Information about the city

Information about the city

Turkestan (kaz. Turkistan) is a city in the south of Kazakhstan, not far from the Syrdarya River. Since June 19, 2018, it has been the administrative center of the Turkestan region (formerly known as South Kazakhstan). One of the oldest cities in Kazakhstan. Located 160 km northwest of Shymkent on the Tashkent railway between Kyzylorda and Tashkent. The Turkestan region is located in the south of Kazakhstan, within the eastern part of the Turan lowland and the western spurs of the Tien Shan. Most of the territory is flat, with hilly-ridge sands of the Kyzylkum, the Shardara steppe (in the southwest, along the left bank of the Syr Darya) and Moiynkum (in the north, along the left bank of the Chu). The northern part is occupied by the Betpak-Dala desert, in the extreme south - the Hungry Steppe (Myrzashol). The middle part of the region is occupied by the Karatau ridge (Mount Bessaz - 2176 m), in the southeast - the western outskirts of the Talas Alatau, the Karzhantau ridges (height up to 2824 m) and Ugamsky (the highest point - Sairam peak - 4238 m). The largest rivers are the Syrdarya (with tributaries Keles, Kurukkeles, Arys, Bugun, etc.) that crosses the territory of the region from south to northwest, and the Chu River (lower course), which flows in the north and is lost in the sands of Moiynkum. The region is located in the zone of sharply continental climate. Fertile soils, abundance of sunlight, vast pastures create great opportunities for the development of various branches of agriculture in this area, primarily irrigated agriculture and pasture sheep breeding. Cotton and rice crops, as well as orchards and vineyards give high yields.