Ethnic and social image of Nalchik based on the Russian imperial census of 1897

The paper presented the research findings concerning the ethnic and social structure of the population in Nalchik settlement based on the Russian Imperial Census of 1897. The Russians, Mountain Jews and Ukrainians made up the majority of the population in Nalchik. There were not so many other ethnic groups, including the Kabardins and Balkars, in this settlement. Nalchik bore the hallmark of both urban and rural settlement. There were a lot of farmers, craftsmen and merchants as well. Nalchik was not only administrative but also trade and handicraft center of the district. The Census made it possible to identify the employment structure of most peoples lived in Nalchik and distinguish their specific features. In particular, the national specific nature was detected in the gender structure of employment.