Buryatia

Buryatia, officially the Republic of Buryatia, is a federal subject of Russia, a republic located in Siberia along the eastern shore of Lake Baikal. Its capital and largest city is Ulan-Ude. The republic covers about 351,000 square kilometers and has a population of roughly 970,000. The dominant language is Russian, with Buryat recognized as a state language; the population includes significant Buryat and Russian communities, along with other ethnic groups.

Geographically, Buryatia is diverse, featuring parts of the Baikal and Barguzin mountain regions, taiga forests, and steppe in the east. It lies within the Baikal Rift Zone and contains part of Lake Baikal, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the world’s deepest freshwater lake. The climate is continental, with long, cold winters and warm summers.

Historically, the region developed as the Buryat-Mongol Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic within the Soviet Union and became the Republic of Buryatia within the Russian Federation after the dissolution of the USSR. It operates as a republic with its own regional government and constitution within the federation.

Culturally, Buryatia is home to the Buryat people, who have preserved Buddhist and shamanistic traditions alongside Russian influences. Ivolginsky Datsan near Ulan-Ude is a major Buddhist monastery. Lake Baikal and the surrounding landscapes support tourism, fishing, and outdoor recreation, while the economy also includes mining, forestry, and agriculture.

Transportation includes the Trans-Siberian Railway, which passes through Ulan-Ude, linking the republic with Russia’s vast rail network.