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The Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (; of Russia (a Republic ). The direct Romanization of the Russian name of the republic is ''Respublika Severnaya Osetiya-Alaniya''. Its name in Ossetic transliterates as ''Căgat Irystony Alanijy Respublikă''. NAME In the last years of the Soviet Union , as nationalist movements swept throughout the Caucasus, many intellectuals in the North Ossetian ASSR called for the revival the name of Alania , a medieval kingdom of the Alans , ancestors of the modern-day Ossetians . The term of "Alania" quickly became popular in Ossetian daily life through the names of various enterprises, a TV channel, political and civic organizations, publishing house, soccer team, etc. In November 1994, the name of "Alania" was officially added to the republican title (Republic of North Ossetia-Alania).Shnirelman, Victor (2006). The Politics of a Name: Between Consolidation and Separation in the Northern Caucasus . ''Acta Slavica Iaponica'' 23, pp. 37-49. HISTORY See Also: History of North Ossetia-Alania GEOGRAPHY The Republic is located in the northern Caucasus . The northern part of the republic is situated in the Stavropol Plain . 22% of the republic's territory is covered by forests.
Time zone North Ossetia-Alania is located in the Moscow Time Zone (MSK/MSD). UTC offset is +0300 (MSK)/+0400 (MSD). Rivers All of the republic's rivers belong to the basin of the Terek River . Major rivers include:
Mountains All of the mountains located on the territory of the republic are a part of the Caucasus. Mount Dzhimara is the highest point (4,780 m), with Mount Ulipata being the second highest (4,638 m). Natural resources Natural resources include minerals ( Copper , Silver , Zinc ), Timber , Mineral Water s, Hydroelectric Power , and untapped reserves of Oil and Gas . Climate Climate is moderately Continental . ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS See Also: Administrative divisions of North Ossetia-Alania DEMOGRAPHICS The Ossetian population of North Ossetia is predominantly Christian with a Muslim minority, speaking Ossetic and Russian . According to the 2002 Census , Ossetians make up 62.7% of the republic's population. Other groups include Russians (23.2%), Ingush (3.0%), Armenians (2.4%), Kumyks (12,659, or 1.8%), Georgians (10,803, or 1.5%), Ukrainians (0.7%), Chechens (3,383, or 0.5%), and a host of smaller groups, each accounting for less than 0.5% of the total population. 3,283 people (0.5%) did not indicate their nationalities during the Census. POLITICS The head of government in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania is the Head of the Republic. As Of 2005 , the head of the republic is Taymuraz Mamsurov . Mamsurov succeeded Alexander Dzasokhov , who voluntarily quit his post on May 31 , 2005 . ECONOMY Despite the inevitable economic burden of a sizeable Refugee population, North Ossetia is the most well-to-do republic in the northern Caucasus. It is the most Urbanized and the most Industrial ized, with factories producing Metal s ( Lead , Zinc , Tungsten , etc.), Electronics , Chemicals , and Processed Food s. Local Agriculture focuses primarily on Livestock , especially Sheep and Goat s, and the cultivation of grains, fruit, and Cotton . Transportation There is an airport in Vladikavkaz. Overall, the transport infrastructure is well-developed, with railroads and automobile roads being the principal means of transportation. The famous Georgian Military Road connects Vladikavkaz with Transcaucasia . CULTURE There are six professional theaters in North Ossetia-Alania. Also Ossetian State Philarmonia. EDUCATION The most important facilities of higher education include North Caucasus State Technological University , North Ossetian State University , North Ossetian State Medical Academy , and Mountain State Agrarian University ; all located in Vladikavkaz. RELIGION The predominant religion is Russian Orthodox Christianity , followed by Islam . However, many of the native rituals predate both faiths. SEE ALSO REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS General Education Mass media
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