North of this agricultural region is the region of the nomad reindeer breeders, relying entirely on their herds, while in some regions there is no reindeer-breeding and the natives rely on fish.
Ivory.—An important product is mammoth ivory, of which 25 tons were exported in the year 1926. The mammoth (Elephas primigenius) existed in comparatively recent times in great numbers in the polar region of Siberia and entire carcasses, with flesh, skin, fur and congealed blood in the veins have been found in the region. Mammoth ivory is mentioned by Pliny and its existence was known to the Russians in 1582.
Mines.—Gold is the main product of the republic, realising about 8,000,000 roubles in 1925-26. It has been known to the Russians since the mid-19th century, when it was worked in the Olekma mines, now abandoned. The Aldan mines, re-opened in 1923, produced about 280,000 oz. of gold that was registered in 1925-26 and much contraband was probably also raised. The gold here is easily worked, being on or near the surface, but there are great difficulties of transport and the miners are often unable to procure the necessities of life. In 1914 a fresh source at Nyukhinsk was discovered and is now being successfully exploited.
Iron ore is worked in an entirely primitive way and smelted by the Yakuts to make hunting knives. They were capable smiths long before the coming of the Russians. Coal of recent origin and poor quality extends over a belt of 1,200 m. north and south of Yakutsk, but is little used. There is an area of curative mud on the Lena river with a high percentage of iron and aluminium, and a health resort is planned. Sulphur springs exist in many places, especially near Parsheva, and jasper and carneol are found below Zhigansk, where there is iron, coal and platinum. Spars, amber, graphite, gypsum, crystal and emerald are reported, but unworked.
Population.—The Yakuts are a Turkic branch of the Ural Altaic stock and their language closely resembles that of the Turks. A Yakut grammar by Boethlingk was published in 1851. They are thick set, brachycephalic, with dark eyes and hair, narrow foreheads, broad noses and long narrow eyes.
The Yakuts form 85% of the population, and the Russians, mainly in the Aldan mining region and in Yakutsk, form II %. There are also Chinese and Koreans in the mining district. Half the population of the republic live in or near Yakutsk. In former times brodyagi or escaped convicts were a great terror in the district, and there has been much intermixture with Russian exiles, convicts and traders.
The Tungus are another branch of the Ural-Altaic group, as are the Lamuts. The Yukaghir are a Palaeo-Siberian tribe, mainly found now between the Kolyma and Indigirka rivers and occu pied in hunting and fishing. They are very short, with yellow or brown complexion, dark eyes and hair, and scanty beards. They are fast dying out, especially since the advance westwards of the Chukchee has lessened the number of wild reindeer. The latter tribe is spreading westward from the Far Eastern Area (q.v.).