A TATAR is a member of any of several Turkic-speaking peoples that inhabit the Volga-Ural region in Russia. Historically, Tatars were nomadic pastoralists who lived in the steppes of Central Asia and Eastern Europe. They are known for their strong cultural identity and have been an important part of Russian history since the 10th century. Today, Tatars are the largest ethnic minority in Russia and make up about 5% of the population.