Biysk, city in southern Russia. Located in the Altay Territory of eastern Siberia, Biysk lies along the Biya River near its junction with the Katun' River. Biysk's chief economic activities include machine building (production of boilers and equipment for the food industry), woodworking, chemicals, and light industry (clothing and shoe production). In addition, the food industry includes meat, dairy, and sugar production. Biysk is located at the end of the Altay rail line and at the beginning of the Chuyskiy highway that leads to Mongolia. The city has a teaching institute and several technical schools to train labor for the city's industries. A museum of regional history and a theater are also located in Biysk. Like many Siberian cities, the city started out as a military fortress in 1709. Biysk was recognized as a city in 1782. Population (1995) 254,469.
