Ulan Ude

Ulan-Ude (УлаÌ?н-УдÑ?Ì?, Buryat: Улаан-УдÑ?), formerly Verkhneudinsk (ВерхнеуÌ?динÑ?к), the capital of Buryatia, Russia, is located at the foot of the mountains and is divided into two parts by the Uda river, a tributary of the Selenga river. Geographical coordinates 51°50′N 107°36′E. Population 359,400 (2002 All-Russia Population Census). It is the third largest city in East Siberia.

Ulan-Ude was founded in 1666 by Russian Cossacks. Due to its geographical position the city grew rapidly and became a large trade centre which connected Russia with China and Mongolia. There are old merchants' mansions richly decorated with wood and stone carving in the historical center of Ulan-Ude along the river banks. They represent beautiful examples of Russian classicism.