The Republic of Karachai-Cherkessia is situated on the federal border with Georgia/Abkhazia in between the Krasnodar Territory, the Stavropol Territory and Karbardino-Balkaria. Around 40% of the population is made up of Karachais while around 10% consists of Cherkess people, both of whom are Turkic people belonging to the larger group of Adyghes (Circassians). A third native group living here are the related Abazins who make up around 8% of the population. The predominant religion here is Islam.

The capital of the republic is Cherkessk. The highlight of the republic is perhaps the Donbai resort - a ski-resort in the Caucasian mountains.