Ridder

Kazakhstan

Also known as: Leninogorsk

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Article History

Formerly (1941–2002):: Leninogorsk

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Ridder, city, northeastern Kazakhstan. The city is situated in the southwestern Altai Mountains, along the Ulba River, at an elevation higher than 3,300 feet (1,000 metres).

An Englishman, Philip Ridder, discovered a small mine containing gold, silver, copper, and lead there in 1786, and systematic mining started in 1791. The city was renamed Leninogorsk in 1941, but it reverted back to its original name in 2002.

Present-day Ridder is an important centre of the lead and zinc industry and is connected to the rail line linking western Siberia with the countries of Central Asia. Pop. (2009) 50,500; (2012 est.) 49,356.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Michael Ray.