lies between the taiga of Eastern Siberia and tundra plateaus. Mountains and forests cover over 50% of the territory. The climate is sharply continental: the lowest temperatures in winter fall down to minus 45 C, but in summer it may raise up to plus 36 C.

The region is called the country of blue lakes. There are more than 400 various-sized lakes. There is a salt lake called Dus-Khol Lake. Numerous thermal and salty springs of Tuva compete with other well-known resorts.
The flora of Tuva is rich and diverse. There are 1500 species of plants. 15 of them are unique and can be found only on this territory. Predominant trees are Siberian larches, pine trees, cedars and fir trees. There are also 72 animal species and 240 bird species. Up to 18 kinds of fishes inhabit local reservoirs. About 60% of the territory is claimed to be hunting areas. The Republic is a major supplier of the fur called ‘soft gold’.

The Ubsunur hollows, one of the ecologically purest places on the planet, are located there. An International Biosphere Reserve has been set up and the cleanliness of the air is considered to be the standard of ecological cleanliness.

History

The territory of the Tuva republic had been inhabited long ago. Archaeological artifacts found on the territory date back to the Stone Age. The Sayan – Altay upland can be considered the cradle of the Turkish, Mongolian Tungus, Manchu and Khet speaking people.

From the VI till VIII centuries the territory of Tuva was a part of the Turkish Khanate. The ancient Turkish script was developed at that time, so there are still stone monuments with runic inscriptions in Tuva. In the VIII-IX centuries the main fortresses were founded and important road connections crossed the territory. In the Middle Ages the ‘Great Silk Road’ passed through the land of Tuva.

The traditional religion in Tuva is Shamanism. Buddhism was brought here from China and Mongolia and became an official religion in the XVII century.

From the XIII till XVIII century Tuva territory was controlled by Mongols and 1757 to 1911 the Tuvans lived under Chinese rule. After the 1911 revolution in China the territory received independence, but very soon – in 1914 — it became a Russian protectorate. Traditionally nomadic herders engaged in hunting and agriculture, the Tuvans were encouraged by the Soviet government to adopt a sedentary way of life. After the 1917 (October) revolution in Tuva in August 1921, the Tannu-Tuva Ulus Republic was created. Tuva remained independent until 1944. In 1944 it was annexed to the USSR as an autonomous region and became an autonomous republic of the USSR in 1961. Now the republic is one of the 89 regions of the Russian Federation.

The present political situation of the Republic is quite stable. The Republic is headed by the President, elected nationally. The main legislative body is the Supreme Khural.

The capital of the Tuva Republic presently called Kyzyl was founded in 1914 at the confluence of the two major tributaries of the Yenisey –Kaa-Khem and Bii-Khem Rivers. Founded in 1914, it was called Belotsarsk until 1917 and Khem-Beldyr from 1914 till 1926.

Economy

Traditionally, the Tuva people have been good in hunting. Cattle, horses, sheep, goats, reindeer and camels are raised in the elevated steppe areas, and grain is cultivated in the irrigated lowlands. Until today the main part of the population lives their traditional way which is basically a nomadic cattle-breeding. In the West people raise cattle for meat and horses. In the South camels are bred. The main occupations of the Eastern Tuvans are reindeer breeding and fox, ermine, sable, squirrel, otter and lynx hunting.

But even now there is virtually no industry in the republic. Among the republic’s main industries are food processing, leather making, timber working and brick working. There are brickyards, sawmills, furniture factories, and food-processing plants. The fur trade remains important in the northeast.

Population

The ethnic composition of the Tuvan people is complex. The population is comprised of several Turkic groups of the Tuvan, Altai, Khakas, and Karagas peoples. The Tuvans make up about 65% of the population, and the Russians (who live primarily in urban areas) — around 32%. The Tuvans are a Turkic-speaking people with Mongol strains and belong to the Mongolian race. Their language, Tuvinian, belongs to the Turk language group. People in the capital and other larger centers speak Russian, but in the countryside Tuvan is predominant.

Culture
According to the ethnical and cultural characteristics all Tuvans can be divided into Western Tuvans (Central and Western Tuva) and Eastern Tuvans (mountainous taiga of the East Sayans).

The traditional dwelling of the Tuvinians in the west and the south is a round tent of the Mongolian type made of felt, known as a yurt. Among the 300,000 inhabitants of Tuva, one quarter are nomads still living in yurts. But the people in the east build a tent of birch and cover it with deerskins.

The traditional food of the Tuvans is different kinds of homemade dairy products and meat dishes. The national alcoholic drink called Araka is made of sour milk.

The Tuvans have a rich folklore and are skilled artisans in silver, bronze, wood, and stone. The Tuvans are skillful in different handicrafts and folklore. They are especially skillful at making folk dresses and ornaments for women.

Khuresh – national wrestling — is surely one of the most favourite entertainments the Tuvinians. Even people from the most remote kozhuuns (regions) of the Republic come to see these competitions. Khuresh has got ancient roots, which date back to the mythology. In order to win, a wrestler should know perfectly well various technical methods as well as plenty of tiny ruses. The person, who touches first the ground with hand, a knee or even a finger loses. When the judge announces the winner, the latter is supposed to perform the dance of the winner, the eagle dance.

Horse races are one of the most popular sport competitions in the Republic. Participants are not only grownups, but children as well. The whole competition is often finished by a camel race.
Archery is also a popular national kind of sport in the Republic. A powerful school of archery has been developed in Tuva.

The Tuvans are also known because of their throat-singing, a vocal technique that enables a singer to produce two or three distinct tones simultaneously.

Another old tradition is the shamanism. This is a blend of magic, medicine and spiritual guidance accompanied with many sacred sites. It is a living tradition to bring some small offerings to the masters of the water and ask their blessing. Mountain tops and passes are marked by stone pyramids for the local spirits, the Ovaa. A number of mountains in Tuva are considered sacred.

Things to See

If one visits Kyzyl between 13-16 August 2004, it is possible to witness an annual national celebration called ‘Nadym’. This festival is very similar to the Mongolian one called ‘Naaadam’. People from all the regions of the Republic come to enjoy this festival. Various spectacular events like national wrestling, horse races, competitions of archery, camel races and exhibitions take place there.

In Tuva, one can also enjoy Siberian wooden architecture of early 19th century at the village-museum Shushenskoe founded by Russian settlers. Among the other entertainment offered to tourists are daily activities: hiking; fishing; Russian banya; staying in wooden cottages; camping and cooking on the open fire.

There is also an Old Believers community that managed to preserve customs and religion rituals since 1443.

Hotels

As Kyzyl city is not that big, there are four hotels in the city. They are Cottage, Odugen, Kyzyl and Mongulek hotels.

Cottage Hotel. Address: 667000, Kyzyl, Krasnyh Partizan street, 38. Phone: +7 39422 30503. The hotel with 12 rooms, including singles, doubles and luxe, is situated in the centre of the town on the bank of Yenisei river.
Kyzyl Hotel. Address: 667000, Kyzyl, Tuvinskih Dobrovoltsev street, 13. Phone: +7 39422 11107, fax: +7 39422 11192. The hotel is located at the center of the city and has 46 rooms.
Mongulek Hotel. Address: 667000, Kyzyl, Kochetova street, 1. The hotel offers 72 single, double rooms, lux rooms and rooms for four people.
Odugen Hotel. Address: 667000, Kyzyl, Krasnyh Partizan street, 36. Phone: +7 39422 32518, fax: +7 39422 10145. The hotel is also located at the center of the city and has 27 rooms.

Evgeniya Stroganova