Sterlitamak

Sterlitamak is the second largest city in the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia, located on the left bank of the Belaya River (a tributary of the Kama River), from Ufa. The city's name comes from the Bashkir language and literally means "mouth of the Sterlya river". According to data released by Bashstat, Sterlitamak had a population of 277,410 at the time of the census. Permanent population of Sterlitamak as of January 1, 2023 amounted to 279,174 people. Geography Sterlitamak is located just south of the geographical center of the Republic of Bashkortostan, from Ufa. Approximately to the east of the city are the Ural Mountains; to the west the East European Plain begins. In the vicinity of Sterlitamak (inside the Belaya basin) are the Shikhan Mountains (Yurak Tau, Kush Tau, Shakh Tau, and Tra Tau), which are unique geological formations. In the area of Mount Kush Tau, there are children summer camps and the Shikhany Sanatorium; there is also a ski base on the slope of the mountain. Originally, the town was built in the area between the Ashkadar and Sterlya Rivers. This area is now considered the historical center and is known as the "Old Town". Subsequently, Sterlitamak was built mainly to the west and north. The Sterlya, which falls into the Ashkadar River to the east, flows through the central part of the city. One train bridge and four regular bridges cross the Sterlya, and another one is under construction. In the southeastern part, the Ashkadar separates the Zaashkadarye Microdistrict from the main part of the city. In the east, Sterlitamak borders the Belaya River, which forms the boundary between Sterlitamaksky and Ishimbaysky Districts. In the south, near the heavy machinery factory, the city is bordered by the Olkhovka River, which is also an influx of the Ashkadar.