Quiz: Peoples of Russia
1. Russia is a multinational state. Approximately how many different ethnic groups live on its territory?
a) 20-30
b) 50-60
c) Over 190
2. After Russians, which ethnic group has the largest population in Russia?
a) Ukrainians
b) Tatars
c) Bashkirs
3. The Sakha (Yakut) people, known for their epic stories called "Olonkho," primarily live in which part of Russia?
a) The Caucasus Mountains
b) North-Eastern Siberia
c) The Ural Mountains
4. Which republic in the North Caucasus is named after its indigenous people, who are predominantly Muslim and speak a language of the Nakh family?
a) Tatarstan
b) Chechnya
c) Buryatia
5. The Chukchi people are traditionally known for their skills in reindeer herding and marine mammal hunting. In which harsh, northern region do they primarily reside?
a) The Kola Peninsula
b) The Chukotka Peninsula
c) The Kamchatka Peninsula
6. The Buryats, who live around Lake Baikal, have a traditional religion closely related to which of the following?
a) Tibetan Buddhism
b) Orthodox Christianity
c) Shamanism only (their practices are often mixed with this)
7. What is the name of the republic on the Volga River whose indigenous people are the Mordvins (Moksha and Erzya)?
a) Udmurtia
b) Mari El
c) Mordovia
8. The Komi and Udmurt peoples, living in the northern part of European Russia, speak languages belonging to which language family?
a) Turkic
b) Uralic (Finno-Ugric branch)
c) Caucasian
9. Which small-numbered indigenous people of the Far East are famous for their traditional dog sledding and are the subject of a famous novel and film?
a) The Nenets
b) The Koryaks
c) The Alyutors (often associated with the "White Sun of the Desert" film)
10. The traditional dwelling of many nomadic peoples of Siberia, including the Nenets and Evenks, is a conical tent called:
a) Yaranga
b) Chum
c) Saklya
11. The Kalmyks are the only traditionally Buddhist people located geographically in which part of Europe?
a) Northern Europe
b) Eastern Europe (in the Caspian Depression)
c) The Carpathian Mountains
12. Which indigenous people of the Amur River region are renowned for their intricate and colorful fish-skin clothing and applique art?
a) The Nivkh
b) The Nanai
c) The Udege
13. The Shors are a Turkic-speaking people known historically as blacksmiths and coal miners. In which coal-mining region of Siberia do they primarily live?
a) The Kuznetsk Basin (Kuzbass)
b) The Tunguska Basin
c) The Lena Basin
14. Which of these is a traditional musical instrument played by many peoples of the North Caucasus, such as the Circassians (Adyghe)?
a) Kurai (a long flute)
b) Shankobyz (a jaw harp)
c) Shichepshin (a two-stringed bowed instrument)
15. The concept of "unity in diversity" was a core part of the Soviet nationalities policy. Today, all ethnic groups in Russia are officially guaranteed:
a) The right to form their own independent state.
b) The right to preserve their native language and culture.
c) The right to have their own separate currency.
Answer Key
1. c) Over 190 (The official 2020 census lists more than 190 nationalities).
2. b) Tatars (They are the largest minority group).
3. b) North-Eastern Siberia (The Sakha Republic (Yakutia) covers a vast area in this region).
4. b) Chechnya (The Chechen Republic).
5. b) The Chukotka Peninsula (The Chukotka Autonomous Okrug).
6. a) Tibetan Buddhism (They are one of the primarily Buddhist peoples of Russia).
7. c) Mordovia (The Republic of Mordovia).
8. b) Uralic (Finno-Ugric branch) (Along with Hungarians, Finns, and Estonians).
