Balkhash (city)
Balkhash
Балқаш, Balqaş | |
|---|---|
Centre of the city | |
| Coordinates: 46°50′53″N 74°59′42″E / 46.84806°N 74.99500°E | |
| Country | Kazakhstan |
| Region | Qarağandy Region |
| Founded | 1931 |
| Incorporated (city) | 1937 |
| Government | |
| • Akim (mayor) | Sapar Satayev |
| Elevation | 440 m (1,440 ft) |
| Population (2009) | |
| 68,833 | |
| • Urban | 77,662 |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+6 (UTC+6) |
| Postal code | 100300 - 100316 |
| Area code | +7 71036 |
| Website | balkhash |
Balkhash (Russian: Балхаш, IPA: [bɐɫˈxaʂ]) or Balqash (/bɑːlˈkɑːʃ/, UK also /bælˈkæʃ/; Kazakh: Balqaş / Балқаш [bɑʟ̠ˈqɑʃ]) is a city in Kazakhstan, located on the northern shore of Lake Balkhash, on the Bay Bertys, and in the south of the Kazakh Uplands. The population of the city is 68,833 (2009 census results); 65,431 (1999 census results).
Balkhash was founded in 1937 as an industrial city centred on the mining and smelting of copper, which is still being exploited in the area. The city lies approximately 500 km west of the Chinese border, on the north side of the lake at an altitude of 440 m.