Nalchik (Russian: Нальчик; IPA: [ˈnalʲtɕɪk]; Kabardian: Налщӏэч /naːɮɕʼakʲ/; Karachay-Balkar: Нальчик) is the capital city of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic, Russia, situated at an altitude of 550 meters (1,800 ft) in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains; about 100 kilometers (62 mi) northwest of Beslan in the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania. It covers an area of 131 square kilometers (51 sq mi). Population: 240,203 (2010 Census); 274,974 (2002 Census); 234,547 (1989 Census).