Republic of Bashkortostan
The Republic of Bashkortostan is Russia’s leading oil-producing region, an agricultural and industrial center with a concentration of chemical and machine-building industries. Bashkortostan is traditionally famous for its natural attractions and unique cultural heritage.
.Video: Bashkiria
Contents- General information
- History of Bashkiria
- Geographical features
Climate and weather - Natural sights of Bashkiria
- Historical sights and museums
Recreation in Bashkiria - Bashkir cuisine
- Meat dishes
- Baking
- Sweets
Sour milk products - Balsams
- Souvenirs
- Where to stay
- How to get there
General Information
Bashkiria occupies an area of 143,000 km² in the south of the Ural Mountains. The republic is home to just over 4 million people. The main population in multi-ethnic Bashkiria is made up of Russians, Tatars and members of the indigenous Bashkirs, after whom the republic was named.
The capital of Bashkiria is Ufa. A quarter of the population of all of Bashkortostan is concentrated here. Every year the republic is visited by about two million tourists seeking to see unique natural sites and familiarize themselves with monuments of culture and art.
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History of Bashkiria
The Bashkirs are an ancient people of the border region between Europe and Asia. The first mention of the tribes that became the ancestors of the ethnos dates back to the 5th century BC! According to chronicles, the basis of the nation was 7 tribes that formed Bashkir settlements on both sides of the Ural Ridge. Gradually, the union of Bashkir tribes began to develop its own economic, social and political way of life. A separate Islamic state was formed, which was part of significant formations such as the Khazar and Turkic Kaganates, the Golden Horde, the Bulgar and other khanates.
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In the middle of the 16th century, the Bashkirs concluded an agreement with Tsar Ivan the Terrible and accepted Russian subjection. In the same period – in 1574 – the city of Ufa was founded. The incorporation of Bashkortostan into tsarist Russia had a beneficial effect on both sides of the agreement: the economy began to develop, the population grew, including at the expense of Russian migrants, the country strengthened its borders by building numerous fortresses on the new territory.
.The end of the 18th century was marked by the active development of industry – factories appeared in Bashkortostan, and the lands around began to be settled by nobles, merchants, monasteries appeared. The settlers oppressed the local population and tried to convert Muslims to Christianity. But the greatest discontent of the Bashkirs was caused by the growth of taxes and land seizure, which led to uprisings. This led to the active participation of the Bashkir population in the anti-feudal movement led by Emelyan Pugachev. During the Peasant War of 1773-1775, the rebels tried to storm Ufa twice, but were unsuccessful. In the end they were defeated under the onslaught of the government detachments.
.It was then that the name of Bashkiria’s national hero Salavat Yulaev, a poet and associate of Pugachev, became known.
.In the struggle for freedom and justice, serious losses were inevitable: the Bashkirs lost almost half of their territories, the indigenous population was significantly reduced, and there were more Russians than locals. But at the same time the Bashkirs managed not only to form and preserve, but also to start developing their own culture on a par with the culture of representatives of other nationalities – Tatars, Russians, Mariis, Chuvashs.
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As in the whole country, the crisis of the feudal system began in Bashkortostan, which inevitably led to the collapse of serfdom and the beginning of the great reforms of the second half of the 19th century. In parallel, the oppression of the indigenous population continued, their possessions were forcibly transferred to the ownership of settlers, and by the beginning of the 20th century the Bashkirs were left with only one-fifth of the land.
Bashkortostan, being part of the young Russian Republic, gained independence immediately after the October Revolution of 1917, proclaiming its autonomy and forming the Bashkir government. Now Bashkiria itself managed natural resources, lands, capital, was responsible for public safety, education, armed forces, collected taxes and spent its treasury.
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During the Civil War, the government of Bashkiria did not immediately side with the Bolsheviks and supported the Committee of Members of the Constituent Assembly. But disillusioned with the dictatorship established by Kolchak, it realized all the advantages of Soviet power. The Military Revolutionary Committee, organized instead of the government, agreed on the Soviet Autonomy of Bashkiria, signing a corresponding agreement with the central Soviet authorities..
The borders of Bashkiria were delineated, and a decree was adopted on its state structure and relations with the Russian Federation. However, the local revcom opposed the centralization of power, and as a result it was dissolved in the summer of 1920. The management of the republic passed to the Bashkortostan Central Executive Committee and the Council of People’s Commissars, formed at the First Congress of Soviets.
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The legendary five-year plan of the USSR began. Agriculture and industry destroyed during the wartime were revived. Bashkiria until the mid-30s remained an agrarian republic, and only by the end of the first five-year plan the republic’s industry was restored: more than 30 new factories and plants were built, steel-smelting Beloretsk plants were reconstructed, power plants were built. During the 2nd and 3rd Five-Year Plans more than 70 more industrial enterprises were put into operation, but the development of the republic was stopped by the Great Patriotic War.
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Since the beginning of the war with Nazi Germany, Bashkortostan became the region where evacuated industrial enterprises and people were sent: hundreds of factories and plants were placed on the territory of Bashkiria, hundreds of thousands of refugees were taken to the BASSR from the occupied territories. The Republic sent weapons, foodstuffs, fuel to the front, formed military divisions and trained fighters. Of the 700 called to the front, 261 people received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
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Fuel production was ramped up, for which oil production and refining were increased. It was during the war years that the Kinzebulatovskoye field was discovered. For 4 years in the republic produced more than 5 million tons of oil. Labor productivity in the industrial sector doubled, and in the machine building industry – tripled..
After the war, the BASSR began to specialize in oil production and refining and became a leader in these industries among other regions of the country. Petrochemical plants were actively developing, mining ore production was increasing, and the machine-building segment was developing. The chemical industry became the flagship of the industry – Bashkiria is famous for its output of polymers, fertilizers, rubber and other products of chemical plants. The industrial base formed after the war still defines the republic’s economy.
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The agricultural sector has also achieved record figures. In other respects – the level of education and medicine, social security, and infrastructure – Soviet Bashkiria did not differ from the advanced regions of the country. But at the same time, there were problems in providing the republic with industrial goods and foodstuffs. At this level of development, together with all Soviet republics, the BASSR approached perestroika..
In the 90s, a turning point in the life of Bashkiria began – it was the first of all to receive the status of a republic within the Russian Federation.
.In order to preserve the national identity, it was decided to adopt the Declaration of Sovereignty of Bashkortostan. The document was signed on October 11, 1990 – this date became the Day of the Republic of Bashkortostan.
.On February 25, 1992, the BASSR was renamed the Republic of Bashkortostan. At the same time, the flag of the RB appeared. A new Constitution was adopted in 1993, the first president was elected at the same time – Murtaza Rakhimov was elected, and the republic now has its own coat of arms. Surprisingly, Bashkiria survived the “dashing 90’s” without any major upheavals, social problems or the collapse of industry – large industrial enterprises remained afloat.
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One of the most important events of the late XX – early XXI century is considered to be the appearance of the Yumaguzinskaya HPP, built as part of the hydroelectric complex of the Yumaguzinskoe Reservoir. It was the “construction of the century”! To this day, the HPP provides numerous regions of the republic with electricity.
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As a result of all the efforts of the government elite, Bashkortostan entered the XXI century in the status of a prosperous subject of the Russian Federation. It is not without reason that Ufa was chosen as the venue for the SCO and BRICS summits, where the leaders of 15 countries from Asia, Europe and South America arrived in 2015. As the head of the region Radiy Khabirov said, “The new century will be the ‘golden age’ of the republic.”
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Geographical features
Sopks, mountains and hills are the typical relief of the Bashkir Pre-Urals, Trans-Urals and the mountainous Bashkir Urals. It influences the distribution of geographical zones of vegetation – mixed and broadleaf forests, steppe and forest-steppe. Forests occupy about one third of the entire territory of the Republic of Bashkiria. In the steppe zone ¾ of the land is fertile chernozem. The change of vegetation belts depending on the altitude above sea level is especially pronounced. The Ural Mountains, stretching from the northern to the southern border, have a significant influence on this.
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Bashkortostan has a large number of natural water bodies: rivers – more than 13,000, their flows are regulated by reservoirs and ponds, of which there are just under 450. There are about two thousand lakes in the republic, the bulk of which are concentrated on the western plains.
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Climate and weather
The climate in the republic is continental. From the north the territory is blown by cold air masses from the Arctic Ocean, from the east – winter winds from Siberia, which even the Ural Ridge does not prevent. From the south, the climate is influenced by the dry and hot regions of the Caspian Sea and Kazakhstan.
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Summer in Bashkortostan is humid and warm, with an average temperature of +20 °C. Winter is moderately severe, lasting five months. The first frosts are noticed already in early November, the last – at the end of March. According to forecasters, in some years the temperature reached -50 °C.
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Natural sights of Bashkiria
Speaking about the natural beauties of the region, first of all they mention the mountains, which is not surprising – the proximity of the Ural ranges has an impact. The second most popular place are karst caves – the amazing underground world of the Urals. And, finally, it is impossible not to remember about water objects of Bashkiria – legendary lakes and reservoirs, keeping mythical secrets and striking incredible beauty of the blue surface, and, of course, waterfalls.
.Mountains and ridges
The highest mountain of the Southern Urals is Yamantau. Climbing it is not allowed, you can only admire it from the side. It is not without reason that “Yaman” means “bad mountain” in Bashkirian.
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Big Iremel is slightly inferior in height to Yamantau. Those who are able to climb to its summit get the opportunity to observe how gradually taiga landscapes are replaced by views of alpine meadows, smoothly passing into desert slopes. The local population considers Big Iremel a sacred mountain that gives strength and fulfills wishes, that’s why esotericists come here so often. Big Iremel is a part of the Iremel Range, the length of which is 12 kilometers. Here at an altitude of 700 meters you can find relic spruce trees.
.They say that the Iremel Ridge is the abode of the gods, and those travelers whose thoughts are impure will not be able to climb to the top.
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Between Yamantau and Iremel runs the Inzerskie Zubchatki mountain chain. It separates the evil Yamantau mountain and the “good” Iremel. You can get to Inzerskie Zubchatki either independently or as a part of an excursion group. The latter is more preferable, as the old-timers accompanying tourists will not only help beginners in climbing, but will also tell why the ridge is divided into parts, each of which has its own name – Lighthouse, Castle, Chaos, Three Bogatyrs.
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It is also better to go to the top of Aush-Tash mountain accompanied by experienced instructors. It is not easy to climb it, but those who overcame the steep slopes get a view of Lake Aushkul. Pilgrims come here to worship the graves of saints Aulius and Divana and drink water from the spring of St. Aulius.
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Another attraction of Bashkortostan is the solitary mountains Yuraktau, Kushtau, and Toratau, which were once coral reefs. These Sterlitamak Shikhans are a wonderful location for a vacation with children: the slopes of the mountains are not too steep, besides, you can find the imprints of ancient mollusks on the stones. Toratau Shihan is favored by paragliders. Do you want to see the Shikhany from the bird’s-eye view? This opportunity is offered by instructors – it is relatively safe to fly in tandem.
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Caves
The most extensive karst cave in the Urals is Shulgan-Tash, or Kapova Cave. Inside there are huge halls with lakes filled with crystal-transparent icy water. Here you can look at a giant stalagmite – its height reaches 3 meters. In the Kapova Cave archaeologists have discovered rock paintings from the Paleolithic era.
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If Shulgan-Tash is considered the largest cave, then Kutug-Sumgan is the deepest, 130 meters. Once it was possible to go down to the very bottom, but during the construction of the Yumaguzinskoye reservoir the cave was partially flooded. The entrance here is closed to beginners – only professional speleologists can overcome the descent down the entrance cascade.
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In the 4-tiered Kinderlin Cave, whose tunnels are 13 km long, you can see a 15-meter glacier, lakes, stalagmites and stalactites, wells and even get under the underground rain. The halls of the cave have romantic names – Lustrovy, Theater, Kashcheyev’s Kingdom. The ceiling height of some of them reaches 120 meters! Another name of the Kinderlin cave is Victory.
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The most difficult descent in the Oktyabrskaya cave. To be inside, you need to overcome a vertical well and a shaft more than 80 meters deep. Such a journey is possible only for athletes with special mountaineering equipment.
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Lakes and reservoirs
In fact, all the lakes in Bashkortostan are unique natural attractions. Tourists distinguish four of them: Goluboe, Bannoye, Aushkul and Aslykul.
.Goluboe Lake is a small body of water with an area of about 400 m², fed by underground water. You can say that the bowl of the lake is filled with mineral water. Bathing here is cold – the water temperature does not exceed +5 °C. Tourists come here to admire the incredible blue of the lake surface.
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Lake Bannoe, or Yaktykul, travelers visit all year round. In winter, the point of attraction is a ski resort. Bannoye is deep – up to 28 meters, its area is 7 km². It is said that the lake got its name due to the fact that the troops of Emelyan Pugachev stopped on its shore for a break: to wash, wash.
.Aslykul is a salt lake. Its area is more than 3 times larger than Bannoye, but the maximum depth is 8 meters. The surroundings of the lake are considered a natural park. Numerous fishing enthusiasts and connoisseurs of beautiful landscapes come here.
.At an altitude of 413 meters above sea level there is an amazing lake Aushkul, the shores of which are studded with dendrite jasper. Jasper in large quantities can be found at the bottom among the silt deposits. The depth of the reservoir barely reaches two meters.
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Aushkul jasper is used to make extraordinarily beautiful vases and bowls. Four such vases can be seen in the Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg).
Bashkiria’s reservoirs are huge in area: the Yumaguzinskoe reservoir covers 35.5 km², the Nugushskoe reservoir covers about 25 km², and the Pavlovskoe reservoir stretches 150 km long and almost 2 km wide, its water surface area is 116 km².
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Yumaguzinskoe reservoir is remote from populated areas, so it is not crowded. Only the most inquisitive tourists come to see the rock of the Three Leaders with a common portrait of Marx, Lenin and Engels, the size of which is 50×70 meters, as well as the submerged mountain that became the island of Sakaska. There was once a village here, which was submerged in water after the Belaya River was dammed in 2003 to build the Yumaguzinskaya hydroelectric power plant.
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The Nugush reservoir, created in 1965, became part of the national natural park. Many tourist bases and camps for children’s recreation are arranged around it. Here it is allowed to make water trips on jet skis and boats.
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Distinctive features of Pavlovskoye Reservoir – steep banks and great depth, up to 35 meters. Fans of diving and fishing come here.
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Waterfalls
The Republic of Bashkortostan is rich in waterfalls, and, of course, travelers take the opportunity to look at this truly grandiose creation of nature. But you need to know when to visit natural areas to see the falling streams in all their glory. Some of the waterfalls in hot weather partially or even completely dry up, and you can only see thin streams of water running off the rocks.
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Thus, water cascades Kuk-Karauk and Kuperlya remain turbulent only in late spring, when filled with melt water. With the onset of summer heat from the rumbling waterfalls remain disappearing streams among the rocks.
The highest of the waterfalls – 15 meters – is the Gadelsha waterfall, located on the Khudolaz River 30 km from the city of Sibai. In the vicinity of the waterfall you can find rare plants. Jasper deposits have been discovered here.
.The closest to Ufa – at a distance of 90 km – is the Abzanovsky waterfall. Its height is 6 meters. Daredevils plunge into the icy waters of the Inzer River, where the stream falls down from a limestone cliff. The water is incredibly pure – it is safely drunk without boiling.
Atysh waterfall is called the most picturesque waterfall. The stream of water flies out of the cave in the rock and falls from a height of 5 meters into the lake. This waterfall is especially popular with tourists traveling in Bashkiria.
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Historical sights and museums
Walking through amazingly beautiful natural places, guests of the republic can join the culture of the Bashkirs and visit museums and monuments, get acquainted with the unusual architecture of religious sites, look into the botanical garden.
.National Museum of the Republic of Bashkortostan
The National Museum of Bashkiria in Ufa has 35 exhibition halls! The exposition was opened in 1864, so at the moment it is the oldest and largest museum in Bashkortostan. In addition to the main building in Ufa, there are more than 10 branches throughout the republic.
.In the Ufa museum, whose building belongs to the monuments of architecture, there are expositions telling about the history of the population of the region, starting from the XV century. In the halls are artifacts, household items, ancient chronicles. Tourists interested in the flora and fauna of the Kama region and the Urals can visit thematic expositions.
.Collectors from the most remote regions of Russia and foreigners come to see the numismatic collection of 16,000 coins. Among the museum’s 135,000 exhibits, one can find Salavat Yulaev’s saber.
‘ National Museum of the Republic of Bashkortostan
Monument to Salavat Yulaev
Undoubtedly, one should also visit the monument to the legendary hero of Bashkiria. The sculpture depicting Pugachev’s associate Salavat Yulaev is cast in cast iron and installed in the center of Ufa. The height of the monument is 10 meters and its weight is 40 tons. Local residents consider the monument to be a symbol of the republic.
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S. T. Aksakov House-Museum
Russian writer Sergei Aksakov was born in the Urals, lived and worked in Ufa. The museum was opened in 1978 in the patrimonial estate of the Aksakov family. The house itself is a historical example of wooden architecture, preserved to this day in excellent condition, although it was built in the second half of the XVIII century. The museum exposition is located in 14 rooms, where the ancient interiors have been recreated. Aksakov’s personal belongings, manuscripts of his works and other unique artifacts are presented.
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Monument of Friendship
The monument was erected in 1957 in the center of Ufa on Pervomayskaya Square, in honor of the 400th anniversary of Bashkiria’s entry into Russia. The height of the monument, which is a stele of pink granite, is 30 meters.
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The friendship of Russia and Bashkiria is symbolized by a pair of female figures standing at two huge swords, the points of which are pointed at the sky. In the hands of women are wreaths of laurel branches.
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Mosques
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Lyalya-Tulip Mosque got its name due to the unusual design of the minarets – octagonal towers 53 meters high resemble blossoming tulip buds. It is known to Muslims as a symbol of spiritual purity.
.South Ural Botanical Garden-Institute
The collection of the botanical garden located in Ufa has about 5,500 living representatives of fauna. Visitors tell about the unique exhibition of violets
