Turkestan (KAZ. Turkistan is a city in southern Kazakhstan, near the Syrdarya river. Since June 19, 2018, it is the administrative center of Turkestan region (formerly called South Kazakhstan). One of the oldest cities in Kazakhstan. Located 160 km Northwest of Shymkent on the Tashkent railway between Kyzylorda and Tashkent.
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 bumpy ridge Sands Kyzylkum, Shardara steppe (in the South-West, on the left Bank of the Syr Darya) and moyynkum (in the North, on 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 South-East-the Western outskirts of Talas Alatau, Karzhantau ranges (height up to 2824 m) and Ugam (the highest point — Sairam peak-4238 m).
The largest rivers — Syr Darya (with tributaries Keles, Kurukkeles, Arys, Bugun, etc.) crosses the territory of the region from South to North-West, and the river Chu (lower course), flowing in the North and lost in the Sands of moynkum.
The region is located in the zone of sharply continental climate. Fertile soils, plenty of sunlight, extensive pastures create great opportunities for the development of various branches of agriculture in this area, primarily irrigation agriculture and sheep grazing. High yields are given by crops of cotton, rice, as well as gardens and vineyards.
The administrative-territorial structure of the region includes 13 districts and 3 cities of regional subordination:
- Baidibek district;
- Kazygurt district;
- Maktaaral district;
- Ordabasinsky district;
- Otyrar district;
- Sairam district;
- Saryagash district;
- Suzak district;
- Tolebi district;
- Tulkubas district;
- Shardara district;
- Zhetysay district;
- Keles district;
- G. A. Arys;
- G. A. Kentau;
- G. A. Turkestan.
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Area |
116,280 sq km. |
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Regional center |
Turkestan, major cities-Kentau, Arys. |
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Neighboring regions and countries: |
in the North — Karaganda, in the East — Zhambyl, in the South — Uzbekistan, in the West-Kyzylorda. in the South-West with Uzbekistan, in the South East with Kyrgyzstan.; Saryagash and Maktaaral district district borders with Uzbekistan. |
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Climatic conditions |
Sharply continental temperate zone, arid. Winters are mild, short and with frequent thaws, summers are hot and long. Average temperature of January: in the North -8°C, in the South -3°C. average temperature of July: in the North +29°C, in the South +25°C. Average annual precipitation: in the North-150 mm, in the South-500 mm, in the mountains-about 800 mm. Average annual relative humidity: 55-60%. |
Key socio-economic indicators
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Population |
2 016.1 |
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Inflation |
5.3 |
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Unemployment rate |
5.1 |
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GRP |
105.1 |
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Average monthly salary |
122 759 |
Source: stat.gov.kz