autonomous republic in central region of country, until 1991 Chuvash Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic, on right bank of Volga River; 7,066 sq mi (18,300 sq km); cap. Cheboksary; Chuvash settled in area until it was annexed by Russians 16th century; oblast formed 1920; republic 1925; grains, hemp, potatoes, vegetables; fruit growing; cattle, pigs, and sheep; industries developed after World War II include electrical equipment, machine parts, furniture, shipbuilding, timber, food processing, chemicals; hydroelectric plant at Novocheboksarsk; pop. 1,340,000.