The republic covers an area of around 76,000 square kilometres (or almost 30,000 square miles), making it a similar size to Panama, Czechia or the US state of South Carolina.

It now stands as the only Buddhist region in Europe. This was succeeded by Islam with the Alans while the Mongol hordes brought Tengriism, and the later Nogais were Muslims, before their replacement by the present-day Buddhist Oirats/Kalmyks. Prehistoric paganism and shamanism gave way to Judaism amongst some of the Khazars (who included Muslims and Christians in equal or greater numbers as well). The territory of Kalmykia is unique in that it has been the home in successive periods to many major world religions and ideologies. Kalmykiya was established in 1920 as an autonomous oblast (region) in 1936 it became a republic, which was abolished in 1944 when the Kalmyks were exiled for alleged collaboration with the Germans during WW2. They were mainly nomadic cattle breeders. The Kalmyks, of Mongol origin, migrated to the Caspian region in the 17th century from Central Asia. In this episode of 80 Days: An Exploration Podcast, thanks to our backers on Patreon, we’ll be talking about Kalmykia, a republic and country of Russia located directly north of the North Caucasus in Eastern Europe, between Ukraine and Kazakhstan, only around 200 miles or 350km north of Georgia. Lapland (Christmas Special) Season 1 (2016-17)

Minisode: Natal, 1497 | Minisode: Runnymede, 1215 | Minisode: Hong Kong Invasion, 1941 Season 2 (2017)

Minisode: Swiss Exclaves | Minisode: Apollo 8 (Christmas Special) | Minisode: Christmas Stories 2020 | Season 3 (2018-19) Click on the links below to find an episode you like, scroll down to see episode show notes, news and announcements and if you like what you hear, subscribe or sign up to support us on Patreon! Every episode we take you to a little-known country, territory, settlement or city and explore the history, culture and people of each place over approximately an hour and a half. Welcome to 80 Days: an exploration podcast, brought to you by three history and geography nerds in an internet-powered balloon.

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