Jizzakh Region

Coordinates: 40°25′N 67°40′E / 40.417°N 67.667°E / 40.417; 67.667

Jizzakh Region
Jizzax viloyati
Region
Country	Uzbekistan
Capital	Jizzakh
Area	20,500 km2 (7,915 sq mi)
Population	910,500 (2005)
Density	44 / km2 (114 / sq mi)
ISO 3166-2	UZ-JI

Jizzakh Region (Uzbek: Jizzax viloyati / Жиззах вилояти) is one of the regions of Uzbekistan. It is located in the center of the country. It borders with Tajikstan to the south and south-east, Samarqand Region to the west, Navoiy Region to the north-west, Kazakhstan to the north, and Sirdaryo Region to the east. It covers an area of 20,500 km². The population is estimated to be around 910,500, with some 80% living in rural areas.

The regional capital is Jizzakh (pop est 127,500 inhabitants). Other major towns include Dustlik, Gagarin, Gallyaaral (Gallaorol), Pakhtakor, and Mardjanbulak. Jizzakh Region was formerly a part of Sirdaryo Region but was given separate status in 1973.

The climate is a typically continental climate, with mild winters and hot, dry summers.

The economy of Jizzakh Region is primarily based on agriculture. Cotton and wheat are the main crops, and extensive irrigation is used. Natural resources include lead, zinc, iron, and limestone. Uzbekistan and China are working together to jointly establish a Special Economic Zone in the region. This high-tech industrial park will be formally established by March 2013. China Development Bank will provide a $50 million loan to finance several of the joint projects in the construction, agro-industrial and mechanical engineering sectors.^[1]

The province has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, with over 2500 km of surfaced roads.

The beautiful Zaamin National Park, formerly Guralash Preserve, on the western slopes of the Turkestan Range and known for its unique fauna and flora, is also within the province.

Wildlife is extremely rich here; in spring and in summer alpine meadows are gay with multitude of colors, bright-red tulips and snow-white acacias. In autumn the hills they are magnificently decorated with the golden domes of the hazelnut trees, columns of birch-trees, towering plane trees, and green thickets. High in the mountains, in the upper part of the Garalashsay gorge, is a nesting-place of black storks. These rare birds are the pride and joy of Uzbekistan. They are written down in the "Redbooks" in many countries as an endangered species. Early in the spring when the Amasay Depression is flooded, flocks of ducks, wild geese, pelicans and grey herons come here. This territory serves as a nesting place for rose-coloured starlings, shrikes, and sandpipers.

Districts

Division of Jizzakh Region into tumans (districts)

The province is divided into 12 districts (tumans):

Gallaorol District (also spelled Gallyaaral) is the largest district in Jizzakh Region with 1,959 km² and 130,000 people. This district borders with Jizzakh, Bakhmal, and Forish districts of Jizzakh Province and with Buklungur, Jomboy, and Kushrabot districts of Samarqand Province to the west. The district was called Yangikurgon until September 1926. Its current name Gallaorol derives from "Galla" – wheat and "Orol" – island. A leading politician of Uzbek SSR on a visit to this district said that wheat fields looked like islands, after which the name was officially changed. The district is one of the important industrial centers in Uzbekistan.

The town of Gallaorol (Gallyaaral) is the district capital. Founded in 1898-1899 as a railway depot on the Silk Road, Gallaorol became a town in March 1972 and today it spans an area of 34.3 km² with a population of 28,519.

External links

• Jizzakh Region official web site (browse through all accessible sections).

References

		South Kazakhstan Region,  Kazakhstan
	Navoiy Region		Sirdaryo Region
	Jizzakh Region
	Samarqand Region		Sughd Region,  Tajikistan

Regions of Uzbekistan Andijon Bukhara Fergana Jizzakh Namangan Navoiy Qashqadaryo Samarqand Sirdaryo Surxondaryo Tashkent Xorazm Autonomous republic: Karakalpakstan Capital city: Tashkent