Autonomous republic (administrative unit) of the Russian Federation, in Siberia
area 170,500 sq km/65,813 sq mi
capital Kyzyl
physical basin of the Yenisey River
industries mining of gold, asbestos and cobalt; cattle farming

history part of Mongolia until 1911 and declared a Russian protectorate 1914; after the 1917 revolution it became the independent Tannu-Tuva republic 1920, until incorporated in the USSR as an autonomous region 1944. It was made the Tuva Autonomous Republic 1961. In 1993 the republic’s parliament claimed the rights of self-determination and of secession from the Russian federation, following constitutional amendments.