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'Biysk' () is a city in Altai Krai, Russia. It is the second largest city of the krai (after Barnaul). Population: 229,412 (2004 est.); 218,562 (2002 Census); 233,238 (1989 Census).

Contents

Geography

History

Economy

Transport

Education and culture

External links

Geography

Biysk is situated in Southwestern Siberia, on the Biya River (not far from its confluence with the Katun River). The city is called ''"the gates to the Altay Mountains"'', because of its position comparatively not far from this range. In Biysk there is the beginning of the Chuysky Highway, which goes through the Altai Republic to Russia's border with Mongolia.

History

The city was founded in 1709 as a fortress by the order of the Russian Emperor Peter the Great, but in about a year was burnt by a local nomadic tribe and rebuilt in 1718. Gradually Biysk lost its role as a military base, but became an important centre of trade, which received town status in 1782.

Economy

The city's industry grew rapidly, especially after some factories were evacuated there from the west of the Soviet Union during the World War II. Later the city was an important centre of arms development and production and still remains an industrial centre.

Transport

Biysk has a railway station, a port on the Biya, and is served by Biysk Airport. The route of Federal importance Novosibirsk-Biysk-Tashanta (Chuysky Highway) goes through the city.

Education and culture

Biysk is a centre of education and culture, having a teachers' training university, a technical institute and other educational institutions, a drama theatre (founded in 1943), a museum of local lore, etc.

External links

★ Official website of Biysk

★ Unofficial website of Biysk