(or Mordovia) autonomous republic of central
USSR area 26,200 sq km/10,100 sq mi capital
Saransk features river Sura on the E;
forested in the W products sugar beet,
grains, potatoes; sheep and dairy farming;
timber, furniture, and textiles population
(1986) 964,000 history Mordvinia was
conquered by Russia during the 13th century.
It was made an autonomous region 1930, and an
Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic 1934.