Balqash

Founded in 1937 as a copper-mining and smelting centre, Balqash sits on the northern shore of Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan, one of the largest lakes in the world. The lakeside setting gives the city a waterfront character unusual for an industrial town, and the surrounding Kazakh Uplands add open highland terrain nearby. It remains an active copper-producing city, giving it a working industrial identity alongside its lake access.

• Population81,364
• Nearest water from center 3.8 km2.4 mi
• Nearest mountain from center 5.8 km3.6 mi