(formerly Yakutia) Autonomous republic in the Russian Federation, in Siberia
area 3,103,000 sq km/197,760 sq mi
capital Yakutsk
physical one of the world’s coldest inhabited places; river Lena, the largest in Russia
industries furs, gold, natural gas, some agriculture in the S
% Russians, 33% Yakuts)
history the nomadic Yakuts were conquered by Russia in the 17th century; Yakutia was a Soviet Republic 1922–91. It remained an autonomous republic within the Russian Federation after the collapse of the Soviet Union 1991.
Underground nuclear blasts, atmospheric nuclear testing, and diamond and gold processing have all polluted the area.
(Russian Yakutskaya) Former name of Sakha, an autonomous republic in the Russian Federation.