Filming in Russia: Bashkortostan (Bashkiria)

Bashkortostan is a predominantly Muslim Russian republic the size of Greece. It’s populated by the Turkic nations of Bashkirs and Tatars, some of the country’s largest ethnic groups after the Russians.

Filming in Bashkortostan: Geography and Climate

Bashkortostan has an area of 143,600 square kilometers (55,400 sq mi). Yamantau is the tallest mountain with the height of 1,638 m. The longest river in Bashkortostan is Belaya, 1,430 kilometres (890 mi) long.

The average temperature in January is -15˚C (5˚F) and +20˚C (68˚F) in June. But it could get extreme: as hot as 42˚C (107˚F) in the summer, and -53˚C (-63˚F) in the winter.

Filming in Bashkortostan: Nature

About 40% of Bashkortostan`s territory is covered with forests. Also, there are more than 1,120 rivers.

Due to its proximity to Ural mountains, Bashkortostan has more than 150 deep caves. For example, Shulgan-Tash is a paleolithic human dwelling site with cave paintings.

Film in Bashkortostan: History

Bashkortostan joined Russia in 1557, after Tsar Ivan the Terrible occupied the nearby Muslim stronghold Kazan, now the capital of Tatarstan. Bashkortostan was the center of mass anti-authority uprisings in the 18th century.

During the World War II, more than 100 plants were moved to Bashkortostan. With the collapse of the USSR, Bashkortostan became a republic within the Russian Federation.

Film in Bashkortostan: Cities

The capital and the biggest city of Bashkortostan is Ufa, with over 1 million people population. Other notable cities include Oktyabrsky, Sterlitamak and Salavat.

Film in Bashkortostan: How to Get

Ufa is located 1200 km (745 mi) east of Moscow. The flight takes 2 hours. Some 15 air routes connect Ufa with the rest of Russia.

Film in Bashkortostan: Population

Bashkortostan is populated with more than 4 million people. Russians are the majority with 40% of the total population, followed by Bashkirs with 23% and Tatars with 17%.

Both Bashkirs and Tatars are Turkic peoples, who were once a part of the Golden Horde, a state founded by descendants of Genghis Khan. Tatars are the second largest ethnicity in Russia, and Bashkirs are the fourth.

Film in Bashkortostan: Interesting Facts

Reports (including by The New York Times) say there is a huge top-secret military bunker inside Yamatau, the biggest mountain in Bashkortostan. The Russian government denies it;
Bashkortostan is famous for its forest bee-keeping and honey in general;
Ernst Muldashev, Russia’s most controversial doctor, known for his bizzare new-age views, lives in Ufa. An accomplished eye surgeon, Muldashev claims he uses alloplants, parts of dead bodies. in the surgery. He has organized dozens of expeditions in search of Shambala and other mystic places;
Salavat Yulayev, the national hero of Bashkortostan, was a poet and one of the leaders of an anti-government uprising in 18th century;
Zemfira, Russia's most popular female rock singer, was born and raised in Ufa, Bashkortostan's capital.