Long and complicated process of Mordovian lands entering the structure of the Russian State finally finished only with the collapse of the Kazan khanate in 1552. The process of adaptation of the Mordovian people to the conditions of Russia was quite complicated. As a result a significant part of Mordva since the end of XVI century turned to be drawn into emigrant processes that promoted its settling in the whole territory of the Russian State. At the native territory Mordva turned to be in ethnic minority – Russians became the prevailing part of the population. According to the population census of 2002 843.4 thousand people of Mordovian nationality live in the territory of Russia.

On the way of creation of modern form of national and state formation Mordovia passed several stages. In July, 1928 the Mordovian Okrug was established as constituent entity of the Sredne-Volzhskaya Oblast. In January, 1930 it was reorganized into the Mordovian Autonomous Oblast. On December 20, 1934 the territory acquired the status of the autonomous republic. In December, 1990 it was reorganized into the Mordovian Soviet Socialistic Republic and in January, 1994 renamed into the Republic of Mordovia. Present Constitution of the Republic of Mordovia was adopted on September 21, 1995.
There is a variety of rivers and lakes in the territory of the republic. The largest of them are the rivers Moksha and Sura, belonging to the Volga basin.
The climate of Mordovia is moderately continental. Average annual temperature is +3,+4 0C. Soils of Mordovia differ in fertility and on condition of proper tillage give high crops. Warmth is sufficient for planting winter rye, winter and spring wheat, oats, potatoes, hemp, forage and other crops.

Sizable deposits of sulphate-chlorine mineral water of khilovsky type are in stock. Owing to its properties, this water can be applied in the course of treatment of chronic gastritis, colitis, liver diseases and other. Daily water pick-out presently makes nearly 30 cubic meters and extraction volume can be significantly increased.
The Republic of Mordovia is a competent constituent entity of the Russian Federation. The highest official is Head of the Republic of Mordovia. The highest legislative body is State Assembly of the Republic of Mordovia.
Mordovia is characterized by high industrial and scientific potential, stable political conditions. In February, 2003 nation-wide elections of Head of the Republic of Mordovia for the period of 5 years took place. Approximately 90 % of the electorate voted for the acting Head of the Republic of Mordovia – Nikolay Ivanovich Merkushkin. After the introduction of President of the Russian Federation on October 7, 2010 N.I. Merkushkin was re-elected Head of the Republic of Mordovia by State Assembly of the Republic of Mordovia.There are no major deposits of minerals within the territory of the republic. However entrails of the earth in Mordovia are rich with raw materials for production of construction materials. The utmost significance for the economic complex belongs to the deposits of cretaceous sediments. At present development of over 120 deposits of raw materials takes place. Large reserves of marly-cretaceous mining (357.6 million cubic meters) used for production of high-quality cement are located in Alekseevsky deposit. The choice of clays is various. They are brick, fire clay, pottery, for faience production, etc. Peat also has economic significance. Spacious deposit of diatomite has been discovered in the republic. Total stocks of it are evaluated as 6.6 million cubic meters. In the territory of the Republic of Mordovia several parts of the rivers Moksha, Vad, Sura are marked with the deposits of the unique soil treasure – black fumed oak.

Attracting investments into the economy is one of the most important factors promoting future social and economic progressive development of the Republic of Mordovia. Range of financial sources include private investments, companies and the budget, as well as foreign and banking capital.
Investments into basic capital in the Republic of Mordovia in the year 2009 made 32 582.9 mln. roubles contrary to 3 065.8 mln. roubles in 2000 (increase by 10.6 times).
Within the last eight years nearly 167 milliard roubles have been invested into the economy.
In 2009 growth of foreign investments continued. Volume of foreign investments in the Republic of Mordovia in January-December 2009 amounted to 57143,8 thousand US dollars.
Priority trends in investment activities are: production of cable and conducting products, semi-conducting devices and power converters, development of railway car-building, lighting industry, cement production, food-processing productions, development of new types of building products and materials.
Technopark in the sphere of high technologies is being established in the republic according to the decision of Government of the Russian Federation. Technopark is of federal significance and also of special importance for the economy of the republic.