Jalal-Abad (; ) is the administrative and economic centre of
Jalal-Abad Region
Jalal-Abad (; ) is a region (''oblast, oblus'') of Kyrgyzstan. Its capital is the city of the same name, Jalal-Abad. It is surrounded by (clockwise from the north) Talas Region, Chüy Region, Naryn Region, Osh Region, and Uzbekistan. Jalal-Abad ...
in southwestern
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan, officially the Kyrgyz Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Asia lying in the Tian Shan and Pamir Mountains, Pamir mountain ranges. Bishkek is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Kyrgyzstan, largest city. Kyrgyz ...
. Its area is ,
and its resident population was 123,239 in 2021.
It is situated at the north-eastern end of the
Fergana valley
The Fergana Valley (also commonly spelled the Ferghana Valley) in Central Asia crosses eastern Uzbekistan, southern Kyrgyzstan and northern Tajikistan.
Encompassing three former Republics of the Soviet Union, Soviet republics, the valley is e ...
along the
Kögart river valley, in the foothills of the
Babash Ata mountains, very close to the
Uzbekistan
, image_flag = Flag of Uzbekistan.svg
, image_coat = Emblem of Uzbekistan.svg
, symbol_type = Emblem of Uzbekistan, Emblem
, national_anthem = "State Anthem of Uzbekistan, State Anthem of the Republ ...
border.
Overview
Jalal-Abad is known for its mineral springs in its surroundings, and the water from the nearby
Azreti-Ayup-Paygambar spa was long believed to cure lepers. Several
Soviet
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until Dissolution of the Soviet ...
era
sanatoriums offer mineral water treatment programs for people with various chronic diseases. Bottled mineral water from the region is sold around the country and abroad.
History

One of
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan, officially the Kyrgyz Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Asia lying in the Tian Shan and Pamir Mountains, Pamir mountain ranges. Bishkek is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Kyrgyzstan, largest city. Kyrgyz ...
's main branches of the
Silk Road
The Silk Road was a network of Asian trade routes active from the second century BCE until the mid-15th century. Spanning over , it played a central role in facilitating economic, cultural, political, and religious interactions between the ...
passed through Jalalabat and the region has played host to travelers for thousands of years, although few archaeological remains are visible today – except in some of the more remote parts of the region – such as
Saimalu Tash and the
Chatkal valley. These have included travelers, traders, tourists and pilgrims (to the various holy sights) and sick people visiting the curative spas such as in the
Ayub Tau mountain, at the altitude of 700 m above sea level some three kilometers out of town.
There is a legend that the water from the
Azreti-Ayup-Paygambar (the Prophet Job) spa cured lepers. According to the legend there was a grave, a mosque and the khan's palace near the spa.
-abad is a
Persian
Persian may refer to:
* People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language
** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples
** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...
suffix often used in city names in
Persianate societies to refer to the person who founded the community. It is said that Jalalabat was named after
Jalal ad Din, who was renowned for setting up
Caravanserai
A caravanserai (or caravansary; ) was an inn that provided lodging for travelers, merchants, and Caravan (travellers), caravans. They were present throughout much of the Islamic world. Depending on the region and period, they were called by a ...
s to serve travelers and many
pilgrim
The asterisk ( ), from Late Latin , from Ancient Greek , , "little star", is a typographical symbol. It is so called because it resembles a conventional image of a heraldic star.
Computer scientists and mathematicians often vocalize it as ...
s who came to the holy mountain.

In early 19th century a small
Kokand fortress was built, and a small
kishlak grew up around this. The local people were engaged in agriculture and trade and provided services to the
pilgrim
The asterisk ( ), from Late Latin , from Ancient Greek , , "little star", is a typographical symbol. It is so called because it resembles a conventional image of a heraldic star.
Computer scientists and mathematicians often vocalize it as ...
s visiting the spas. Then, in the 1870s, Russian settlers came to the region. They set up a garrison town and military hospital.
Population
Climate
Jalal-Abad has a
hot, dry-summer continental climate (''Dsa'') according to the
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...
. There is more rainfall in winter than in summer. The average annual temperature in Jalal-Abad is . About of precipitation falls annually.
Economy
The train line (a rarity in
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan, officially the Kyrgyz Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Asia lying in the Tian Shan and Pamir Mountains, Pamir mountain ranges. Bishkek is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Kyrgyzstan, largest city. Kyrgyz ...
), runs from the
Ferghana Valley
The Fergana Valley (also commonly spelled the Ferghana Valley) in Central Asia crosses eastern Uzbekistan, southern Kyrgyzstan and northern Tajikistan.
Encompassing three former Soviet republics, the valley is ethnically diverse and relation ...
northeast about 30 km to
Kökjanggak.
Biggest Companies: Kyrgyz-Canada JV "Kyrgyz Petroleum Company", АО «Kelechek», АО «Nur». AOZT «KyrgyzChlopok», JV «Ak-Altyn» process cotton. There are the tobacco-curing companies «Tura-Ai» Ltd and «Aziz-Tabak» Ltd., that export 90% of their output to 17 countries. There are also mill houses АО «Azrat Ayib», AOZT PTK «Intershaq», «Mariam & Co» ltd, and the liquor manufacturer AOZT «Jalalabat Arak Zavodu».
Tourism

The
Jalal-Abad Region
Jalal-Abad (; ) is a region (''oblast, oblus'') of Kyrgyzstan. Its capital is the city of the same name, Jalal-Abad. It is surrounded by (clockwise from the north) Talas Region, Chüy Region, Naryn Region, Osh Region, and Uzbekistan. Jalal-Abad ...
is known for its walnuts and scenery. Local sites include the
Arslanbob Waterfalls and
Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve and Lake. In the city itself, sites include the town square and the culture park, which contains various sculptures and Jalalabad's theater.
See also
*
References
External links
Jalal-Abad official website*
{{Authority control
Populated places in Jalal-Abad Region