Biysk
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Biysk (Russian Бийск) is a city in Altai Krai of Russia. With a population of more than 230,000 people Biysk is the second largest city of the Krai (after Barnaul).
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Geographical position
Biysk is situated in Southwestern Siberia, on the Biya (not far from its confluence with the Katun). The city is called "the gates to the Altai 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 a city status in 1782.
Transport
Biysk has a railway station, a port on the Biya and an airport. The route of Federal importance Novosibirsk-Biysk-Tashanta (Chuysky Highway) goes through the city.
Industry
The city's industry grew rapidly, especially after some factories were evacuated there from the west of the Soviet Union in the WWII times. During Soviet times the city was an important centre of arms development and production and still remains an industrial centre.
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
- http://www.biysk.nsu.ru
- BIYSK city (http://www.biysk.secna.ru/in.e.shtml)de:Bijsk