Chechen Republic
The Chechen Republic, a constituent member of the Russian Federation, is part of the North Caucasus Federal Distric.
Location
The Chechen Republic is located in the North Caucasus, the south of Russia's European part, bordering on the Republic of Ingushetia in the west, the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania in the north-west, the Republic of Dagestan in the east, the Stavropol Region in the north, and Georgia in the south. The Republic has 3 large cities and 18 administrative districts.
Area
19,600 square kilometres.
Capital
Grozny, located 2,007 kilometres from Moscow.
Main cities
Grozny, Shali, Urus-Martan, Gudermes, Argun.
Climate
The Chechen Republic has a continental climate, with the average January temperature ranging from -4°C (25F) in the plains to -12°C (10F) in the mountains and July temperatures ranging from 21°C (70F) to 25°C (77F).
Population
The Chechen Republic's population is 1,184,000 (as of 2007), with a density of 75.9 people per square kilometre. The negative migration influx rate is -0.5 per 10,000.
Major natural resources
The region's major natural resources are oil (associated gas condensate), natural gas, construction materials, mineral springs, geothermal waters, agro-climatic and recreational resources and zeolites. The territory has abundant hydropower resources at local rivers, which remain untapped, as well as the resources of geothermal waters.
Economic development
The Chechen industry is being restored slowly. Key industries include oil extraction and food production.
Power industry
The local power industry's major enterprise is Nurenergo company. The territory has three thermal power plants at the city of Grozny with a capacity of 60.2, 317 and 100 megawatts, respectively, all three currently non-operating, and a thermal power plant in the city of Argun, with a capacity of 6 megawatts.
Chemical and petrochemical industry
The territory has a linoleum manufacturing plant, located in the city of Argun.
Engineering
The territory's Elektropult-Grozny plant produces electrical equipment, while the Krasny Molot plant, manufacturer of oil extraction equipment, is currently being restored.
Fuel industry
The local fuel sector's key activities are extracting oil and natural gas. The territory has 24 oil deposits and a total of 1,440 well sites, with 550 wells where light and sweet crude oil is extracted, the rest having been depleted or damaged. The Republic exports up to 80% of the oil extracted.
Food industry
The local alcoholic beverages industry is expected to become one of the economic leaders within the next few years, with the local winegrowing plantations to provide raw materials. The territory has three surviving beverage manufacturing plants located in the city of Grozny and the villages of Chervlyonnaya and Naurskaya.
Agriculture
With its fertile soil, warm weather, humidity and natural grasslands, the Chechen Republic has favourable conditions for expanding its agriculture. The territory's agricultural sector may become one of the local economy's leading branches. Grain harvests have soared to record levels the past two years. Local bread manufacturers fully meet the demands for bread, making grain surplus sales possible in the future. The agricultural sector is fully financed by the federal budget, with Russia's Agricultural Ministry delivering seed, fertilizers and agricultural equipment. Priority attention is given to the restoration of cattle breeding. The Chechryba association, which united five local fisheries, has begun operating in the republic. Other major food factories are a cannery in the village of Samashki and the restored sugar factory in the city of Argun.
Transport
Railway transport: The Chechen Republic has a direct railway route linking Grozny with Moscow. The total length of local railways is 304 kilometers.
Automobile transport: The length of general-purpose, hard surface roads in the Chechen Republic is 2,958 kilometres. The republic has the Kavkaz federal highway stretching across its territory.
Pipeline transport: Part of the Baku-Novorossiisk oil pipeline runs through the republic's territory.
Foreign economic activity
The territory's main export is crude oil, sold primarily to Italy, Spain and Greece.
Small businesses
The republic is actively encouraging the development of small and medium-sized businesses which contribute to the republic's budget revenues. Today their number has reached 3,000, including numerous cafes, car repair shops, car washing plants, radio and TV repair shops, dry-cleaners' and other businesses working mainly in the services.
