city, Bashkortostan republic, western Russia. The city lies along the Belaya River at its confluence with the Sterlya. The small settlement of Ashkadarskaya Landing became the city of Sterlitamak in 1781, but it prospered only after 1940 with the development of the Volga-Urals oil field and local salt and limestone deposits. Sterlitamak's industries produce synthetic rubber, chemicals, soda ash, caustic soda, and cement. The city has a teacher-training institute. Pop. (1992 est.) 254,000.