Sirdarya Province

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Sirdaryo Province Sirdaryo viloyati
Capital:	Gulistan
Area:	5,100 km²
Population:	648,100 (2005)
Population density:	127 people/km²
ISO 3166-2:	UZ-SI

Sirdarya Province (Uzbek: Sirdaryo viloyati, Сирдарё вилояти) is a viloyat (province) of Uzbekistan, located in the center of the country on the left bank of Syr Darya River. It borders with (Kazahstan), Tajikstan, Toshkent Province and Jizzakh Province. It covers an area of 5,100 sq. km., and is mostly desert, with the Starving Steppe taking up a significant part of the province's area. The population is estimated to be around 648,100.

[edit] Administration

Srydarya Province is divided into 9 administrative districts. The capital is the city of Guliston (pop. est. 54,000 inhabitants). Other cities and towns include Baxt, Boyovut, Farhod, Qahramon, Sayhun, Sirdaryo, Shirin and Yangiyer.

[edit] Climate

The climate is a typically arid continental climate with extreme differences between winter and summer temperatures.

[edit] Economy

The economy is based on cotton and cereal crops, with strong reliance on irrigation and on cattle breeding. Minor crops include forage plants, vegetables, melons, gourds, potatoes, maize, a variety of fruit and grapes. Industry consists of construction materials, irrigation equipment and raw-cotton processing.

Srydarya contains one of Uzbekistan's largest hydroelectric power plants, which generates one third of the country's electricity.