Semipalatinsk
a territory of Central Asia. It belongs to Russia and is an administrative division of the Steppes. Its area is 184,626 square miles, the principal river being the Irtysh.
There are many lakes and the minerals include gold, silver, lead, copper, and coal.
Agriculture is being developed, but is hindered by storms and lack of irrigation. The population is made up largely of the nomadic Kirghizes, who engage chiefly in stock raising. Pop. (1915) 874,900. The capital is Semipalatinsk, which has mosques, library and cathedral, and nearby the Tongus ruins. Pop. about 35,000.