Chuvash (republic)

Autonomous republic in the western Russian Federation; area 18,300 sq km/7,066 sq mi; population (1990) 1,340,000 (68% Chuvash, 25% Russian). The main cities are Cheboksary (capital), Alatyr, and Shumerla. Chuvash lies south of the Volga River, 560 km/350 mi east of Moscow. The main industries are textiles, lumbering, electrical and engineering industries, phosphates, and limestone; there is grain and fruit farming.

The area was annexed by Russia in the mid-16th century. Chuvash became an autonomous region in 1920, and a Soviet autonomous republic from 1925. It was made an autonomous republic of the Russian Federation in 1991.