Dynamics of Ethno-Contact Zones in the Finno-Ugric Republics of the Urals and Volga Region in the Post-Soviet Period

Abstract

The goal is to identify spatial patterns and features of the dynamics of ethno-contact zones on the territory of the Finno-Ugric republics of the Urals and Volga region (Komi, Udmurtia, Mari El and Mordovia) in each of the three post-Soviet decades. Materials and methods. The study is based on ethnic statistics from the 1989, 2002, 2010 and 2021 censuses. by municipalities of the republics. To identify ethnic contact zones, determine the degree of their severity, as well as the phases and stages of their development, the ethnic mosaic index was used. Results and discussion. Ethnic contact zones are considered as one of the elements of the territorial structure of the geocultural space. The Finno-Ugric republics of the Urals and Volga region are designated as ethno-contact zones on a regional scale. The main trend in post-Soviet ethnic dynamics in the republics was a decrease in the share of titular peoples. For each of the post-Soviet decades, a classifi cation of ethnic contact zones on a local scale (at the municipal level) was carried out in accordance with the phases and stages of their development, taking into account the dynamics of the share of the titular population. Conclusions. A general territorial pattern of development of ethno-contact zones at the local level in the post-Soviet period has been identifi ed, namely, the dependence of the dynamics of ethno-contact zones on the initial ratio of the titular and non-titular population in municipalities. In territories with a preponderance of the titular population, the dissolution of ethno-contact zones began in favor of the titular peoples. If the non-titular population predominated, the share of the titular peoples continued to fall.