Columbia Encyclopedia

(Encyclopedia) Tolyatti tōlyĕätˈtē [key], city (1989 pop. 631,000), W European Russia, on the Volga River, near Samara. It is the site of Russia's largest automobile factory, which receives its power from the h...

(Encyclopedia) Novorossiysk or Novorossiisk both: nôˌvərəsēskˈ [key], city (1989 pop. 186,000), Krasnodar Territory, SE European Russia, on the Black Sea. A major port and a naval base, it exports grain and oi...

(Encyclopedia) Pozharski, Dmitri Mikhailovich, Prince dəmēˈtrē mēkhīˈləvĭch, pəzhärˈskē [key], 1578–1642, Russian hero. During the “Time of Troubles” (1598–1613), when various pretenders vied fo...

(Encyclopedia) Manzhouli or Manchouli both: mänˈjōˈlēˈ [key], city (1994 est. pop. 129,100), NE Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, China, on the Russian border. Heavy industry is the most important economic ac...

(Encyclopedia) balalaika băləlīˈkə [key], Russian stringed musical instrument, with a triangular body and a long fretted neck fretted instrument. Usually there are three strings, which are generally plucked wit...

(Encyclopedia) Kalmykia or Republic of Kalmykia-Khalmg-Tangeh, constituent republic (1990 est. pop. 329,000), c.29,400 sq mi (76,150 sq km), SE European Russia, on the Caspian Sea. Elista is the capital. A semino...

(Encyclopedia) Narva närˈvə [key], city (1994 pop. 79,094), NE Estonia, on the left bank of the Narva River. A leading textile center, it also has machinery plants, sawmills, flax and jute factories, and food-pro...

(Encyclopedia) chrysoberyl krĭsˈəbĕrˌĭl [key] [Gr.,=golden beryl], a beryllium aluminate used as a gem. It has a vitreous luster and is transparent to translucent. The more valuable cat's-eye is a variety of c...

(Encyclopedia) Taurage tourägāˈ [key], Ger. Tauroggen, town, W Lithuania, on the Yura River. Dating from the 13th cent., Taurage belonged to Prussia from 1691 to 1793, when it passed to Russia. It was incorporate...

(Encyclopedia) Polotsk pôˈlətsk [key], city (1989 pop. 76,837), W Belarus, on the Western Dvina River at its confluence with the Polota. It is a large rail junction and agricultural trade center. Manufactures inc...