Республика Саха (Якутия)
Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) (passport)
The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is located in northeast Eurasia and is the largest subject of the Russian Federation. The total area of the continental and island (Lyakhovsky, Anzhu and De Long Islands, parts of the New Siberian Islands) areas of Yakutia totals to 3.1 million sq. km, making almost 1/5 of the Russia’s territory. It is part of the Far Eastern Federal District. Over 40% of the republic is located within the Arctic Circle. The area spans three time zones.
Yakutia stretches for 2,500 km. In the north, natural boundaries are formed by the Laptev Sea and the East Siberian Sea.
The distance from Yakutsk to Moscow is 8,468 km.
The entire territory of Yakutia lies in a permafrost zone. The average thickness of the frozen layer makes 300-400 m. Taiga forests occupy almost 80% of the area. The climate is sharply continental. The average air temperature in winter is - 45°С–50°С, in some areas dropping to -70°C. Summers are hot with the temperatures up to +35°C.
Yakutia is the coldest inhabited region on the planet. Human life and farming methods require adequate approaches and technologies. On average, the duration of the heating season is 8–9 months a year, in the Arctic zone – all year round.
Yakutia is characterized by diverse natural conditions and resources, which is determined by its physical and geographical location. Mountains and plateaus occupy 2/3 of the area, with lowlands making only 1/3. The highest point is Pobeda Peak (3003 m). Yakutia is located within four geographical zones: taiga forests (almost 80% of the area), tundra, forest–tundra and arctic desert. Exploitable reserves of forest resources are estimated at 10.3 billion cubic meters. Yakutia is one of the richest in rivers (700 thousand rivers and streams) and lake (over 800 thousand) regions of Russia. The largest navigable river is the Lena (4,400 km).
Yakutia accounts for over 30% of Russia's wildlife, or more than 10% of the world's total. Over 90% of Yakutia is not affected or slightly affected by industrial development, and represents ecosystems with undisturbed natural processes. There are about 50 species of fish in the reservoirs, mainly salmon and cisco species. Yakutia is also known as a mass nesting site for over 250 species of birds, including such rare birds as Ross’s gull, white and black cranes, small curlews and gyrfalcons, enlisted in the International Red Book. About 3 million hectares
of land are classified as specially protected natural areas. Currently, the area of these territories exceeds 1/4 of the republic and includes over 200 specially protected natural areas.
The economy of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) relies on the mining industry. In the Russia's mineral resource potential, the reserves in Yakutia are estimated to make: diamonds – 82%, gold – 17%, uranium – 61%, antimony – 82%, iron ores – 5%, coal – 5%, tin – 28%, and mercury – 8%. There are significant reserves of rare earth elements, silver, lead, zinc, tungsten, and others.
World-class industrial projects are being implemented in the republic. There have been commissioned the main gas pipeline “Power of Siberia” from the Chayanda field and the “Eastern Blocks” of Srednebotuobinskoye oil and gas condensate field in Mirninsky District. Almost 1.5 thousand km of the Eastern Siberia – Pacific Ocean oil pipeline run through Southern Yakutia. ALROSA has started exploring a new deposit, the Mir Deep diamond mine will be built in Western Yakutia. The Kyuchyus mining cluster is being formed in the Arctic, with the annual plan to extract 10 tons of gold and 5 thousand tons of tin. There are promising deposits of silver, gold and polymetals in Eastern Yakutia. In South Yakutia, thanks to the creation of new railway lines, the potential of coal projects is increasing, and the Aldan industrial cluster is being formed.
The IT sector is also developed in Yakutia. In terms of the volume of exports of IT services, the republic is among the top 10 regions of Russia and ranks first among the constituent entities of the Far Eastern Federal District.
The region is the leader in the Russian Far East in terms of gross regional product with an 3.3% growth by the end of 2023. The main contribution to the formation of the republic's GRP traditionally comes from industry - 63.2%,
of which 59.5% is mining. In 2023 industrial growth has been 100.8% as for the year 2022. A record amount of investment will be attracted to the economy in 2023 in fixed capital in the amount of 715 billion rubles with an increase of 5%. Gross agricultural output increased by 0.2%. We are seeing a decrease in the unemployment rate from 6.5% (2022) to 5.7% (2023). The average monthly accrued salary increased by 12.5% and amounted to 108,854 rubles.
The external economic activity of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is predominantly export-oriented and based on raw materials.
The transport infrastructure is characterized by low internal transport accessibility and strong dependence on seasonal factors. More than 85% of the territory is accessible only by seasonal transport (river, sea, winter roads). Aviation remains the main year-round passenger transport. Yakutsk Airport has international status. There is year-round passenger service by rail to Nizhny Bestyakh, connecting central Yakutia with the Russian railway network. A project for the construction of a bridge across the Lena River near the city of Yakutsk
is being implemented.
The territory of Yakutia is characterized by sparse population.
The population density is tens of times lower than in the European regions of Russia and amounts to 0.3 people per 1 sq. km. However, the demographic situation is characterized by a stable annual excess of birth rates over deaths. According to the Federal State Statistics Service, the population of Yakutia
as of January 1, 2023, taking into account the results of the 2020 All-Russian Population Census, is 997,565 people, which by 39 thousand people more than according to the 2010 census. In June 2023, the birth of the millionth resident of the republic was officially announced. Representatives of 135 nationalities live in Yakutia. One of the features of the region is the historically large share of the rural population, 33.2%, compared to 8% in other northern regions of Russia. The rural areas are home to a predominantly indigenous population: Yakuts, Russian old-timers and indigenous peoples of the North, leading a traditional way of life. The population works in the sub-sectors of agricultural production characteristic of the North – reindeer husbandry, hunting and fur trades, fishing, and also in the world's most northern agriculture and cattle breeding. The agricultural sector
as a whole makes a significant share in the formation of GRP and employment of the population.
The traditional cultures of the peoples of Yakutia are distinguished by their originality. It is believed that the Yakut culture is a symbiosis of circumpolar civilization with elements of the culture of nomadic civilizations. A significant place in the spiritual culture is occupied by algys sacred blessing ritual, toyuk song improvisations, ohuokhai circular dance, and khomus mouth harp. Ysyakh is a traditional festival held on the days of the summer solstice. Since ancient times, the festical has been associated with the religious rites of the solar cult of the Yakuts. Ysyakh is the largest ethnic holiday in Russia. In 2005, the UNESCO proclaimed the Yakut heroic epic Olonkho a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity. Since 2012, Yakutia has been represented on the UNESCO World Heritage List by the Lena Pillars Nature Park.
Since September 2018, the head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is Aisen S. Nikolaev, re-elected in September 2023. The government consists of the chairman (prime minister), 2 first deputies, 4 deputies, 20 ministers, and 3 chairmen of state committees. Since September 2023, the Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is Kirill E. Bychkov. There are 70 deputies in the State Assembly (Il Tumen) of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). From June 30, 2021, its chairman is Alexei I. Eremeev. In September 2023, in the elections of people's deputies of the republic of the seventh convocation, United Russia received 22 mandates, New People – 5, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation – 4, Just Russia – 3, LDPR – 1.
In the all-Russian presidential elections of the Russian Federation held on March 15-17, 2024, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) saw a high voter turnout of 71.57%. The highest turnout, exceeding 90%, was recorded in the Olenek Evenki National District at 97.13% and the Anabar National (Dolgan-Evenki) District at 92.59%. Three municipal entities reported turnouts of over 80%: Tattinsky Ulus at 86.1%, Gorny Ulus at 85.79%, and Verkhnevilyuysky Ulus (District) at 82.71%.
The majority of voters cast their ballots for the incumbent President Vladimir V.Putin at 87.79%, followed by Vladislav A.Davankov at 4.73%, Nikolai M.Kharitonov at 4.32%, and Leonid E.Slutsky at 1.76%.