Mordovia, or the Republic of Mordovia (Moksh. Mordovia Respubliki,
Erz. Mordovia Respublika), is a subject of the Russian Federation, a
republic within it. It is part of the Volga Federal District and is part
of the Volga-Vyatka economic region.
Area 26,128 km². The
population is 771,373 people. The capital is the city of Saransk.
Official languages: Russian and Mordovian (Erzya and Moksha)
languages.
Time zone MSK, offset relative to UTC is +3:00.
Divided into 22 municipal districts and 1 urban district. Head of the
Republic of Mordovia Artyom Alekseevich Zdunov, Chairman of the
Government Dmitry Aleksandrovich Pozdnyakov, Chairman of the State
Assembly of the Republic Vladimir Vasilyevich Chibirkin (since 2011).
Formed on July 16, 1928 as the Mordovian Okrug. On January 10, 1930,
the district was transformed into the Mordovian Autonomous Region.
Republic since 1934.
Saransk
The largest and most
important of the three, Saransk serves as the capital and
administrative heart of Mordovia. With a population of around
300,000, it is a modern, compact city situated along the Insar
River. It functions as the region's main economic, cultural, and
educational hub, home to Mordovian State University, several museums
(including the Fine Arts Museum with its impressive collection of
Russian and Mordvin art), and sports facilities that hosted matches
during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The city blends Soviet-era
architecture with newer developments and is known for its clean
streets, green parks, and vibrant cultural festivals celebrating
Mordvin (Finno-Ugric) heritage.
Ruzayevka
Located just 20–25 km southwest of Saransk, Ruzayevka is the
second-largest settlement in Mordovia and acts as a major
transportation and industrial node. It is famous for its large
railway junction, which connects multiple lines across Russia and
makes it an important logistics center. The town has a more
industrial character than Saransk, with engineering plants,
construction materials production, and a strong working-class
identity. Its population is approximately 45,000–50,000. Despite its
industrial focus, Ruzayevka offers pleasant residential areas and
serves as a convenient satellite town for those working in Saransk.
Temnikov
Situated about 120–130 km
northwest of Saransk in the forested northern part of the republic,
Temnikov is a small historic town with deep roots. Founded in the
16th century as a frontier fortress, it has a much quieter,
provincial atmosphere with a population of around 6,500–7,000. The
town is surrounded by beautiful woodlands of the Mordovian Nature
Reserve and is known for its traditional wooden architecture, the
18th-century Transfiguration Cathedral, and local handicrafts. It
offers a glimpse into rural Mordvin and Russian history and serves
as a gateway to the region’s natural landscapes and smaller
villages.
Reserve "Mordovsky"
Smolny National Park
Along with Russian, the official languages of Mordovia are two Finno-Ugric languages - Erzya and Moksha. Ethnic Mordvins are highly assimilated, and you will be very lucky if you hear Mordovian speech on the street. Street signs are one of the few examples of the use of Mordovian languages in public space.
1. Visa and Entry Requirements (Essential First Step)
US citizens
(and most non-exempt nationalities) require a visa to enter Russia.
There is no e-visa available for US citizens (e-visas exist for citizens
of ~64 other countries).
Tourist visa: Typically a 3-year
multiple-entry visa (up to 6 months per visit). This is the standard
option for Americans under the bilateral agreement.
How to apply
(from the US):
Obtain a Letter of Invitation (LOI) from a Russian
hotel, tour operator, or visa support service (e.g., via hotels in
Saransk or services like RussiaVisa.com).
Fill out the online visa
application form on the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs site.
Book an appointment at a Russian consular office or visa center (e.g.,
Washington DC, New York, Houston, or others).
Submit: passport (valid
3.5+ years beyond entry with blank pages), photos, LOI, travel insurance
covering Russia, and proof of itinerary.
Processing: Usually 4–10
business days (expedited options available); fees ~$100–300+.
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay.
Register your stay with local authorities (hotels usually handle this)
within 7 days of arrival.
Check the latest on the Russian Embassy in
Washington site or kdmid.ru, as rules can shift.
Tip: Book your
LOI and flights only after visa approval. Carry printed copies of
everything.
2. International Arrival: Getting to Russia First
Saransk Airport (SKX) has limited international flights — it is small
and primarily serves domestic routes. Most travelers fly into Moscow
(the main gateway) and connect onward.
From Chicago (ORD) or
other US cities:
No direct flights to Moscow due to sanctions.
Common routes: Chicago → Istanbul (Turkish Airlines, ~10–11h) or
Dubai/Abu Dhabi → Moscow (SVO or DME, several daily options).
Total
to Moscow: 15–25+ hours with layovers. One-way fares often start
~$1,000–1,800+ (check Google Flights, Expedia, or Turkish Airlines).
Alternative European hubs (e.g., via Serbia or other countries with
better connections) are possible but add time.
Upon arrival in
Russia: Clear customs/immigration at the international airport (Moscow
is straightforward but can be busy). Have your visa, migration card
(filled on arrival), and onward ticket ready. Download the Yandex Go app
for taxis and Mir/UnionPay cards or cash for payments.
3.
Domestic Connections to Saransk (Mordovia)
Once in Russia, the
fastest and most convenient options from Moscow (or nearby) are:
By
Plane (Fastest)
Saransk Airport (SKX): Located conveniently near the
city center (taxi ~15–25 minutes, ~300–500 RUB).
From Moscow (SVO –
Sheremetyevo): Direct flights by Aeroflot (twice daily in many
schedules). Flight time: ~1 hour 35–40 minutes.
Cost: Often very
affordable (~$30–100 one-way).
Other airlines (e.g., Azimut, UVT
Aero) may operate seasonally or from other Moscow airports (VKO/DME).
Alternative airports if SKX flights don’t suit: Fly to Penza (PEZ,
~109 km / 2h away by train/bus) or Ulyanovsk/Nizhny Novgorod, then
ground transfer.
From other Russian cities (St. Petersburg, Sochi,
Krasnodar, etc.): Direct or connecting domestic flights exist.
Airport transfer in Saransk: Taxi (Yandex Go or official) or local bus.
The airport handles limited passenger traffic, so it’s quick.
By
Train (Most Comfortable & Scenic Overnight Option)
From Moscow:
Direct overnight trains (2 per day) from Kazansky Railway Terminal (or
sometimes Vostochny Station).
Duration: 8h 39m to ~10h 40m.
Examples: Branded “Mordovia” train or others (e.g., 042Й, 063В, 120М,
296Х).
Cost: Very cheap — ~1,900–4,300 RUB (~$20–50) for 2nd/3rd
class; higher for 1st class/compartment.
Book via Russian
Railways (RZD) site, Tutu.ru, or international agents like
RussianTrain.com (easier for foreign cards). Tickets go on sale ~90 days
ahead.
Arrives at Saransk I railway station (central). Other trains
from Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Penza, Ulyanovsk, etc.
Tip:
Overnight trains are reliable, have dining cars, and arrive early
morning — perfect for a full day in Saransk.
By Bus (Budget Option
from Nearby Regions)
Regular intercity buses from Volga and
central Russia (Penza ~2h, Ulyanovsk ~3h, Nizhny Novgorod ~4h).
Comfortable modern buses; book via local stations or apps. Cheapest for
short hops but slower for long distances.
By Car or Rideshare
(Flexible)
From Moscow: ~617–618 km drive via good highways (M5 or
similar routes). Time: ~8h 50m–9h. Tolls and fuel ~2,500–3,500 RUB.
Rideshare (BlaBlaCar): ~$10–20, 10h.
Taxi/private transfer: Expensive
(~$700+).
Roads are decent; use Yandex Navigator. International
driving permit + Russian insurance recommended.
4. Once in
Saransk / Mordovia
Local transport: Buses, trolleybuses, minibuses
(marshrutki), and Yandex Go taxis (cheap and reliable). The republic is
small — most sights are in/around Saransk.
Nearby connections: Easy
day trips or onward travel to Penza, Ulyanovsk, etc.
Practical
Tips for a Smooth Trip
Currency & Payments: Bring USD/EUR cash and
exchange in Moscow or Saransk (banks/airports). Western cards often
don’t work due to sanctions — use Mir cards if you have one, or cash
everywhere.
Best time: Summer for festivals/culture; winter is cold.
Health/Safety: Standard travel insurance. Tap water is safe in cities;
English is limited outside Saransk.
Booking resources: Rome2Rio for
comparisons, RZD.ru or Tutu.travel for trains, Aeroflot/SkyScanner for
flights, Yandex Go for local rides.
Total example from Chicago: 1–2
days door-to-door (US → Moscow → SKX or train), budget $1,500–3,000+
round-trip + visa.
The Republic of Mordovia (also known as Mordoviya or Mordvinia) is a
federal subject of Russia located in the central part of European
Russia, within the Volga Federal District. It sits in the eastern
section of the vast East European Plain, roughly midway between Moscow
(about 650 km to the west) and the Volga River. Its coordinates center
around 54.4°N 44.5°E. The capital is Saransk, and the republic covers an
area of approximately 26,200 km² (10,100 sq mi).
It borders five
other Russian federal subjects internally: Nizhny Novgorod Oblast to the
north, the Chuvash Republic to the northeast and east, Ulyanovsk Oblast
to the east and southeast, Penza Oblast to the south and southwest, and
Ryazan Oblast to the west and northwest. Geographically, it lies in the
middle Volga River basin, between the Oka and Sura river systems.
Terrain and Topography
Mordovia occupies a gently rolling plain
dissected by a dense network of ravines, gullies (washes), and river
valleys. The western portion belongs to the Oka–Don Plain, while the
central and eastern parts rise into the Volga Upland. This transition
creates subtle elevation changes rather than dramatic relief. The
average elevation is around 177 meters, with the highest point reaching
324 meters (1,063 ft) at the intersection of roads near Bolshoy Maresev,
Mokshaley, Pyaigiley, and Picheury in the eastern upland area.
The
landscape features broad, shallow, and often swampy river valleys
(especially along the Moksha in the west). Erosion has carved numerous
gullies into the plains, contributing to varied local topography. Much
of the original steppe and forest-steppe has been modified by
agriculture, but remnants of natural diversity persist in protected
zones.
Hydrography: Rivers, Lakes, and Drainage
The republic
is well-watered and forms part of the Volga River basin, with roughly
53% draining via the Moksha River (a tributary of the Oka) in the west
and 47% via the Sura River (a direct Volga tributary) in the east. Major
rivers include:
Moksha River — dominant in the west, with a
broad, shallow, swampy valley.
Sura River — prominent in the east.
Others: Alatyr (Rator in Erzya), Issa, Satis, Sivin, and Vad.
Sources cite 114 to 155 named rivers (with total lengths in the
thousands of km when including tributaries); some broader counts reach
over 1,500 watercourses if very small streams are included. River
valleys often feature floodplain meadows and wetlands.
There are
hundreds of lakes—estimates range from about 139 larger ones to roughly
500 total, including many small, riverine, and karst (sinkhole) lakes
concentrated in the northwest. The largest karst lake is Yendovishche.
Numerous reservoirs and ponds also dot the landscape for water
management and agriculture.
Climate
Mordovia has a moderately
to markedly continental climate, characterized by cold winters, warm
summers, and relatively even but variable precipitation. Average January
temperatures hover around −10°C to −12°C (14°F to 10°F), though northern
cold snaps can plunge readings to −40°C (−40°F). July averages +19°C to
+20°C (66°F to 68°F). Annual precipitation is about 500 mm (20 in), with
higher amounts in the west (up to 500 mm) and slightly less in the east;
rainfall peaks in summer but is highly variable, occasionally leading to
droughts. Snow cover persists for much of winter.
Soils,
Vegetation, and Natural Zones
The republic lies on the boundary
between the forest-steppe zone and the zone of coniferous and
broad-leaved (mixed) forests. Original vegetation included mixed forests
(oak, lime/linden, maple, ash, birch, pine, and some spruce) alongside
wooded steppe areas. Today, forests cover roughly 27% of the territory,
with significant clearance for agriculture. Soils are predominantly
leached or degraded chernozems (fertile black earths) and gray forest
soils, with floodplain meadows along rivers and some sandy or podzolic
variants in forested uplands.
This transitional position supports
high biodiversity. Protected areas showcase old-growth broadleaf forests
(oak, elm, linden), pine stands, meadows, and wetland ecosystems.
Natural Resources and Protected Areas
Key resources include peat
(used locally for power), mineral waters, medicinal muds, building
materials (clays, loams, sands, marl, chalk, diatomites), and unique
fossilized moraine oak. Underground artesian waters support domestic
needs.
Two federal-level protected territories stand out:
Mordovia State Nature Reserve (named after P.G. Smidovich, ~32,000 ha) —
in the northwest along the Moksha River, featuring pine, birch, oak, and
linden forests in a forest-steppe transition; rich in flora (hundreds of
species) and invertebrates.
Smolny National Park — preserves
additional forest and steppe landscapes.
These areas conserve
representative ecosystems amid the republic’s agricultural and populated
landscape.
Flora (Vegetation and Plant Diversity)
Mordovia’s vegetation
reflects its position in the Sarmatic mixed forests ecoregion. Pine
forests thrive on sandy soils, while broadleaf and mixed communities
appear in richer or floodplain areas. Secondary birch and aspen stands
often replace logged or burned primary forests (e.g., after the 2010
wildfire). Floodplain oak-alder groves and Sphagnum mires add diversity,
while upland meadows and steppe patches host grassland species.
Key vegetation types:
Pine-dominated forests (Pinus sylvestris):
Dominant in the MSNR on sandy terraces; pure or mixed with birch.
Mixed coniferous-broadleaf forests: Spruce (Picea abies), linden (Tilia
cordata), oak (Quercus robur), aspen (Populus tremula), and black alder
(Alnus glutinosa).
Floodplain communities: Oak-alder along the Moksha
River; extensive meadows and wetlands.
Mires and bogs:
Sphagnum-dominated in lowlands.
Open areas: Floodplain/upland
meadows, steppe remnants, and agricultural edges with grasses and herbs.
Species diversity (republic-wide estimates ~1,400–1,472 vascular
plants; reserves are hotspots):
MSNR: 788–819 vascular plants,
77–179 mosses, 136–361 lichens (plus fungi and algae).
Native flora
is well-documented and stable (>99% identified in the reserve), with
some increase in recorded species over decades due to better surveys.
Alien species have also risen.
Notable or characteristic plants
include many orchids, irises, and feather grasses in steppe/meadow
patches. The Red Data Book of the Republic of Mordovia (Vol. 1) lists
~236 rare plants and fungi, with dozens protected in reserves (e.g.,
lady’s slipper orchid Cypripedium calceolus, military orchid Orchis
militaris, Iris aphylla, Stipa pennata). Seven vascular plant species
occur in Mordovia only within the MSNR, underscoring its conservation
value.
Fauna
Mordovia’s fauna is rich due to habitat mosaics
where taiga, nemoral (broadleaf), steppe, and wetland species overlap.
Protected areas harbor the highest diversity; many species are Red
Book-listed regionally or nationally. Invertebrates dominate overall
biodiversity.
Mammals (~60–73 species)
Large forest ungulates
and predators mix with wetland and steppe specialists. Iconic species
include:
Moose (Alces alces) — largest mammal, common in forests and
river thickets.
Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) — re-established
engineer of wetlands along rivers and oxbows.
Wild boar, roe deer
(Capreolus capreolus), and introduced/acclimatized species like spotted
deer and raccoon dog.
Predators: wolf, lynx, brown bear (taiga
element, rarer), fox, badger, marten, otter, American mink (introduced).
Smaller mammals: squirrels, dormice, voles, shrews, hedgehogs, bats (11
species), and the rare Russian desman (Desmana moschata) in floodplains.
Rodents and insectivores alone total ~40 species. Hunting species (e.g.,
hare, squirrel, boar, moose) number ~20.
Birds (~216–258 species;
~192 breeding)
A mix of forest, wetland, and open-country birds.
Forest species include Western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), black
grouse, hazel grouse, woodpeckers (including three-toed and middle
spotted), and passerines (nightingales, tits, warblers). Raptors and
owls (goshawk, buzzard, golden eagle, osprey, white-tailed eagle) are
notable. Wetlands host bitterns, storks (black stork), herons, grebes,
ducks, and waders. Steppe/meadow edges support larks, partridges, and
harriers. Nine Important Bird Areas exist in the republic.
Reptiles (7 species) and Amphibians (10–11 species)
Reptiles: common
lizards, viviparous lizard, slowworm, and common viper (Red Book). The
European pond turtle is regionally rare. Amphibians include newts
(common and great crested), various frogs (lake, pond, edible, grass,
and red-bellied), and toads. Many are Red Book-listed regionally (e.g.,
fire-bellied toad, gray toad).
Fish and Lampreys (~40 fish
species + 2 lampreys)
Rivers and reservoirs support carp family
dominants (roach, bream, crucian carp, ide), perch, pike, and sturgeons
(sterlet and Russian sturgeon — Red Book). Some species are acclimatized
(e.g., rotan). Lampreys (Caspian and brook) are rare.
Invertebrates (exceptionally diverse; hotspot in MSNR)
Over 6,800
species recorded in the MSNR alone across 10 phyla, with insects
dominant (~6,000+ species). Coleoptera (beetles) exceed 2,100 species in
the reserve (including 95 Scarabaeoidea). Lepidoptera, Diptera,
Hymenoptera (e.g., sawflies), and others are well-represented. Many new
regional records and even new-to-science species have been described
here. Spiders, mollusks, and other groups add further richness.
The Republic of Mordovia is located in a time zone designated by international standard as the Moscow Time Zone (MSK). The offset relative to UTC is +3:00. Time in the republic corresponds to geographic zone time.
Prehistory and Early History (Neolithic to 12th Century)
Archaeological evidence shows human habitation from the Neolithic era
onward. The Mordvin ancestors, Volga Finnic tribes, developed distinct
material cultures (e.g., burial practices and metalwork) by the first
millennium AD. Written sources first mention them in the 6th century (as
“Mordens” by Jordanes). By the 7th–11th centuries, they paid tribute to
and traded with Volga Bulgaria (a powerful Muslim state on the
Volga-Kama) while facing pressure from Kievan Rus’ principalities to the
west.
In the 11th–early 13th centuries, the region became a contested
frontier. Russian princes (especially from Vladimir-Suzdal) and Volga
Bulgarian rulers vied for control of Mordovian lands and trade routes.
Mordvin tribes built fortified settlements (“firmaments” in chronicles),
such as those at Windree and Fedorovskoe. A professional warrior class
emerged, and by the early 13th century, a large military alliance
formed—described by a Hungarian missionary (Julian) as the “kingdom of
the Mordvans.”
The most significant early political entity was the
Principality of Purgaz (or Purgasova Volost, late 12th–mid-13th
century), led by the Erzya prince Purgaz (Inyazor). Centered between the
Moksha and Tesha rivers (including the Sarov fortress as a key
trade-political hub), it represented a brief unification of Erzya and
Moksha tribes. Purgaz allied with Volga Bulgaria against Russian
colonization. A civil war erupted with the Moksha prince Puresh (backed
by Vladimir-Suzdal). The principality survived Rus’ campaigns (notably
in 1228 and ending in 1232) but marked the height of pre-Mongol Mordvin
statehood.
Mongol Conquest and the Golden Horde (13th–15th
Centuries)
The Mongol invasion devastated the region. The first blow
came in 1237; further ruin followed in 1239, and full subjugation
occurred by 1242 under Batu Khan. The Mordvin lands became part of the
Golden Horde as the Mukhsha Ulus (with Mohsha/Muksha as a major
administrative center where coins were minted from 1313). Local feudal
nobles retained some autonomy, settling near rivers in defensible sites.
After the Golden Horde’s fragmentation in the 1430s–mid-15th century,
Mordovian territories split: western areas fell under the emerging Grand
Duchy of Moscow (Muscovy), while eastern parts joined the Kazan Khanate.
Internecine Horde strife and Timur’s late-14th-century campaigns
weakened central control.
Incorporation into the Russian State
(16th–19th Centuries)
The decisive turning point was Ivan IV’s (“the
Terrible”) conquest of the Kazan Khanate in 1552. Roughly 10,000 Mordvin
warriors reportedly participated on the Russian side. The entire
Mordovian territory came under Russian control. A system of provincial
administration, voivodeships, and zasechnye defensive lines (e.g.,
Shatsk-Kadom-Temnikov-Alatyr in the late 16th century;
Insar-Atemar-Saransk in the 1640s) secured the frontier against
remaining Tatar raids.
Mordvin elites quickly adopted Russian
language and customs, while rural populations preserved traditional
culture, agriculture, crafts (carpentry, tanning, pottery), and
animist-shamanist beliefs. Orthodox Christianization intensified in the
mid-18th century under Catherine II and later emperors, though
conversion was gradual and incomplete—pagan elements persisted in
folklore and rituals. The New Testament appeared in Erzya in 1821. The
region fell under Penza Governorate (and parts of Tambov, Simbirsk, and
Nizhny Novgorod provinces) through the 18th–19th centuries. Peter the
Great’s 1708–1719 provincial reforms and Catherine II’s 1775 reforms
further integrated it administratively.
Land grants to Russian nobles
(e.g., Golitsyns, Naryshkins) expanded serfdom and estate ownership.
Mordvins served in border defense, paid yasak (tribute), and engaged in
trade and forestry. Uprisings occurred during the Time of Troubles
(1612, when Mordvin forces aided the Second Militia) and the 17th–18th
centuries (e.g., alongside Chuvash and Mari). The 18th–19th centuries
saw economic growth in potash, distilling, metallurgy, and later
forestry/railways (Moscow-Kazan line, 1893–1902). A small Mordvin
intelligentsia emerged by the early 20th century (teachers, writers like
Z.F. Dorofeev).
Soviet Era (1917–1991)
The 1917 Revolution and
Civil War brought Soviet power by late 1917–early 1918; Mordovian uyezds
served as both front and rear for the Eastern Front. In the 1920s,
Soviet “national delimitation” policies created Mordvin autonomous
structures. Written Erzya (1922) and Moksha (1923) languages were
standardized in Cyrillic. The Mordovian Okrug formed on 16 July 1928,
became an autonomous oblast on 10 January 1930, and the Mordovian
Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR) on 20 December 1934.
The
1930s featured forced collectivization, industrialization, and
widespread use of Gulag labor (e.g., Temlag camp); two of the USSR’s 12
major forced-labor camps were in Mordovia, with prisoners building
railroads, logging, and sawmills. Erzya and Moksha literatures
flourished briefly in the 1920s–1930s before Stalinist repression. By
the early 1940s, the region industrialized (ropes, textiles, food
processing, timber). During World War II, ~240,000 residents were
drafted (131,000 killed or missing); evacuated factories from western
USSR boosted post-war industry.
Mordovia remained a conservative,
rural-industrial ASSR through the late Soviet period, with significant
penal colonies (some still operating today).
Post-Soviet and
Contemporary Period (1991–Present)
In 1990, the Mordovian ASSR
declared itself the Mordovian Soviet Socialist Republic but—unlike most
other republics—did not proclaim full sovereignty and stayed firmly
within the Russian Federation. It was renamed the Republic of Mordovia
on 25 January 1994; a new constitution followed in 1995.
The early
1990s brought economic decline amid market transition, but stabilization
occurred later. A short-lived presidency was abolished in 1993.
Culturally, there have been revival efforts among Erzya and Moksha
intellectuals (e.g., debates over the “Mordva” label, promotion of
native languages, and epics), though Russification legacies and urban
migration persist. The republic celebrated the “millennium of unity”
with Russia in 2012. Today it is known for agriculture, industry, sports
(notably racewalking), and its prison system, while maintaining Mordvin
cultural institutions (museums, theaters, folklore).
The very first museum in Mordovia was opened in the city of Temnikov
with the support of local nobles (among the patrons were the descendants
of Admiral Ushakov, the grandparents of the writer Kuprin, the
descendants of the metallurgists Demidovs, etc.) The museum collections
included more than 3 thousand exhibits. In 1956, the museum was closed
(around the same time, all but one of the Temnikov churches were
destroyed), the exhibits were transferred to the Republican Museum of
Local Lore.
Modern largest museums: Mordovian Republican United
Museum of Local Lore with 9 branches in the regions of the republic,
Mordovian Republican Museum of Fine Arts named after S. D. Erzya with 3
branches, Temnikovsky Museum of History and Local Lore named after
Admiral F. F. Ushakov, Museum of Military and Labor Feat c branch - the
museum of A. I. Polezhaev. In addition to state ones, the republic has
more than a hundred small museums on a voluntary basis, including those
created at educational institutions and some enterprises.
The
largest library in the republic is the Pushkin National Library. As part
of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of Higher Professional
Education "Mordovian State University named after. N.P. Ogarev" there is
also the largest Scientific Library named after. M. M. Bakhtin. M. M.
Bakhtin is the most prominent Russian philosopher and thinker, theorist
of European culture and art. Lived and worked in Saransk.
At the
beginning of the 20th century, the sculptor Stepan Dmitrievich Erzya,
who took his pseudonym from the name of the Mordovian people “Erzya”,
gained world fame. The significance of his work is widely promoted in
the republic, since in his works he paid significant attention to
Mordovian culture.
Composer Leonid Ivanovich Voinov became famous
in Mordovia. Streets in Saransk and Temnikov, music schools in Saransk
and Temnikov, and an orchestra of Russian folk instruments are named
after him.
The State Puppet Theater of the Republic of Mordovia
is famous in Russia. The main repertoire of the theater is folk tales.
National Erzya and Moksha culture is represented by several popular
performers performing modern songs in the Moksha and Erzya languages, as
well as several groups performing traditional music. Among them, the
Torama group, founded in 1990 by Vladimir Romashkin, stands out.
Performers of Moksha and Erzya songs present their repertoire in the
republic, as well as at events dedicated to Finno-Ugric culture in
Russia and abroad.
Funds are not provided for the creation of a
film studio in the urban district of Saransk.
The Republic of Mordovia is one of the recognized centers of the
Finno-Ugric world. Since July 2002, the central office of the
Association of Finno-Ugric Peoples of Russia has been located in
Saransk.
In 2006, on behalf of the President of the Russian
Federation V.V. Putin and with the participation of the Ministry of
Regional Development of the Russian Federation, the Volga Region Center
for the Cultures of Finno-Ugric Peoples was created in Mordovia. Its
structural unit is the Interregional Scientific Center for Finno-Ugric
Studies of Mordovian State University named after N. P. Ogarev, which
operates the cultural sector on the basis of the Institute of National
Culture of Moscow State University named after N. P. Ogarev. The
scientific journal “Finno-Ugric World” and “Finno-Ugric Newspaper” are
published in Saransk, which are circulated both in Russia and abroad.
In July 2007, the international festival “Shumbrat, Finno-Ugria!”
was held in Saransk, in which about 3,000 representatives of Finno-Ugric
peoples from all over Russia and foreign countries took part. In 2009,
the Republic hosted the IV Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples of the
Russian Federation.
In August 2012, the Republic of Mordovia
celebrated the Millennium of the unity of the Mordovian people with the
peoples of the Russian state - an event of national significance.
In the republic, since the 1960s, the number of schools teaching
Mordovian languages has gradually decreased: in the 1960/61 academic
year there were 550, by 1988/89 there were 319 left. In the 1990s, there
was a sharp increase in the number of students studying the Erzya
language as a subject in state and municipal schools of the republic: in
1990 there were 5802, and in 2000 there were already 7640. On the
contrary, the number of children studying Moksha decreased: from 10774
to 7495. In 2010, out of 419 schools, 161st were taught in their native
language ( non-Russian) language: in 137 schools - in one of the
Mordovian languages, in 24 - in Tatar. In other schools, Mordovian
languages were taught in primary grades in 2010. There are 9 higher
educational institutions in the Republic of Mordovia.
Mordovian
State University named after Nikolai Platonovich Ogarev. Founded on
October 1, 1931 as a Pedagogical Institute, on October 2, 1957 it was
transformed into a university. Currently there are 10 faculties and 7
institutes. In total, about 25,000 students study at Moscow State
University. It is the largest classical university in the Volga region.
It ranks 42nd in the ranking of classical universities and 13th in the
ranking of universities that train the country's personnel for the
highest echelons of power. In 2010, it received the category “National
Research University”.
March 2, 2014 at the Information and
Situational Center of Moscow State University. N.P. Ogarev held a round
table, the result of the work was the opening in Mordovia of a regional
branch of the All-Russian Interethnic Union of Youth.
Mordovian
State Pedagogical Institute named after Makar Evsevievich Evseviev.
Founded June 30, 1962. Currently there are 9 faculties. About 6,000
students study. In the 2004 rating of the Russian Educational
Institution, the institute took 36th place among 78 pedagogical
universities.
Saransk Cooperative Institute of the Russian University
of Cooperation. Founded on September 23, 1976. About 7,000 students
study at SKI RUK. The Saransk Cooperative Institute provides three-stage
training: lyceum - technical school - university. The cooperative
technical school trains mid-level specialists in 5 specialties, higher
education is conducted in 4 specialties. In 2005, the university became
a diploma winner of the “Best Goods of Mordovia” competition in the
“Services” category.
Mordovian Humanitarian Institute. The Institute
began its work on November 19, 1993 as a branch of the Moscow External
Humanitarian University. Since 1994 it has been functioning as an
independent institution of higher professional education. Currently,
about 2000 people are studying at the university. Training of
specialists is carried out in 3 specialties in 9 departments. In April
2004, the institute was awarded the international award of the Global
Resources Management Association “Gold Ingot” as the most sustainable
enterprise in Russia and Eastern Europe.
Ruzaevsky Institute of
Mechanical Engineering (branch) of Mordovia State University. N. P.
Ogareva.
Saransk branch of the Modern Humanitarian Academy.
Middle
Volga (Saransk) branch of the Russian Legal Academy of the Ministry of
Justice of the Russian Federation.
Branch of the Volgo-Vyatka Academy
of Public Administration in Saransk.
Branch of the Samara State
Transport University in Ruzaevka.
Saransk Theological Seminary.
Mordovia is one of 15 regions in which, from September 1, 2006, the
subject of Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture was introduced as a regional
component of education.
The main world religions are represented on the territory of
Mordovia: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, etc. Most residents of
the republic profess Orthodoxy. The region is represented by 3 dioceses:
Saransk, Krasnoslobodsk and Ardatovsk. The ruling bishop is Metropolitan
Zinovy of Saransk and Mordovia. The central cathedral of Saransk is the
Cathedral of the holy righteous warrior Theodore Ushakov.
On the
territory of the republic there are ancient monasteries that have become
places of pilgrimage for thousands of people from all over the country.
Monasteries of the republic: Sanaksarsky monastery (Temnikov), St. John
the Theologian (Makarovka village), Holy Trinity (B. Chufarovo village),
Alexander Nevsky (Kimlyai village); female: Paraskeva-Voznesensky
(Paigarm village), Svyato-Tikhvinsky (Kurilovo village), Svyato-Olginsky
(Insar). There are 3 spiritual administrations of Muslims in Mordovia -
the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Mordovia, the
Regional Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Mordovia and the Central
Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Mordovia.
In close
cooperation between traditional religious organizations and republican
ministries and departments, various events are regularly held to help
preserve and strengthen public harmony, interethnic and interfaith peace
in the republic.
In May 2010, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Republic
of Mordovia and the Ministry of Sports, Tourism and Youth Policy of the
Russian Federation, which provides for cooperation in the development of
22 sports in the region. Mordovia has been identified as the base center
for the development of 7 summer and 3 winter “core” Olympic sports. In
2013, it is planned to increase their number to 22. At a meeting of the
Council on Physical Education and Sports under the President of the
Russian Federation, the Republic of Mordovia was named among the four
best regions in the country for the development of mass physical
education movement.
The list of Mordovian athletes-candidates for
Russian national sports teams includes 112 people. Mordovia trained 150
athletes in various sports for the London Olympics. Per 100,000
inhabitants, Mordovia exhibits more than 18 national athletes. The
symbolic Mordovian team includes a large number of winners and
prize-winners of the most prestigious competitions. It includes 3
Champions and 3 Olympic medalists, 27 World Champions, 20 European
Champions, 21 World and European Cup winners, 19 European and World
Championship winners. Among the best are Olympic champions Alexei
Mishin, Olga Kaniskina, Valery Borchin, and Olympic medalist Denis
Nizhegorodov. At the youth and adult levels, the Mordovian sports school
has victories of Stanislav Emelyanov, Tatyana Shemyakina, Alexey
Bartsaykin, Vyacheslav Pakhomov, Alexey Yufkin and many others.
Among the athletes who moved to Mordovia from other regions of the
country are discus thrower Daria Pishchalnikova, track and field athlete
Yuri Borzakovsky, and shot putter Anna Avdeeva. Since August 2011, the
leading Perm figure skating coach, Lyudmila Kalinina, has been working
in Mordovia. Some of her students moved with her. Among them are
European Championship medalists and Olympic Games participants Vera
Bazarova and Yuri Larionov.
Athletes of Mordovia at the 2012
Olympics
At the 2012 Olympics in London, representatives of Mordovia
won five awards. In race walking, medals were won by students of the
Mordovian race walking school under the leadership of the Honored Coach
of Russia Viktor Chegin. “Gold” was won by Elena Lashmanova at a
distance of 20 km and Sergey Kirdyapkin at a distance of 50 km. “Silver”
goes to Olga Kaniskina. Two medals were won by the athletes of the
school of highest sportsmanship. Discus thrower Daria Pishchalnikova
opened the scoring for Mordovia with her “silver”, and runner Ekaterina
Poistogova finished it with “bronze”.
At the 2012 Paralympic
Games in London, Mordovian athlete Evgeny Shvetsov became a three-time
champion in the 100, 400 and 800 meters. At the same time, he set new
world records at all three distances.
The first newspaper on the territory of Mordovia was published in
1906, when the newspaper “Muzhik” began publishing in Saransk. Today,
about 100 print media outlets are registered in Mordovia; Branches of
major Russian newspapers operate.
The republic publishes 1 daily
newspaper - “Izvestia of Mordovia” (published on Tuesdays, Wednesdays
and Fridays) and the weekly newspapers “ProGorod”, “Stolitsa S”,
“Evening Saransk”, “Mordovia”, “Young Republic”, “Selskaya Gazeta”, “TV
Week”, “Telesem”, “Mokshen Pravda”, “Erzyan Pravda”, “Yuldash-Sputnik”.
22 regional newspapers are also published.
Newspapers
"Evening Saransk";
“Voice of Mordovian University”;
"From hand to hand";
"Izvestia of Mordovia";
“Moksha truth” - in
Moksha language;
"Young Republic";
"Capital C";
"Number six";
“Erzyan Mastor” - in Erzyan language;
“Erzyan truth” - in Erzyan
language;
"Rural newspaper"
“Yuldash” (“Sputnik”) - in the Tatar
language;
"Informagro" - industry newspaper;
"ZIL - Earth and
People"
"Business world";
"Integration of
Education";
"Regionology";
There are three
regional TV channels in the republic - the VGTRK Rossiya branch, the
private TV Network of Mordovia (channel 10) and the People's Television
of Mordovia (NTM). There are also 12 TVK “Saransk Television”, which is
a city channel.
In addition, in Saransk at the Mordovian State
University. N.P. Ogarev, there is Ogarev-TV, which broadcasts within the
university, as well as in the format of Internet television.
Internet publications
There are 3 regional news agencies in the
republic: “Vestnik of Mordovia” (http://vestnik-rm.ru),
“MordovMedia” (http://www.mordovmedia.ru)
and “Info-RM” (http://info-rm.com).
The Internet portal Website of government bodies of the Republic of
Mordovia (e-mordovia.ru) also operates in the format of an information
agency. Among the independent online publications in the region, we can
highlight the portal “City Ratings” (http://cityratings.ru/)
and the online newspaper “Zakonovest” (https://zakonovest.ru)
The basic law is the Constitution of the Republic of Mordovia.
In 1991, the post of president was established in Mordovia, like
some other former autonomous republics of the RSFSR (in the “wave” of
sovereignization).
In the popular elections that same year,
Vasily Guslyannikov, a physicist by training and a senior researcher at
the Institute of Power Electronics, who at that time headed the
republican branch of the Democratic Russia political movement, was
elected president.
In 1993, the Supreme Council of Mordovia
abolished the post of president, on the basis of which V. Guslyannikov
was removed from this post. Guslyannikov appealed the actions of the
highest legislative body of the republic to the Constitutional Court of
Russia, but the Constitutional Court recognized them as consistent with
the Constitution of Russia.
In September 1995, Nikolai
Merkushkin, who had held the post of Chairman of the State Assembly of
Mordovia since January 1995, was elected Head of the Republic of
Mordovia. N. Merkushkin won the elections of the head of the republic
also in 1998 and 2003. Despite the fact that Merkushkin’s third term was
expiring in 2008, he raised the issue of trust with the Russian
President, which was resolved in favor of the current head of Mordovia
and he remained for a fourth term.
On May 10, 2012, N.I.
Merkushkin left the post of Head of the Republic of Mordovia in
connection with his resignation and one-time appointment as acting
governor of the Samara region. Vladimir Volkov was appointed temporary
acting Head of the Republic of Mordovia. On May 14, 2012, the State
Assembly of the Republic of Mordovia approved Vladimir Volkov as Head of
the Republic of Mordovia. On November 18, 2020, Artyom Alekseevich
Zdunov was appointed acting head of the Republic of Mordovia.
The
Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Mordovia from 2012 to 2021
was Vladimir Sushkov. At the 53rd session of the State Assembly of the
Republic of Moldova, held on February 26, 2021, the resignation of the
government of the Republic of Mordovia was announced.
In the
Republic of Mordovia there are regional representations of the main
political parties: “United Russia”, Communist Party of the Russian
Federation, LDPR, “A Just Russia”, “Yabloko”, “Right Cause”. The
parliament of the republic - the State Assembly of the Republic of
Moldova - includes deputies from United Russia and the Communist Party
of the Russian Federation. However, other political forces have the
opportunity to work publicly, for example, in the Public Chamber of
Mordovia.
In 2016, positive dynamics were noted in all sectors of the economy,
including industry, agriculture, and construction. Investments in fixed
assets have increased, and interest in the republic from foreign
investors is increasing. The farmers of Mordovia achieved impressive
results - production growth in the industry amounted to 112 percent. For
the first time, processing industry enterprises have equaled the
production volumes of large-scale industry.
The volume of work in
the construction industry of the republic increased by 15 percent and
exceeded 27 billion rubles. This was largely facilitated by the
unprecedented program of preferential mortgages launched in Mordovia at
5 percent per annum. The program has proven its effectiveness, 2
thousand people have already taken advantage of the unique conditions,
thereby an additional 4 billion rubles have been invested in the
construction industry of the republic.
In 2016, the average
salary in the republic increased by 7 percent, and inflation was 5.5%.
Due to the active modernization of existing and the creation of new
modern production facilities, the republic has achieved results in
innovative development. Mordovia has become one of the leading regions
in the country in terms of the share of innovative products in the total
volume of industrial production, which today exceeds 28%. This is almost
twice the national average.
Positive dynamics are also observed
in the social sphere. From 2013 to 2016, the republic recorded a
migration increase in population. In 2016 it amounted to about 3
thousand people.
Transport routes connecting Moscow with the
Volga region, the Urals and Siberia pass through the republic. The
capital of Mordovia, the city of Saransk, became one of the cities that
hosted matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
They grow grains
(59.3% of the sown area), feed crops (32.4%), potatoes and vegetables
(4.4%), and industrial crops (4%). There is meat and dairy cattle
breeding and poultry farming; They also raise pigs, sheep and goats.
At the end of 2011, Saransk was recognized as the winner for the
title of “The Most Comfortable Urban (Rural) Settlement in Russia” among
Category I cities. The competition commission assessed municipalities
according to 60 criteria, the main ones being improvement and
infrastructure development. Saransk has participated in the competition
since 2004, winning a II degree diploma 4 times and a III degree diploma
2 times.
In 2012, Saransk took second place in the World Bank's
Doing Business in Russia ranking. The results of the subnational study
by the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) were
presented on June 21, 2012. The Doing business (investment
attractiveness) rating is one of the main ones used by investors when
making decisions about investing in the economy of a country or region.
The results of the study, containing a comparative analysis of the
regulation of business activities in 30 cities of Russia, showed that it
is easier to register a company, obtain construction permits, connect to
power grids and register ownership in the capital of Mordovia.
Alekseevskoe deposit of cement raw materials - used at the plants of
Mordovcement OJSC in the Chamza region.
Deposit of phosphorites, oil
shale and minor iron ores.
Atemar limestone deposit
The main industries of Mordovia are mechanical engineering and
metalworking. Also developed are iron foundries, chemical and
petrochemical industries, light and food industries. Energy is based on
the use of thermal power plants. According to 2016 data, the share of
innovative products in the total volume of shipped products amounted to
up to 30 percent. Leading industrial enterprises of Mordovia are among
the best enterprises in the Volga Federal District and Russia; they work
closely with foreign partners. There is a Saransk branch of the brewing
corporation "SAN InBev", a branch of the Danone-Unimilk group of
companies "Saransky Dairy Plant"
Enterprise "Lisma";
Saransk
plant "Rezinotekhnika";
Ruzaevsky glass factory;
Ruzaevsky
Chemical Engineering Plant;
Saransk dump truck plant of the GAZ
group;
Saransk Car Repair Plant;
Enterprise "Mordovcement";
Enterprise "Magma";
Enterprise "Lato";
Saranskkabel plant;
Enterprise "Electrovypryamitel";
Carriage Manufacturing Company of
Mordovia;
Saransk Instrument-Making Plant;
As of the beginning of 2020, 13 thermal power plants with a total
capacity of 433.5 MW were operating in Mordovia. In 2019, they produced
1,761.4 million kWh of electricity.
Agriculture
As of January
1, 2020, the rural population was 285,663 people, about 36% of the
population of the Republic of Mordovia.
According to natural and
climatic conditions, Mordovia belongs to the Middle Volga (7) region,
along with the Penza, Samara, Ulyanovsk regions and Tatarstan.
Agriculture is one of the main sectors of material production in the
republic.
Livestock
In terms of production of eggs, milk and
cattle meat per capita, the region ranks first in Russia.
In
January-December 2021 farms of all categories produced 390.9 thousand
tons of livestock and poultry for slaughter (in live weight), milk -
484.2 thousand tons, eggs - 1555.3 million pieces. Milk yield per cow in
agricultural organizations in 2021. amounted to 7610 kilograms (in 2020
- 7397 kilograms), the egg production of one laying hen was 294 eggs (in
2020 - 303 pieces).
As of July 1, 2021, the number of cattle in
farms of all categories amounted to 194 thousand heads (2.3% less
compared to the same date of the previous year), of which 72.2 were cows
(0.1% less) , number of pigs – 702.7 (33.2% more), sheep and goats –
36.8 (5.3% less).
In 2020, 473.1 thousand tons of milk were
produced (+4.4%).
In 2019, the average milk yield per cow was
7108 kg (+404 kg), the average egg production of laying hens was 313
pcs. 233.7 thousand tons of meat in live weight were produced (+5.2
thousand tons), eggs 1520.4 million pieces (+62.3 million)
(Mordoviastat)
CJSC "AgroArdatov" ("Talina");
Agrosoyuz LLC;
OJSC Poultry Farm Atemarskaya;
OJSC "Atyashevsky Butter Plant";
LLC Meat Processing Complex Atyashevsky (Talina);
LLC "Vector";
JSC "Yolochka";
OJSC "Cheese-making plant "Ichalkovsky"";
Municipal Unitary Enterprise "Krasnoslobodsky Butter Factory";
JSC
"Lamzur";
OJSC "Moloko";
LLC "Moloko";
LLC Agrofirm
Mordovzernoresurs;
JSC "Dream";
CJSC "Mordovian Bacon" ("Talina");
“Mordovian bacon-Kovylkino” (“Talina”);
OJSC "Mordovian Bread
Products Plant" ("Talina");
OJSC "Mordovian Agro-Industrial
Association";
JSC "Mordovspirt";
JSC "Nadezhda";
OJSC “Agrofirm
“Norov””;
State Unitary Enterprise RM “Meat processing plant
“Obrochensky””;
OJSC "Agrofirm "Oktyabrskaya""
Romodanovosugar
LLC;
OJSC "Sun Inbev";
OJSC Saransk Pasta Factory;
OJSC Saransk
Bread Factory;
OJSC "Saransky Cannery";
CJSC Meat Processing
Complex Saransky (Talina);
OJSC Saransky Dairy Plant (branch of
Danone-Unimilk);
Agro-industrial holding "Talina";
LLC "Agrofirma
Temnikovskaya";
CJSC "Tengushevskoye";
State Unitary Enterprise RM
“Teplichnoe”;
CJSC Meat Processing Complex Torbeevsky (Talina);
OJSC "Bread Factory";
OJSC APO "Elecom";
LLC "Bakhet";
LLC
"Agrofirm "Yubileinaya"";
LLC "Cheese plant "Sarmich"";
JSC
"Ruzovo"
In 2020, in farms of all categories, the gross grain harvest (in weight after processing) amounted to 1621.8 thousand tons, which is 32.2% more than in 2019. The gross harvest of open and protected ground vegetables increased by 2.0%, potatoes decreased by 15.3%. In the composition of grain and leguminous crops in farms of all categories in 2020. compared to 2019 There is a decrease in the gross harvest of barley with an increase in the production of wheat, rye, triticale, oats, corn for grain and leguminous crops.
As of the beginning of 2020, 13 thermal power plants (including the largest in the region Saranskaya CHPP-2 with 280 MW) and one small hydroelectric power station with a total capacity of 433.8 MW were operating in Mordovia. In 2019, they produced 1,761.4 million kWh of electricity.
“Historical” direction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, large
locomotive depot and wagon depot Ruzaevka, wagon depot Saransk, wagon
depot Red Knot
Double-track electrified direct current line Red Knot
- Saransk - Ruzaevka - Penza
Ruzaevka station is a major junction
of the Kuibyshev Railway, receiving trains in the eastern direction. In
fact, today Ruzaevka is becoming part of a single agglomeration with
Saransk. The journey from Ruzaevka railway station to the center of
Saransk takes 15-20 minutes.
Single-track non-electrified lines
Red Knot - Kanash, Red Knot - Arzamas and Kustarevka - Vernadovka
Saransk Airport
A section of the M5 Ural federal highway with access
to the city of Saransk.
Federal highways P178 Saransk - Surskoye -
Ulyanovsk, P158 Nizhny Novgorod - Arzamas - Saransk - Issa - Penza -
Saratov
Oil product pipeline Penza - Saransk
A network of main gas
pipelines, including the largest Urengoy - Pomary - Uzhgorod, compressor
stations in the villages of Barashevo and Yavas, and the town of
Torbeevo
Sections of the long-haul power transmission line Moscow -
Zhigulevskaya HPP and the main Penza - Arzamas
Regional and
intermunicipal roads.