Alania

Autonomous republic in the south of the Russian Federation, on the border with Georgia; area 8,000 sq km/3,088 sq mi; population (1992) 695,000. A new constitution was adopted in 1994 and the republic took its former name of Alania. The capital is Vladikavkaz (formerly Ordzhonikidze). Alania lies on the northern slopes of the central Caucasus, and its main rivers are the Terek, the Gizeldon, and the Ardon. Its industries include mining and metallurgy (lead, zinc, silver), maize processing, timber and woodwork, textiles, building materials, distilleries, food processing, and hydroelectric power generation.

History
Alania, part of the region of Ossetia, was annexed by Russia in 1774. Under the Soviets, it was made part of the Mountain Peoples' Autonomous Republic in 1920, became the North Ossetian Autonomous Oblast in 1924, and an autonomous republic from 1936. The republic was occupied by German forces in 1942. The inhabitants are primarily Sunni Muslims.