or SEMIPOLOLINSK, a district of Asiatic Russia, bounded on the north by the government of Tomsk, E. by Chinese Songaria, S. by Independent Semipalatinsk, 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 Tian-Shan range. The names of the principal chains in the district are the Kalbin-Tagh, Tchingsis-Tagh, Ala-Tagh, and Tarbagatal. Numerous rivers rise in these mountains, and flow in all directions. The chief of these are the Irish, an affluent of the Obi; the Ili, which flows into Lake Balkhash; the Tchur-Gurbam, falling into the Irish; the Tjunduk, the Aisi-Su, the Kokbekty, the Bakasas, and the Ajagus. There are also many lakes in the district; of which the largest are Balkhash, Issik-Kul, Sasyk-kul, Ala-Kul, and Saimen. 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 Tehala Asaki, or wanderers from Central Asia. There are also a number of merchants from Kazan, Troizk, and Petropavlovsk; 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 Kirghises, 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. Semipolatinsk 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.

SEMPALATINSK, the capital of the above district, on the right bank of the Irish, 400 miles S.S.E. of Omsk. It is a fortified place, in the midst of a fertile plain covered with gardens; and derives its name, signifying "the seven palaces," from certain buildings which the Russians found there on the conquest of Siberia. Many of the inhabitants are employed in fishing; and a considerable trade is carried on. Pop. (1850) 7593.