KARAMAY

also spelled Karamai, WadeGiles romanization K'o-la-ma-i, city in northern Uighur Autonomous Region of Sinkiang, China. Located in the Dzungarian Basin, it is about 200 miles (320 km) northwest of Wu-lu-mu-ch'i (Urumchi), the provincial capital. Rich oil reserves were discovered in this area in 1955, and the first oil field was developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Production was greatly increased after the construction of a railway to Wu-lu-mu-ch'i. There are two main productive fields, one at Karamay itself in the north and another at Wu-su, about 60 miles (97 km) south. Wu-su and Karamay are joined by pipelines and have refineries. The reserves of both oil fields are substantial. Pop. (1989 est.) 191,500.