Ukhta or Uchta is an important industrial city in the Komi Republic of northwestern Russia. Population: 103,340 (2002 Census); 110,548 (1989 Census). Oil springs along the Ukhta River were already known in the 17th century. In the mid-19th century, industrialist M. K. Sidorov started to drill for oil in this area. It was one of the first oil wells in Russia. There was homecraft oil-field in 1920–1921 in Ukhta. Lying on the river of the same name, the settlement was founded as the village… (More on Ukhta)