Semirechye Oblast

It covered a region called Semiriche (southeastern Kazakhstan and northern Kyrgyzstan), the Chui Valley and the mountainous regions of Tien Shan. It was found in the southeastern part of the Turkestan Governor-General. In the north it bordered the Semipalatinsk region, from the south and east - China (on the Bedel Pass to the southwest by the Tian Shan Range), and from the west the Fergana and Syr Darya oblasts. The oblast covered the territory of lakes Balkhash, Issyk-Kul, Ala-Kul. == Administrative division ==

As of 1897, the Semirechye Oblast was divided into 6 uyezds: Its major outposts included Fort Ili (now Qonayev) at the head of navigation on the Ili River. ==Demographics==

As of 1897, 987,863 people populated the oblast. Kazakhs and Kyrgyz (united as Kirgiz in estimation) constituted the majority of the population. Significant minorities consisted of Russians and Taranchi. Total Turkic speaking were 878,209 (88,9%). Ethnic groups in 1897 ==See also==