Semiretchinsk

Semiretchinsk, a province of Asiatic Russia, having East Turkestan on the SE., Ferghana on the SW., and Lake Balkash on the N., is a mountainous region, being crossed from east to west by the Ala-tan and Thian-Shan Mountains, whose peaks run up to 16,000 feet. Between them lies the mountain-lake of Issyk-kul. In the north of the province there are level tracts, partly fertile, partly barren sand. The climate is temperate; earthquakes occur—e.g. at Vyernyi (pop. 11,584), the chief town. Area, 147,298 sq. m.; pop. (1897) 758,258, of whom 595,000 are Kirghiz and 44,000 Russians; they are mostly engaged in pastoral pursuits, rearing large herds of horses, camels, and sheep.