Republic of South Ossetia is located оn the southern slopes of the Main Caucasus Range in the area of 3900 square meters. Тhe capital is the city of Tskhinval.
One-tenth of the surface occupied by the Republic of the foothills.
The rest of the territory - the mountainous terrain height from 850 to 3938 meters above sea level.
The highest point - Mount Halatsa (3938 m).

Interview of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia David Sanakoev to the information agency «Res»

Question: The world media margins keep discussing the situation in Syria and its further development. What is the stand of South Ossetia on this issue?
Answer: In South Ossetia is following the development of situation in Syria for a long time. South Ossetia MFA has stated its stand on this issue more than once and it coincides with Russian position and consists in overcoming of crisis merely by political means. We are against of any outer interference that is not contributive to the stabilization of situation in the state, but ever more aggravating the situation. Presently we are attentively following the course of events there.
Q.: As it is known there are quite a number of Ossetians in Syria who have found themselves in hard conditions and have been involved in ongoing events. What do You make of it?
A.: Indeed there is an Ossetian community existing about 150 years on the territory of Syria. All of them are descendants of those Ossetian families that on the call of Mussa Kundukhov migrated from the Caucasus to the same faith Turkish Empire which part was Syria that time. It was so called makhadjir movement that included many peoples of Northern Caucasus. There was comparatively small number of Ossetians among them.
Their descendants are ethnical minority although they are living in this country for 150 years. What will be their kismet in case of extension of internal Syrian conflict is difficult to predict. The perspectives of ethnical and confessional minorities in Syria are alarming.
According to the Presidents order RSO MFA is following the situation in Syria and first of all the situation of Ossetian community. Our concern about the fate of our nationals we voiced at the meetings with Syrian diplomats.
Q.: Do you have any contacts with Syrian Osetan’s representatives?
A.: Yes of course. I had a telephone conversation recently with Khisham Albegov – the Head of Ossetian diaspora. We are in touch with him. By the way, these days to Tskhinval are arriving Ossetian diaspora’s representatives from different states including Syria. The agenda of the meeting in Tskhinval will include situation in Syria and elaborating of possible measures on rendering assistance to our nationals in Syria.

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