BELORETSK

city, Bashkortostan, west-central Russia. It lies near the headwaters of the Belaya River, a tributary of the Kama. It was founded as a mining settlement in 1762 when a metallurgical factory was constructed nearby. Beloretsk remains a metallurgical centre and has medical and teachers colleges. It became a city in 1923. Pop. (1994 est.) 73,700.