Bratsk

Bratsk (pop. 275,000), a city in E Siberia, Russia, on the Angara River. Bratsk was founded by Russian settlers way back in 1631 as a fortress. However, its rapid development started in the mid 1950s with the construction of the 4,500 MW Bratsk Hydropower Plant. Other industry in the city includes alluminum plant and a wood pulp plant. Educational facilities include Bratsk State Technical University and a branch of Irkutsk State University. Bratsk is connected by the Baikal Amur Mainline and an international airport.