Ulan-Ude (Ула́н-Удэ́, Buryat: Улаан-Удэ), formerly Verkhneudinsk (Верхнеу́динск), 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 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.
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