Updated: 31.10.2003

Town, Chita region, east-central Russia. Population 16,900 (1991).

The town lies along the Nercha River just above the latter's confluence with the Shilka.

Nerchinsk was founded as a fort in 1654. Once it served as an important customs post and trading centreon the route to China, but the town declined when it was bypassed by the Trans-Siberian Railway in the late 19th century.

There are minor electromechanical and food-processing industries in the town.