Asha

It was founded in 1898.

It occupies the territory of 2792 sq. km.

The nearest railway station is Asha.

Asha is situated 377 km away from the region’s capital.

Its population is about 73,9 thousand people.

Asha has received a city status on  June 20, 1933.

The city of Asha is situated at the western border of the Chelyabinsk region with the Republic of Bashkortostan, on the western slope of the South Urals, at the foothills of Karatau, on the river Sim (which is the tributary of the river Belaya), close to the meeting point of the rivers Asha and Sim.

The city was founded as a village in 1898. It appeared due to the necessity of building the cast iron smelting plant near the station of Asha (it was called so because the tributary of the river Sim had the same name).

They say that the origin of the word “Asha” is connected with the 'as' or 'asha' clan of the bashkir tribe.

Sights

 The reserved natural area - Lipovaya Mountain - is situated near the city.

Economy

 The key industrial branches of the city are ferrous metallurgy, machine building and metal processing, sawmill, and wood processing, cellulose and paper industries.

In 2001 industry comprised 89%, agriculture - 0,1%, transport and communications - 3,6% and trade and public catering - 0,5% in the structure of production.

There are metallurgical, light engineering and phosphorite industrial plants in the city. Chemical industry, wood processing and production of building materials are also of great importance.

Dairy and beef animal husbandry are the most developed agricultural branches. Cultivation of potatoes, vegetables, fruit and berries is very popular.