Gorno-Altai Autonomous Oblast

Gorno-Altai Autonomous Oblast
Autonomous oblast of the Soviet Union
1922–1990

Location of the Gorno-Altai Autonomous Oblast within the RFSFR.
CapitalGorno-Altaysk
DemonymGorno-Altaian
History 
• Established
1922
• Proclaimed sovereignty
25 October 1990
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Confederated Republic of Altai
Altai Republic

The Gorno-Altai Autonomous Oblast (Russian: Горно-Алтайская автономная область, romanizedGorno-Altayskaya avtonomnaya oblast') was an autonomous oblast of the Soviet Union, inhabited by the Altai people. Formed as the Oyrot Autonomous Oblast (Russian: Ойротская Автономная область, romanizedOyrotskaya Avtonomnaya oblast') on 1 June 1922, it was later renamed on 7 January 1948. It self-declared sovereignty as the Gorno-Altai Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (Gorno-Altai ASSR; Russian: Горно-Алтайская Автономная Советская Социалистическая Республика, romanizedGorno-Altayskaya Avtonomnaya Sovetskaya Sotsialisticheskaya Respublika) on 25 October 1990[1], although not recognized at the time.[2] It was promoted to a Soviet Socialist Republic on by an amendment to the Russian Constitution on 3 July 1991 and renamed to the Altai Republic on 31 March 1992, becoming a federal subject of the Russian Federation.[3]

Its capital was Gorno-Altaysk.[2] Agriculture was the main occupation for most of the inhabitants.[4] Like the modern Altai Republic, the Gorno-Altai Autonomous Oblast shared its international border with the People's Republic of China.

A minor planet 2232 Altaj discovered in 1969 by Soviet astronomer B. A. Burnasheva is named after Altai.[5]

Scene in the Kosh-Agachsky District, Gorno-Altai AO, 1989
Musician Aleksey Grigoriy uly Kalkin in the Gorno-Altai AO, 1978

History

When the region became the Oyrot Autonomous Region in 1922, the region's capital was originally called Ulala. In 1928 Ulala was renamed to Oyrot-Tura in 1932. However, in 1948 the state changed the name of the region to the Gorno-Altai Autonomous Oblast. With it, Ulala was again renamed, this time to Gorno-Altaysk.[3]

Education

The Gorno-Altaisk State University[6] was founded in 1949, with only 10 teachers. In 1993 it became a classical university.[7]

Demographics

Ethnic groups

The 1989 census states that ethnic Russians make up 60.4% of Gorno-Altai's population, with the ethnic Altai people at 31.0%. Other groups include Kazakhs (5.6%) and several smaller groups, accounting for less than 5% of the population when put together. Comparing it to the 2002 census, the ethnic Altais have significantly increased in numbers.

1989 census 2002 census[8]
Altai people 59,130 (31.0%) 67,745 (33.5%)
Russians 115,188 (60.4%) 116,510 (57.4%)
Kazakhs 10,692 (5.6%) 12,108 (6.0%)
Other people 5,821 (3.1%) 6,443 (3.2%)

Religion

Some Altai people converted to Christianity, but in 1904 a new religion, Burkhanism (the "white faith"), had pervaded the community of native Altaians.[9] Burkhanism helped to encourage anti-Russian feelings and was consequently banned by the Communist Party in the 1930s.[10]

Government

This table includes the heads in the time period of Gorno-Altai being an ASSR.

Position Term length Officeholder
First Secretary of the Gorno-Altai Communist Party 1990–1991 Valery Chaptynov
Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet 1990–1991 Valery Chaptynov
Chairman of the Executive Committee 1990–1992 Vladimir Petrov

See also

  • Gorno–Altai Regional Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union

References

  1. ^ ""Декларация о государственном суверенитете Горно-Алтайской автономной советской социалистической республики" (принята Решением Горно-Алтайского областного Совета народных депутатов от 25.10.1990)" (in Russian). Региональное законодательство Республики Алтай. Archived from the original on 2013-08-27. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  2. ^ a b "Russian S.F.S.R. Administrative Divisions". Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Altai Republic :: official portal". Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  4. ^ "Altai Assistance Project - About the Altai". Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  5. ^ Schmadel, Lutz D. (2003). Dictionary of Minor Planet Names (5th ed.). New York: Springer Verlag. p. 181. ISBN 3-540-00238-3.
  6. ^ "Ozarka Enters Agreement with Russian University Ozarka College". Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  7. ^ "Gorn-Altaisk State University GASU". Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  8. ^ "Всероссийская перепись населения 2002 года". Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  9. ^ "Altai Culture". Archived from the original on 5 September 2006. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  10. ^ "Altai Republic". Archived from the original on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2011.