VERKHNE-UDINSK (now re-named ULAN UDE) a town of Asiatic Russia, the capital of the Buriat-1VIongol A.S.S.R. It is on the Uda river, at its confluence with the Selenga, and has steamer communication with Lake Baikal, and southwards with Mongolia. It is also on the Siberian railway, and has grown markedly since the railway was constructed in 1905. The climate is extreme, average July temperature 66.2°, Jan. -17.3° F. The
water supply to the railway in winter is a difficulty, since the ground is frozen and water pipes cannot be buried below frost level. Pop. (1926) 27,571. The town was on the 18th century military Siberian road and was formerly a great centre for the tea trade from Mongolia via Kiakhta. (See TROITSOKOSAVSK. )