Sakha

The Sakha Republic, also known as Yakutia, is a federal subject of Russia, located in the northeastern part of Siberia. It is the largest subnational entity in area, covering about 3.08 million square kilometers, and accounts for roughly 18 percent of Russia's land area. The capital and largest city is Yakutsk. The republic is named after the Sakha (Yakut) people; linguistically, Sakha (Yakut) is an official language alongside Russian, and the population includes Russians and several indigenous groups.

Geography and climate: The territory extends across taiga and tundra zones and is dominated by permafrost. The Lena and Aldan rivers are major waterways. The climate ranges from subarctic to polar, with long, harsh winters; Oymyakon, in Yakutia, is among the coldest permanently inhabited places on Earth.

Demographics: As of the early 2020s, the population was around 1 million. The Sakha constitute the majority, with significant Russian and smaller indigenous groups, including Evenki and Evens.

Economy: The economy is resource-driven, with diamond mining as a leading sector, concentrated around Mirny, Udachny, Aikhal, and Nyurba; Alrosa is a major company. Other resources include gold, coal, and timber; energy supply includes hydropower. In rural areas, reindeer herding and horse breeding remain part of traditional livelihoods.

History and culture: The Sakha have inhabited the region for centuries. It was incorporated into the Russian state in the 17th century and became the Yakut Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in 1922; it was renamed the Sakha Republic in the early 1990s. The region is known for the Olonkho epic tradition and the Ysyakh summer festival.