Map of ethnic groups in Russia

Description:
This map shows ethnic groups on the Russia map.

Russia is one of the world's most ethnically diverse countries, with over 190 distinct ethnic groups living within its borders. The largest ethnic group is Russians, who make up approximately 80% of the population according to the 2010 census.

The ethnic composition varies significantly across different regions. While ethnic Russians predominate in most central and western regions, the North Caucasus is home to numerous indigenous peoples, including Chechens, Dagestanis, and Ossetians. The Volga region features significant populations of Tatars and Bashkirs, who maintain their distinct cultural identities and languages.

Siberia and the Russian Far East host several indigenous peoples, including the Yakuts, Buryats, and smaller groups like the Evenks and Chukchi. These communities often preserve their traditional ways of life, languages, and customs despite modernization.

The distribution of ethnic groups in Russia largely reflects historical patterns of settlement, conquest, and migration. Urban areas, especially Moscow and St. Petersburg, have become increasingly multicultural due to internal migration and immigration from former Soviet republics. The Russian government officially recognizes many of these ethnic groups as "indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East," providing them with special legal protections to preserve their traditional lifestyles and cultural heritage.