Chita

Oblast (region) in southeastern Siberia, Russian Federation; area 431,500 sq km/166,602 sq mi; population (1996) 1,295,000 (63% urban). The main cities are Chita (capital) and Sretensk. Chita is situated in a mountainous region east of Lake Baikal, extensively covered with coniferous forests; there are large deposits of gold, tin, molybdenum (a metallic element used to strengthen steel), iron, and coal. Chief industries are engineering, mining, and food processing; agricultural activities centre on dairy farming and sheep breeding, and spring-wheat cultivation. The region has a continental climate, with little rainfall and very severe winters.

Chita forms part of one of the earliest settled regions in Siberia (see Transbaikalia); from the early 19th century, it was an area of political banishment.