Chelyabinsk Oblast, (in Russian: Челя́бинская о́бласть) located east of Southern Urals of Asiatic Russia, capital city Chelyabinsk, has much agricultural and forested land with large coal deposits. After World War I iron deposits were discovered which have transformed a part of the region into an industrial area.  Chief cities are Chelyabinsk, Magnitogorsk, Zlatoust, and Troitsk. During World War II the eastern part of the region was separated and organized as Kurgan region. During the period of exile and World War I many of the Mennonites were sent to this region, particularly the industrial areas. Numerous letters have been published in the Canadian papers which give us some information about their life.

See also Siberia

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 1072. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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