ISHIMBAY

also spelled Iimbaj, or Ishimbai, city, Bashkiriya republic, western Russia. Ishimbay lies along the Belaya (White) River. It was the earliest centre of the oil industry in the VolgaUrals oil field, which was first exploited in 1932, and of the first oil refinery started in 1936. Deposits have been depleted, but the city now is part of the SterlitamakIshimbaySalavat petrochemical complex, one of the most important in Russia. Pop. (1991 est.) 71,000.