Tomsk, city, capital of Tomsk Oblast, southern Siberian Russia. Tomsk, a major distribution center, is a port on the Tom' River and is linked with the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Electrical equipment, ball bearings, chemicals, and footwear are manufactured in the city. The first university (1888) in Siberia is located here, as are several technical institutes. The city, one of the oldest in Siberia, was founded as a fortress in 1604. Population (1999 estimate) 481,100.
