a town and fortress of Siberia, in the government of Irkutsk, on the west bank of the above river, 162 miles from its mouth. It was first built in 1682, on the opposite side of the river, but was removed to its present site in consequence of the treaty of Nerchinsk. It carries on a considerable trade, but is situated in an extremely cold and inhospitable country. In the neighbourhood are valuable silver mines, and fine gold is frequently extracted from the ore. 177 miles east of Nerchinsk.