ABSTRACT
This chapter presents all basic political, economic, and demographic data on a territorial unit of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Adygeya. Adygeya is located on the northern slope of the Caucasus Mountains and is surrounded by Krasnodar Krai, of which it was a part until 1991. Maikop, the republican capital, is located 1,670 km south of Moscow and 160 km from the city of Krasnodar. The republican legislature has approved some benefits for foreign investors. According to a 1998 survey by Ekspert magazine, the republic ranked 74th among Russia’s 89 regions in terms of investment potential and 55th in terms of investment risk. Asian Dzharimov became the first president of the Republic of Adygeya in January 1992. Adygeya achieved the status of republic only in 1991, having been an autonomous region inside Krasnodar Krai for nearly sixty years. Dzharimov launched his political career at an early age by joining the Communist Party when he was only 16.
