Happy TravellerWelcome to Kyzylorda, a city located in south-central Kazakhstan and the capital of Kyzylorda Region. Formerly known as Kzyl-Orda, Ak-Mechet, Perovsk, and Fort-Perovsky, Kyzylorda has a rich history that dates back to the Seljuk dynasty. The city is home to a population of 242,462 people (2020 Census) and historically developed around the Syr Darya river and the site of a Kokand fortress. Today, Kyzylorda is a bustling city that offers visitors a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. In this article, we will explore some of the top attractions and experiences that Kyzylorda has to offer.
History:
Kyzylorda has a long and fascinating history that dates back to the Seljuk dynasty. The modern city had its beginnings in 1817 as the site of a Kokand fortress known as Ak-Mechet. In 1853, during the Russian conquest of Turkestan, the fort was taken by Russian troops under General Vasily Perovsky. The Russians established a new fort and called it Fort-Perovsky, after the general. The town of Perovsk in Russian Turkestan later developed around the fort. In 1925, the city was renamed Kzyl-Orda and was designated as the capital of the Kazak ASSR. The name literally means a red city, from the Turkic кзыл (red; used here in the common Soviet ideological connotation) and the Turkic Mongolian орда (city). In 1927 the capital was relocated to the southeastern region and Alma-Ata. Kyzylorda, the Kazakh-based romanized spelling, has been used since the late 20th century after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Kazakhstans independence in 1991.
Climate:
Kyzylorda has a cold desert climate with hot summers and cold winters. Precipitation is low throughout the year, particularly in the summer months. Snow is common, though light, in winter. The lowest temperature on record is −36.1 °C (−33.0 °F), recorded in February 1969, and the highest temperature is 46.5 °C (115.7 °F), recorded on July 7, 2021.
Agriculture:
Kyzylorda is known for its rice production. Many hundreds of hectares are devoted to rice production. Two rice mills operate in the city.
Education:
Kyzylorda State University (KSU) after Korkyt ata is the leading center of education, a science and culture center in the Aral region of the Republic Kazakhstan. Established in 1950, the university trains highly skilled specialists in 54 specialties at 11 faculties.
Transportation:
Kyzylorda has one airport. It has developed as the supply center of the important oilfields in the nearby Turgay Basin.
Tourism:
Kyzylorda is a city that offers visitors a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Points of interest for tourists in the Kyzylorda region include the vanished Aral Sea and the Baikonur cosmodrome, archaeological excavations in Sauran and Shyganak, the memorial complex of Korkyt Ata, and several ancient mausoleums. The vanished Aral Sea is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in environmental issues. Once one of the largest lakes in the world, the Aral Sea has been shrinking for decades due to overuse of its water for irrigation purposes. Today, the sea has all but disappeared, leaving behind a barren landscape that is both eerie and fascinating. The Baikonur cosmodrome is another popular attraction in the Kyzylorda region. This is the world’s first and largest operational space launch facility, and it has been used to launch many of the most important space missions in history. Visitors can take a tour of the facility and learn about the history of space exploration. Archaeological excavations in Sauran and Shyganak offer visitors a glimpse into the region’s rich history. These ancient cities were once important centers of trade and culture, and they are now home to some of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world. The memorial complex of Korkyt Ata is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Kazakh culture. This complex is dedicated to Korkyt Ata, a legendary poet and musician who is considered to be the father of Kazakh music. Finally, several ancient mausoleums can be found throughout the Kyzylorda region. These mausoleums are important cultural and historical landmarks, and they offer visitors a glimpse into the region’s rich past.
Notable people:
Kyzylorda has been home to many notable people throughout its history. Some of the most famous include Asim Thahit Abdullah Al Khalaqi, a Yemeni formerly held in Guantanamo who was given asylum by Kazakhstan in 2015, Vladimir Hotineanu, former Health Minister of Moldova, Eliezer Kulas, an Israeli politician, Oleg Tozoni, an engineer and inventor, Marina Volnova, an Olympic boxer, Ilya Ilyin, an Olympic heavylifter, Batyrkhan Shukenov, a Soviet, Kazakh-Russian singer, and Mihhail Kõlvart, the mayor of Tallinn.
Twin towns – sister cities:
Kyzylorda is twinned with several cities around the world, including Arvada in the United States, Bolu and Bursa in Turkey.
In conclusion, Kyzylorda is a city that offers visitors a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you are interested in exploring the region’s rich history, learning about Kazakh culture, or simply enjoying the natural beauty of the area, Kyzylorda has something to offer everyone. So why not plan your visit today and discover all that this fascinating city has to offer?
