city and capital of Kabardino-Balkariya (Kabardino-Balkaria), southwestern Russia. The city lies along the Nalchik River where the latter leaves the Caucasian foothills. Founded as a Russian fortress in 1818, the town remained unimportant until after the October Revolution (1917). Now it is a popular holiday, climbing, and health resort, with several sanatoriums. There is considerable industry, including engineering, hydrometallurgy (molybdenum and tungsten), and artificial-leather and foodstuff manufacture. A university and a Kabardino-Balkariya research institute are located in the city. Pop. (2006 est.) 271,447.