Ust-Kamenogorsk (Oskemen in the Kazakh language), also spelled ust'-kame-nogorsk, is a city of East Kazakhstan region (oblast).
There are teacher-training, construction and road-building institutes, as well as various technical colleges in Ust-Kamenogorsk city of Kazakhstan. A large hydroelectric station lies upstream on the Irtysh river. The city is located where the Ulba river and the Irtysh meet.
There are two variations of the name and in Russian it is Ust-Kamenogorsk (pronounced oost-kah-mee-nah-GORSK), in Kazakh transcription it is Oskemen (pronounced os-keh-MEN). If you are ever in Kazakhstan, use the Russian name since it is more common.
While not known as a tourist attraction, the region is one of the most beautiful in the country. Surrounded by scenic mountains, the city has some 750,000 people, many employed in the regions mining and smelting industries.
To the south from Ust’-Kamenogorsk is Lake Zaisan. To the southeast lies the beautiful Lake Markakol and to the east at the Russian border is the sacred Mount of Belukha, the highest point in Eastern Kazakhstan (4,506 meters, 14,725 ft).
Ust-Kamenogorsk (Oskemen) city population - 320,000 (2006).
Ust-Kamenogorsk (Oskemen) city area - 540 sq.km.
Ust-Kamenogorsk (Oskemen) city phone code - +7-7232.
Ust-Kamenogorsk (Oskemen) city postal code - 070000.
Ust-Kamenogorsk city was founded as a Russian fort in 1720. Ust-Kamenogorsk later became a center of trade with Mongolia and China and the gateway to the mineral wealth of the Rudny Altay mountains.
Here you'll find movie theatres, nightclubs, restaurants and bars, and the people are friendly.