Map of Kazakhstan

"The city in eastern Kazakstan, Ust-Kamenogorsk lies in the foothills of the Rudnyy Altai Mountains and at the junction of the Ulba and Irtysh rivers. Founded as a Russian fort in 1720, it later became a center of trade with Mongolia and China and the gateway to the mineral wealth of the Rudnyy Altai. Ust-Kamenogorsk is now a major center of nonferrous metallurgy (lead, zinc, titanium, and magnesium) in Kazakhstan, with important associated research institutes and laboratories. Other industries include food processing and machine building. The city is also an important transport junction. There are teacher-training, construction and road-building institutes, as well as various technical colleges. A large hydroelectric station lies upstream on the Irtysh." Previously on the Gateway to Kazakhstan.

Wilner House

Maryville, TN
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We will be going to the Kostanai (Qostanay, Kostanay) region of Kazakhstan for our second adoption.

"The city in northern Kazakstan, on the Tobyl River. Founded by Russian settlers from the Volga region in 1879, it became a centre of trade in the steppe, a role that was enhanced by the construction of a branch railway in 1913. Kostanay was made an oblast (region) administrative center in 1933, but its greatest expansion dates from the mid-1950s and the Virgin and Idle Lands Campaign, which extended agriculture, hastened the exploitation of mineral wealth, and the construction of rail lines in the region. The city's most economically important industries are food processing and other light enterprises, though there are vehicle and agricultural-equipment repair shops, and spare parts are produced for excavators and mining equipment." Previously on the Gateway to Kazakhstan.