AKHMETSCHEK, or SIMEEROPOL, one of the six circles into which the Russian government or province of Taurien is divided. It is the richest and most fruitful part of the peninsula, extending from long. 32. 31. to 33. 46. E. and from lat. 44. 30. to 45. 9. N. About two-thirds of the district is hilly, and gives rise to the rivers Katscha, Belbak, and Alma, as well as many smaller streams, by whose water fertility is dispersed in the valleys and plains. The circle is estimated to contain about 50,000 inhabitants.