Volga Bulgaria: Map & History
Volga Bulgaria or Volga–Kama Bulgaria was a historical Bulgar state that existed between the 9th and 13th centuries around the confluence of the Volga and Kama River, in what is now European Russia.
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Volga Bulgaria or Volga–Kama Bulgaria was a historical Bulgar state that existed between the 9th and 13th centuries around the confluence of the Volga and Kama River, in what is now European Russia. Volga Bulgaria was a multi-ethnic state with large numbers of Bulgars, Finno-Ugrians, Varangians, and East Slavs. Its strategic position allowed it to create a local trade monopoly with Norse, Cumans, and Pannonian Avars.
Modern Countries Once Part of Volga Bulgaria
At its mapped extent, Volga Bulgaria covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Volga Bulgaria's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Volga Bulgaria in Depth
History
The origin of the early Bulgars remains a topic of scholarly debate, as their precise beginnings are still unclear, but most researchers believe their homeland was likely situated somewhere in the vast region stretching between modern-day Kazakhstan and the North Caucasian steppes. Interaction with the Hunnic tribes, causing the migration, may have occurred there, and the Pontic–Caspian steppe seems the most likely location.
Some scholars propose that the Bulgars may have been a branch or offshoot of the Huns or perhaps Huns seem to have been absorbed by the Bulgars after Dengizich's death. Others however, argue that the Huns continued under Ernak, becoming the Kutrigur and Utigur Hunno-Bulgars. These conclusions remain a topic of ongoing debate and controversy among scholars.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Volga Bulgaria (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Volga Bulgaria: Key Facts
| Capitals | Bolghar Gord, Bilär |
|---|---|
| Official language | Bulgar |
| Form of government | monarchy |
| Founded | 7th century |
| Dissolved | 1240 |
Facts from Wikidata Q185488 (CC0).
Volga Bulgaria Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Volga Bulgaria appears, with the other states of the time.
Volga Bulgaria Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 44,239 km² in 876 CE.
Volga Bulgaria: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Volga Bulgaria exist?
Volga Bulgaria is dated to 674 CE – 1235 CE, in the Early Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of Volga Bulgaria?
The capital of Volga Bulgaria was Bolghar, Bilär.
How large was Volga Bulgaria at its peak?
At its peak in 876 AD Volga Bulgaria covered about 44,239 km².
How did the map of Volga Bulgaria change over time?
Volga Bulgaria appears on 5 dated world maps in the atlas, from 750 CE to 1200 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
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