a river in the northern part of the Buriat ASSR; a left-bank tributary of the Vitim River. Length, 365 km; basin area, 11,900 sq km. The Muia rises in the Muiakan Range and flows northeast through a narrow intramontane valley and passes through the Muia-Kuanda Basin in its lower course. It is fed chiefly by rain. The Muia’s lower course is a backwater of the Vitim River. The river is rich in fish, including the taimen (Hucho taimen), grayling, tugun (Coregonus tugun), and whitefish. It is navigable for launches as far as Taksimo (about 100 km), and it is used for floating timber. The basin of the Muia contains deposits of chrysotile asbestos.