republic in s.w. region of country, until 1991 autonomous republic of Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic in n. Caucasus mountains; 3,100 sq mi (8,000 sq km); mountainous region; varied climate, soils, and vegetation; cap. Ordzhonikidze; Ossetians are of Iranian-Japhetic origin; since 7th c. BC region successively ruled by Scythian-Samaritan groups, Alani, Tatar Empire, and, from late 18th c., Russia; industry centered around cap.; building materials, metallurgy, food products; lead, zinc, and boron mining; timber; wheat, corn, potatoes; sheep, cattle; pop. 619,000.