Khakassia (06.2010)

A land of natural and spiritual beauty, the Republic of Khakassia is located in the southern part of eastern Siberia. Considered an archeological mecca, Khakassia's recorded history dates from the 4th to 3rd centuries B.C. This ancient land of serene splendor, with its centuries old burial mounds, prehistoric menhirs (monolithic standing stones), and petroglyphs, remains one of mystery & shamanism. A 4.5 hour flight from Moscow, or a 75 hour train ride on the Trans-Siberian, the Khakass Republic has a population of 546,000 of whom about 165,000 live in the capital city of Abakan.