Ust-Kamenogorsk is a city in the North-East Kazakhstan, on the Irtysh River and in the foothills of the West Altai Mountains. It is a river port and an industrial center with zinc, lead, and titanium-magnesium smelters. There is a large hydroelectric station nearby. Ust-Kamenogorsk City was founded in 1720 as a fortress Ust-Kamennaya, now it is an important railway junction, located on foothills of Ore Altay, also a goods station on Irtysh River. The population is about 380 thousand people (for 1998). There are 2 Universities there, theatre, and museum of local lore. Most if the territory is in Altay Mountains. The maximum altitude of Altay is 4,000 meters. The average January temperature is 17°Ñ-23°Ñ below zero, average July temperature is +19°Ñ-+23°Ñ. Precipitations between 120 and 1500 mm/year in the mountains The main river is Irtysh. Bukhtarma reservoir is including Marakkol and Zaisan lakes. Non-ferrous metallurgy is based on polymetal field of Ore Altay. Engineering, metalworker, woodworker, food, building construction and light industry are developed in Ust-Kamenogorsk. On Irtysh River there are Ust-Kamenogorsk, Ulbinsk and Bukhtarma hydroelectric power stations. Non-watering agriculture is predominating. Sunflower, potato and fruit growing are well developed. Also there is an animal husbandry, beekeeping, fish breeding, fur trade and shipping.