Karachay

The Karachay are a Turkic-speaking people indigenous to the Caucasus region. They are one of the titular peoples of the Karachay-Cherkessia republic in southwestern Russia. This region is known for its spectacular mountain scenery in the Greater Caucasus range.12

Historically, the Karachay had their own autonomous oblast, but it was dissolved during World War II when they were exiled to Central Asia for alleged collaboration with the Germans. They were allowed to return in 1957. Today, the Karachay and Cherkess peoples together form just over a third of the republic's population, with Russians making up most of the remainder. The economy of Karachay-Cherkessia relies on agriculture and the processing of farm produce, with some mining of nonferrous ores and coal.2