Sol-Iletsk | city, spa town, district center

 city, spa town, district center

Town in Orenburg Oblast, Russia, located on the right bank of the Ilek River (Ural's tributary), 77 kilometers (48 mi) south of Orenburg, the administrative center of the oblast. Population: 28,377 (2010 Census).
It was founded in the 17th century as a Cossack settlement. In the mid-18th century, it was renamed Iletskaya Zashchita (Илецкая защита) due to the construction of fortifications. The name was then changed to Iletsk (Илецк) in the 19th century. In 1945, the town was given its present name. A thick bed of rocksalt is worked near this town (hence, the word "соль" (sol) in the town's name, which means "salt" in Russian). The place has also been known as a balneological resort for its mineral waters, salt, mud, and brine baths, and its kumis cures.