Soledar

Soledar ( _uk. Соледар) is a city in Donetsk Oblast (province) of Ukraine. Population is 13,151 (2001). The name of the town stands for 'gift of salt' both in Russian and Ukrainian. In Soviet times, until 1991, the city was known as "Karlo-Libknekhtivsk" ( _uk. Карло-Лібкнехтівськ). The main enterprises of the city are related to mining and processing industries: [http://www.artyomsalt.com State Enterprise Association Artyomsol] is mining and processing rock salt and Knauf Gips Donbass (a subsidiary of a German gypsum producer KNAUF).The first settlement in the area of the town appeared not later than in 1881, with the start of commercial salt production.The town has a major tourist attraction: the underground galleries and chambers of salt mines, which are also used extensively for speleo (cave) treatment of asthma and other lung diseases.Soledar is administratively subordinated to Artemivsk.