Tuva

Tuva, republic of the Russian Federation between Siberia and Mongolia. Formerly a Russian protectorate, the region became the autonomous republic of Tannu Tuva in 1921. In 1944, it was annexed by the USSR and its name changed to Tuva. Most of the region's inhabitants are descended from Turkic-speaking peoples and raise animals for a living. Tuva exports animal hides and wool; its mineral resources include gold, asbestos, and cobalt.

See also: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.