|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
Semey
Semey, Kazakhstan Semipalatinsk Founded as a Russian fortress in 1718 some 10 miles (16 km) downstream from the present town near the ruins of a Buddhist monastery which consisted of seven buildings. The original name, meaning ‘Seven‐halled’ or ‘Seven Palaces’ from the Russian sem′ ‘seven’ and palata ‘palace’, is a reference to these seven buildings. To escape the spring flooding of the Irtysh River, the town was moved to its present location in 1778. It was the capital of the short‐lived Alash‐Orda independent Kazakh state in 1917. After Kazakhstan achieved its independence in 1991 the name was changed to Semey ‘Seven’.
|
|
|
Cite this article
JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Semey." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Semey." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-Semey.html JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Semey." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-Semey.html |
|