Nalchik (redirected from Naltchik)

Nalchik (näl`chĭk), city (1989 pop. 235,000), capital of Kabardino-Balkar Republic, S European Russia, on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus. A health and tourist resort, it is the gateway to the Mt. Elbrus region. It also also has considerable industry, notably a molybdenum-tungsten mill; semiconductors, electrical machinery and equipement, and chemicals are also produced. Nalchik was founded in 1817 as a Russian stronghold, and made a city in 1921. In Oct., 2005, the city was the scene of simultaneous attacks by Islamic militants on multiple security targets and the airport that left scores dead; the attackers had links to Chechen rebels.

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Nalchik

City (pop., 2006 est.: 271,447), southwestern Russia. It lies along the Nalchik River where the river leaves the Caucasian foothills. Founded as a Russian fortress in 1818, it gained importance after the Russian Revolution of 1917. It is a popular holiday, climbing, and health resort, and it has a university and research institute. It contains considerable industry, including engineering and hydrometallurgy.