Russia, officially called the Russian Federation, is located in Eastern Europe and stretches from its borders with Finland, Estonia, Belarus and the Ukraine through the Asian continent where it meets Mongolia, China and the Sea of Okhotsk. At approximately 6,592,850 square miles, Russia is the world's largest country based on area. In fact Russia is so large, it covers 11 time zones.
Because of its large size, Russia is divided into 83 federal subjects (members of the Russian Federation) for local administration throughout the country. 21 of those federal subjects are considered republics. A republic in Russia is an area that is comprised of people who are not of Russian ethnicity. Russia's republics are thus able to set their own official languages and establish their own constitutions.
The following is a list of Russia's republics ordered alphabetically. The republic's continental location, area and official languages have been included for reference.
Russia's 21 Republics
1) Adygea
• Continent: Europe
• Area: 2,934 square miles (7,600 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian and Adyghe
2) Altai
• Continent: Asia
• Area: 35,753 square miles (92,600 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian and Altay
3) Bashkortostan
• Continent: Europe
• Area: 55,444 square miles (143,600 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian and Bashkir
4) Buryatia
• Continent: Asia
• Area: 135,638 square miles (351,300 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian and Buryat
5) Chechnya
• Continent: Europe
• Area: 6,680 square miles (17,300 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian and Chechen
6) Chuvashia
• Continent: Europe
• Area: 7,065 square miles (18,300 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian and Chuvash
7) Dagestan
• Continent: Europe
• Area: 19,420 square miles (50,300 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian, Aghul, Avar, Azeri, Chechen, Dargwa, Kumyk, Lak, Lezgian, Nogai, Rutul, Tabasaran, Tat and Tsakhur
8) Ingushetia
• Continent: Europe
• Area: 1,351 square miles (3,500 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian and Ingush
9) Kabardino-Balkaria
• Continent: Europe
• Area: 4,826 square miles (12,500 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian, Kabardian and Balkar
10) Kalmykia
• Continent: Europe
• Area: 29,382 square miles (76,100 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian and Kalmyk
11) Karachay-Cherkessia
• Continent: Europe
• Area: 5,444 square miles (14,100 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian, Abaza, Cherkess, Karachay and Nogai
12) Karelia
• Continent: Europe
• Area: 66,564 square miles (172,400 sq km)
• Official Language: Russian
13) Khakassia
• Continent: Asia
• Area: 23,900 square miles (61,900 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian and Khakass
14) Komi
• Continent: Europe
• Area: 160,580 square miles (415,900 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian and Komi
15) Mari El
• Continent: Europe
• Area: 8,957 square miles (23,200 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian and Mari
16) Mordovia
• Continent: Europe
• Area: 10,115 square miles (26,200 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian and Mordvin
17) North Ossetia-Alania
• Continent: Europe
• Area: 3,088 square miles (8,000 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian and Ossetic
18) Sakha
• Continent: Asia
• Area: 1,198,152 square miles (3,103,200 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian and Sakha
19) Tatarstan
• Continent: Europe
• Area: 26,255 square miles (68,000 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian and Tatar
20) Tuva
• Continent: Asia
• Area: 65,830 square miles (170,500 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian and Tuvan
21) Udmurtia
• Continent: Europe
• Area: 16,255 square miles (42,100 sq km)
• Official Languages: Russian and Udmurt
Reference
Wikipedia. (4 May 2010). Republics of Russia - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republics_of_Russia