Conversational topic: Zabaikalsky Krai

The territory of Siberia was of great state’s interest in the 17th century, because silver was found in it. Siberia was joined to Russia in the first half of the 17^th century by Cossacks under Yermak and Khabarov. Rich mineral resources and a profitable geographic position of the eastern part of Siberia, called Zabaykalye, created the necessity for its economic development. At the end of 19th century the construction of Trans-Siberian railway forced the economic development of this area.

Zabaykalsky Krai was established on March, 2008 by uniting the Chita region and Aginsky Buryatsky autonomous district. The Krai is located within the historical region of Transbaikalia, in the East Siberian economic region. It is the part of Siberian Federal District. Its territory is 431, 5 thousand sq. km., the administrative center is Chita. Zabaykalsky Krai is not a densely populated area, about 1, 200, 000 people live in the region; 63, 4%- urban population and 36, 1% -rural population. The first governor is Ravil Geniatulin.

The krai has extensive international borders with China (998 km) and Mongolia (868 km) and internal borders with Irkutsk and Amur regions, as well as with the Buryat and the Sakha Republics.

Zabaykalsky Krai is mainly a mountainous country. Medium high mountains and uplands stretch from the south-west to the north- east. The highest peak BAM in Kodar range in the north is 3073 m above sea level. There is a big plain in the south of the area. North – Siberia taiga is replaced by forest- steppes. The region’s wooded area is over 20 million hectares, over 60% of the territory is covered with forests.

The climate of Zabaykalsky Krai is sharp continental.

Zabaikalsky Krai possesses considerable hydropower potential. The world’s watershed of the Pacific and Arctic Oceans extends over the territory. It includes such rivers as Shilka, Argun, Onon, Vitim and others. Navigation is available on the river Shilka. There are three groups of lakes: Leprindo in the north, Ivanovo-Arakhlei in the central part and Torei lakes in the south.

Zabaykalsky Kray has rich natural resources. The mineral raw material reserves include ferrous and non-ferrous metals, precious metals, coal, flour-spar, construction materials and others. The area possesses the largest in the country prospected resources of copper, molybdenum, gold, silver, tin, tantalum and polymetallic ores. Zabaikalsky kray is the main developing resource base of nuclear industry of Russia.The well-known deposits are Chara, Balei, Darasun, and the large Udokan copper ore deposit. Zabaikalsky kray is the main developing resource base of nuclear industry of Russia, with its centre in Krasnokamensk.

Zabaikalie is rich in mineral springs which are widely used in medicine. The most prominent of them are Darasun, Kuka, Molokovka, Yamarovka. Main health resorts of Zabaikalsky krai are Darasun, Shivanda, Urguchan, Molokovka, Yamarovka.

Mining and coal industries, food industry, metal-working, power engineering, construction and timber industry are the leading industries of Zabaykalsky Kray. The main industrial areas are Borzinsky, Krasnokamensky and Petrovsk- Zabaikalsky districts.

Agriculture is specialized in cattle-breeding and sheep-breeding. Reindeer-breeding and fur trade are developed in the north of the region. The growing crops are wheat, barley and oats. Vegetable-growing is well developed too.

The territory of Zabaikalie is characterized by highly developed transport system. The decisive role is played by the railways.

Zabaikalsky Kray has promoted international cultural and industrial ties with foreign countries. The economic cooperation is being realized in such forms as foundation of enterprises of joint ownership, technical and economic cooperation in construction and use of labor power in it, raw material processing, transportation, communication, trade etc. Tourism has also become a developed industry in recent years.