Qurghonteppa

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Qurghonteppa Oblast was an administrative subdivision in Tajikistan.
Qurghonteppa
Qurghonteppa (Tajikistan )
Qurghonteppa
Qurghonteppa
Location in Tajikistan
Coordinates: 37°50′11″N 68°46′49″E / 37.83639, 68.78028
Country Tajikistan
Province Khatlon

Qurghonteppa (Tajik: Қурғонтеппа; formerly known as Курган-Тюбе Kurgan-Tyube, from the Persian word گرگان تپه (Kurkān Tapeh) meaning "Hills of Gurgan") is a city in southwestern Tajikistan. It is the capital of the Viloyati Khatlon region and it is located 100 km from Dushanbe. It is estimated that the population of the city is close to 85,000 (est. 2006) people, making it the third-largest city in the country. The population fluctuates depending on season (due to Tajik immigrant workers in Russia). The political opposition in Tajikistan primarily comes from Qurghonteppa.[1]

Qurghonteppa International Airport serves a handful of cities and Russia and Kazakhstan. The city is considered as the heart of cotton ("white gold") cultivation in Tajikistan.

Along with the capital Dushanbe, Qurghonteppa is demographically much more diverse than other major cities such as Khujand, Kulob or Istarafshan. Ethnicities include Tajiks, Uzbeks, Russians, Tatars, Ukrainianss, Kazakhs, Greeks and many more. The city had a large number of ethnic Russians who were actively employed by the industrial and agricultural complexes in and around the city. Qurghonteppa was seriously demaged during the civil war in 1992-1997; during and after that war 85% of the Russians left the city.

Qurghonteppa International Airport serves a handful of cities and Russia and Kazakhstan. The city is considered to be the heart of cotton ("white gold") cultivation in Tajikistan.

Qurghonteppa and Kulob are the main cities of south Tajikistan. Qurghonteppat is a regional hub (one of the top 4), especially for banking and telecommunications industries.

Tajik immigrant workers (mostly employed in Russia) have significantly contributed to the local economy since early 2000s.

Coordinates: 37°50′11″N, 68°46′49″E

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ethnic groups at risk: The status of Tajiks Heritage Society