Abakan is the capital of the Republic of Khakassia, which is a subject of the Russian Federation. Within the city there are major industrial, financial, political, cultural and scientific centers throughout the country. The population of Abakan is 35% of the total population of Khakassia. It is diverse and unique in its ethnic composition. This city is one of the examples of international cohesion and friendship that unites more than 100 nationalities.

Historical reference

Under the assumptions of scientists, the first settlements on the territory of the republic arose more than 300 thousand years ago. Khakassia is known throughout the world as a place of many ancient finds and archaeological sites. Not one ethnic culture developed here . On the territory were bloody wars, including the Mongol invasion.

At the end of the XVII century the fate of Khakassia was more or less defined. Russian pioneers built the Abakan jail, which dates back to 1675. From this moment the history of the city begins. The population of Abakan at that time consisted of those who participated in the construction of the prison. Under Peter I Khakassia finally became part of Russia. Gradually, her lands began to be cultivated and settled. The main occupation of the peasants during this period was agriculture.

Abakan in the XIX-XX centuries

Mineral deposits have been found on the territory of Khakassia, which leads to the development of industry in this region. However, production in the present capital of the republic began a century later. In the early 1800s, the population of Abakan increased to 90 settlements. Despite the nascent development, the level of medicine and education left much to be desired, which directly influenced the demographic situation.

At the beginning of the 20th century, before the October Revolution, Khakassia had a unique economy, which included several political structures, mixed at the same time. The arrival of the Soviet government played a major role in the development of this city: a decision was made on the strategic and economic reincarnation of the village of Ust-Abakanskoe into the center of Khakassia. The way from the settlement to the administrative center of the second level was passed. The historical name of the village was preserved, renaming the city in Abakan. Here, new educational institutions, cultural centers began to open. Industry and the agrarian sector were actively developing.

Geographical location and climate

Abakan is the center of the mainland Asia, located in South Siberia. The city is located between the confluence of the rivers Yenisei and Abakan. The area above sea level is 250 meters. The time zone is + 8 UTC, the difference with Moscow is +4 hours. The climate is continental, but under the influence of hydropower plants and industrial enterprises it is more mildly manifested in the city. The temperature in winter can fall to 30 degrees below zero, but generally does not exceed -20. In summer, the thermometer reaches +30.

The city is interesting for its unique nature. Tourists come to admire the mountainous terrain. Non-resident inhabitants are happy to explore caves, conquer the peaks of ridges and explore the plains.

Population of Abakan: national composition

In the period of the birth of the capital, the territory was mastered by Russian pioneering workers. Their number reached more than 50% in relation to the general ethnic composition. The population of the city of Abakan, in addition, consisted of indigenous people - Khakas. This is a people with deep Turkic roots. Historians call them "Yenisei Tatars". The population of the city of Abakan, attributable to Khakass during its formation, was about 40%. The rest of the 1-2% accounted for other nationalities. These included:

• Ukrainians;
• Belarusians;
• Poles;
• Germans;
• Chuvash and others.

Over the years, the composition of the population has undergone changes. Currently, more than 80% of the total number of the republic falls on the Slavs. The indigenous population has significantly decreased: their share does not exceed 20%.

The demographic situation in 2000

From the end of 1900 to 2006 the population of Abakan practically did not change and amounted to 166.2 thousand people. In comparison with the indicators of 1993, the number of people living has increased. Although at the beginning of the second millennium the demographic situation in the republic deteriorated: the birth rate dropped, the number of pensioners increased, the total number decreased by several hundred people.

If we evaluate the population census indicators for 2000 and 2010, the population of Abakan gradually decreased, losing about 3 thousand people in a decade. The main reasons for this situation are reduced life expectancy and low birth rate.

Factors of population decline

The loss of the number of citizens in the early 2000s is associated with an increase in mortality due to diseases and causes of a violent nature. There was a reduction in life expectancy up to 60 years. To diseases that annually take a large number of lives, include pathologies:

• of cardio-vascular system;
• Injuries incompatible with life;
• Malignant neoplasms.

Approximately 20% of the total loss of population is attributed to violent death. About half of them are connected with road accidents, and the rest is accounted for by crimes: murders and heavy injuries. In addition, the composition of the population was not updated enough: the birth rate decreased. With the development of medical technology and the improvement of the quality of life in the city, the indicators began to grow.

The population of the city in 2010-2015

The statistics of the second decade of 2000 speaks of changes in the demographic situation in the country. In this statistics, Mr. Abakan also entered. The population in 2010 was 165.2 thousand people, and in five years the indicators grew by 11 thousand.

Changes are caused not only by the improvement of the birth rate and the quality of medical care, but also by the development of the capital. More and more people are buying real estate here and getting a job. The city becomes one of the main cultural, political and economic centers of the Republic of Khakassia, which, of course, attracts residents.

Population by 2016

The demographic situation continues to grow: in January of this year, census data indicate an increase in citizens. Its indicator is significantly improved by Abakan. The population is approaching 180 thousand. On average, the growth for one year was 2950 people. The population density per square meter is 1562 people. At the moment, we can talk about a positive demographic situation.

In general, this is very good data for a second-level administrative unit. Every year the capital is developing more and more, which contributes to the influx of people from other regions of Russia. At the moment, it is known that Abakan inhabits a multitude of nationalities, among which the bulk are Russian and Khakass.

Religious views

The indigenous people - the Khakases - during the founding of the city had cults of shamanism. The main deities were: fire, sky, sun, motherhood. The ancestors, their culture and way of life were highly esteemed. The main traditions of the Khakass people were associated with clothing elements and culinary preferences. Over time, most of the population adopted the Orthodox faith.

Nowadays in Abakan many nationalities are concentrated, which belong to different confessions. Of course, most of the inhabitants adhere to Christianity. About 10 Orthodox churches were built on the territory of the city. There are also religious buildings for Catholics. About a thousand Muslims eagerly await the completion of the construction of the mosque in the city.

Abakan is a developed administrative center of Khakassia, which has a long history and unique nature. The population has been mixed up since the formation of the prison, the amount has constantly changed. The fate of the city was largely determined by the decisions of the Soviet government to turn it into the center of Khakassia. This, of course, positively affected the demographic situation not only in the country, but also in the capital itself.