Termez

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Termez (Uzbek: Termiz) is a city in southern Uzbekistan near the border with Afghanistan. City was named by Greek people who come together with Alexander the Great. Termez means in Greek "hot" or "hot place" (Thermo or Thermos). It is still hottest point of Uzbekistan. It has a population of 140.404 (1 January 2005), and is the capital of the Surxondaryo Province. Its most famous native son is Al-Tirmidhi, born in its suburb Bugh.

The river Amu Darya divides the two countries and the "Bridge of Appeasement" is the only way to Afghanistan.

An ancient settlement was discovered near Termez, which was populated in the times of the Greek-Bactrain rules (3rd - 2nd c. B.C). It was center of Buddhism at the period of Kushans (1st -2nd c. A.C.) When Arabs came (in the 7th -8th c.) the city became the center of Islam. Said Baraka, Amir Temur’s teacher was from old Termiz. Said Baraka was philosopher, war strategic and religious nobleman. During Amir Timur's time Termez continued to prosper, however it was destroyed at the end of 17th century. In 1897 the modern city emerged with Russian fortress and garrison. Termez was a primary transit point during the Soviet invasion (1979-89) of Afghanistan.

Historical and architectural monuments of Termez:

Kyrk-Kyz (out-of-town Palace Country Estate) (9th -14th c.)
Palace of Termez rulers (11th -12th c.)
Architectural Complex of Khakim-at-Termezi (10th -15th c.)
Architectural Ensemble Sultan-Saodat (10th - 18th c.)
Kokildora Mausoleum-Khanaka (16th c.)
Kara-Tepe Monastery (2nd - 4th c. A.D.)
Fayaz-Tepe Monastery (1st - 3rd c. A.D.)
Zurmala Tower (1st -2nd c. A.D.)

For more archaeological news about the ancient city of Termez, see the web site of the French-Uzbek mission http://ximebenj.club.fr/index.htm.

During the war in Afghanistan (1979-89) over 100,000 Soviet troops were based in Termez. The airbase is currently the main support base for German and Dutch forces operating with the ISAF in Afghanistan.