SEMI-PALATINSK, or SEMIPOLATINSK, a district of Asiatic Russia, bounded on the north by the government
of Tomsk, E. by Chinese Songaria, S. by Independent Turkestan, and W. by the Kirghise lands. Area, 164,682 square miles. Almost the whole of the district, especially the east and south-east portions, is traversed by lofty ranges of mountains, those towards the north being offshoots of the Altai Mountains, and those towards the south, of the Mustagh or Thian-Shan range. The names of the principal chains in the district are the Kalbin-Tagh, Telingis-Tagh, Ala-Tagh, and Tarbagatai. Numerous rivers rise in these mountains, and flow in all directions. The chief of these are the Irtysh, an affluent of the Obi; the Ili, which flows into Lake Balkhash; the Tchar-Gurban, falling into the Irtysh; the Tjunduk, the Aisi-Su, the Kokbekty, the Bakanas, and the Ajagus. There are also many lakes in the district; of which the largest are Balkhash, Issik-Kul, Sasyk-Kul, Ala-Kul, and Saisan. Lake Balkhash and the Ili are navigated by steam-vessels. The country is chiefly inhabited by Kirghises of the Great and Middle Hordes, and by Russians; to whom there have been added, in recent times, a people who conceal their origin, but call themselves Tchula Azaki, or wanderers from Central Asia. There are also a number of merchants from Kazan, Troitzk, and Petropaulovski; and many strangers from the adjacent countries of Central Asia. The chief occupation of the settled population is the keeping of cattle and sheep; the Kirghise, on the other hand, live by hunting and fishing. At some places in the district there have been established gold washeries, silver mines, lead and copper works. An important trade is carried on through the districts by means of caravans, which proceed along the roads that traverse the country in different directions. On some of these there have been erected post-houses and inns for the convenience of travellers. Cotton-fabrics, cloth, metals, and furs, are exported from Russia to Turkestan and Songaria, in exchange for raw silk and cotton, carpets, tea, &c. Semipalatinsk was erected into a district in 1854. It is divided into four circles, and had in 1851 a population of 121,300; though at present it is much more populous.