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Kyzylorda

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Kyzylorda is a major city located in south-central Kazakhstan.

Syr Darya
Syr Darya

It serves as the capital of the Kyzylorda Region. The city is built around the Syr Darya river, which flows through its center. As of 2020, the city had a population of 242,462 people. If you include the surrounding villages, the total population reaches 312,861. The city acts as a vital supply center for the oilfields in the nearby Turgay Basin. It also provides regional connectivity through its own airport.

The climate in Kyzylorda is classified as a cold desert climate, known scientifically as BWk. This means the region experiences hot summers and cold winters. Precipitation is quite low throughout the entire year. This dryness is most noticeable during the summer months. In the winter, light snow is a common occurrence. The temperature extremes in this region are significant. The lowest temperature on record was set in February 1969. On the other hand, the current record high temperature reached 44 degrees Celsius on July 7, 2021.

The history of the area stretches back to a settlement under Seljuk, the founder of the Seljuk dynasty. The modern city began to take shape around 1817. At that time, the site was a Kokand fortress named Ak-Mechet, which means "white mosque." The famous Yaqub Beg once served as the commander of this fort. In 1853, Russian troops led by General Vasily Perovsky captured the fortress during the Russian conquest of Turkestan. The Russians then established a new fort named Fort-Perovsky. The town of Perovsk eventually grew around this military installation.

In 1925, the city underwent a major political change. It was renamed Kzyl-Orda and became the capital of the Kazakh ASSR. The name Kzyl-Orda comes from two different linguistic roots. "Kzyl" is a Turkic word meaning red, used here with Soviet ideological connotations. "Orda" is a Turkic Mongolian word meaning city. This makes the name mean "red city." The city held its status as the capital until 1927. At that time, the capital was moved to the southeastern region of Alma-Ata. Since Kazakhstan gained independence in 1991, the Kazakh-based Romanized spelling "Kyzylorda" has been used.

Agriculture plays a massive role in the local economy. Kyzylorda is specifically famous for its rice production. Many hundreds of hectares of land are dedicated to growing this crop. To support this industry, two rice mills operate within the city. Education is another pillar of the community. Kyzylorda State University (KSU) was established in 1950. It serves as a leading center for science, culture, and education in the Aral region. The university features 11 faculties and trains specialists in 54 different specialties.

There are many notable historical and scientific sites near the city. Tourists often visit the site of the vanished Aral Sea. The Baikonur cosmodrome is another major point of interest in the region. Visitors can also explore archaeological excavations at Sauran and Shyganak. The area contains several ancient mausoleums and the Korkyt Ata memorial complex. The city has also built connections with the rest of the world through sister city agreements. It is twinned with Arvada in the United States, as well as Bolu and Bursa in Turkey.

Life in the city has seen many changes since the Soviet era. Following independence, the city faced challenges with infrastructure. Many apartment buildings used as dormitories during the Soviet period lacked indoor plumbing. This led to the use of outhouses in many residential areas. However, the Kazakh Republic government has recognized these needs. In April 2018, reports indicated that the government was planning to modernize these Soviet-era buildings. This modernization aims to improve the living conditions for the people of Kyzylorda.

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