Buryatia, officially the Republic of Buryatia (, , , ), is a republic of Russia located in Siberia. It is the historical native land of indigenous Buryats. Formerly part of the Siberian Federal District, it has been a part of the Russian Far East since 2018. Its capital is the city of Ulan-Ude, which means Red Gateway in Buryat Mongolian. Its area is with a population of 978,588 (2021 Census). Geography The republic is located in the south-central region of Siberia along the eastern shore of Lake Baikal. Area: Borders: Internal: Irkutsk Oblast (W/NW/N), Zabaykalsky Krai (NE/E/SE/S), Tuva (W) International: Mongolia (Bulgan Province, Khövsgöl Province and Selenge Province) (S/SE) Water: Lake Baikal (N) Highest point: Mount Munku-Sardyk () Rivers Major rivers include: Barguzin River Irkut River Kitoy River Oka River Selenga River Uda River Upper Angara River Vitim River Lakes Lake Baikal - Buryatia covers 60% of the lake's shoreline. Lake Gusinoye Baunt Busani Kapylyushi Yeravna-Khorga Lake System Mountains Over 80% of the republic's territory is located in the mountainous region, including the Baikal Mountains on the northern shores of Lake Baikal, the Ulan-Burgas east of the lake, and the Selenga Highlands in the south near the Mongolia–Russia border. Natural resources The republic's natural resources include gold, tungsten, zinc, uranium, and more. Climate Average annual temperature: Average January temperature: Average July temperature: Average annual precipitation: History Mongolian people have lived around the area of Lake Baikal since the fifth century, with Mongolic-related Slab Grave cultural monuments found in Baikal territory. Over time, the Mongolic peoples of the regions developed into distinct groups, one of which became the Buryats. Further divisions of the Buryats came from those living on the western shore of Lake Baikal, with better land for agriculture, and those in the east, who practiced nomadism more regularly and continued residing in moveable felt yurts. As a result of the superior farmland, the western side of Lake Baikal was settled by European peasants during the time of the Russian Empire - western Buryats were more exposed to and influenced by the culture, religions, and economy of their European neighbors, whereas the eastern Buryats maintained closer ties to other Mongolic peoples, Buddhism, and Asian civilizations. The territory of Buryatia has been governed by the Xiongnu Empire (209 BC-93 CE) and Mongolian Xianbei state (93-234), Rouran Khaganate (330-555), Mongol Empire (1206-1368), and Northern Yuan (1368-1635). Medieval Mongol tribes such as the