Abaza, Mining town in Khakassia, Russia
Abaza is a mining town in Khakassia that sits in a mountain basin surrounded by ridges, with a railway station and industrial facilities for ore extraction. The settlement occupies an intermountain depression with the Kirs ridge to the northwest and Joy ridge to the southeast.
The settlement began in 1867 after iron ore was discovered in the area two decades earlier, establishing mining as the economic foundation. The original name changed from Abakano-Zavodskoye to Abaza in 1921 as the town developed around this resource.
The Museum of Local Lore occupies a late 19th-century merchant's house and displays regional artifacts that tell the story of how people have lived here. Visitors can see objects from daily life that reflect the town's development and character.
A visit is best planned around rail access, since the railway station provides connections to other regions of Russia. The A161 highway runs through the town, making it straightforward to navigate and explore the surrounding forest and mountain areas.
Protected cedar forests encircle the town and contain Lykov's Zaimka nature reserve, where visitors can try caving and river rafting. This natural setting contrasts with the mining operations and offers outdoor activities within reach of the settlement.
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