BIROBIDZHAN

also spelled Birobidzan, city and administrative centre of Yevreyskaya autonomous oblast (province), Khabarovsk kray (region), in far eastern Russia. Situated on the Bira River, a tributary of the Amur, and on the Trans-Siberian Railroad, it was founded in 1928 as a railway station called Tikhonkaya. The oblast was formed in 1934, with Birobidzhan as its centre; it became a city in 1937. Industries include sawmilling and woodworking and a variety of light industries, mainly clothing and footwear. Tractor trailers are also produced. The city has an agricultural college. Pop. (1991 est.) 86,300.