ABSTRACT
This chapter provides all basic political, economic, and demographic data on a territorial unit of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Mordovia. The territory inhabited by the Mordvins became a part of what is now considered Russia in 1552, after the defeat of the Mongol horde. Mordvins, the titular nationality in the republic, now make up only one third of the republican population, while there are nearly twice as many Russians. Additionally, Mordovia boasts Europe’s largest cement producer, Mordovtsement. According to a 1998 survey by Ekspert magazine, the republic ranked 60th among Russia’s 89 regions in terms of investment potential and 22nd in terms of investment risks. Nikolai Merkushkin has achieved one of the highest victory margins of any other Russian regional executive elected by popular mandate. He was elected President of Mordovia with 96.6 percent of the vote and a voter turnout of 75.6 percent. Moscow buys more than half of Mordovia’s output.
