IRKUTSK

(1) Government; E. Siberia, comprised between 51° and 62° 30’ N., and 96°-124° E.; stretches from Sayan Mts. on borders of Mongolia to valleys of Upper Lena and HE. tributaries of Yenisei; greater part belongs to agricultural zone of Siberia, with enormous forests in the S. and S.H.; produces rye, wheat, barley, oats, buckwheat, and potatoes; coal, gold, iron, and salt; Lake Baikal fisheries are important; the native inhabitants are chiefly Buriats and Tun733,000. (2) Tn., cap. E. Siberia (52° 17’ N., 104° 22’ H.); is chief trade center of E. Siberia; important traffic in tea and furs. During 1917-18 was scene of much street fighting between Red and White Guards; population was reduced to starvation, and town probably suffered more at hands of Bolsheviks than any other town in Ru ia. In Dec. 1919, seat of Ru ian Government in Siberia was transferred from Omsk to Irkutsk. Pop. (in normal times) c. 120,000.