formerly (1944–57) Stepnoy
City (pop., 1999 est.: 101,700), capital of Kalmykia republic, southwestern Russia.
It was founded in 1865 and became a city in 1930. In 1944, when the Kalmyks were exiled by Joseph Stalin for their alleged collaboration with the Germans, the republic was dissolved and the city became known as Stepnoy. The name Elista was restored in 1957. Agriculture is important, and Elista also is a trade centre for the area.