Isfana
| Isfana Исфана |
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|---|---|
 Isfana
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| Coordinates: 39°50′14″N 69°32′0″E / 39.83722°N 69.533333°ECoordinates: 39°50′14″N 69°32′0″E / 39.83722°N 69.533333°E | |
| Country |  Kyrgyzstan |
| Province | Batken Province |
| Area | |
| • Total | 289.5 km2 (111.776 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,320 m (4,331 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 28,085 |
| Time zone | UTC+6 |
| Area code(s) | 3656 |
| Website | http://www.isfana.org/ |
Isfana (Russian: Исфана; Uzbek: Isfana, Исфана; Kyrgyz: Исфана) is a small town of about 28,085[1] at the extreme western end of Batken Oblast in southern Kyrgyzstan. Isfana is located at the southern fringe of the Fergana valley. Backed up against mountains and surrounded on three sides by Tajikistan, the town and the nearby villages are largely cut off from the rest of Kyrgyzstan. Isfana is the administrative center of Leilek District. The word "isfana" is believed to come from the Iranian Sogdian word "Aspanakent" which means "the land of horses".
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[edit] Climate
The climate of Isfana is sharply continental with cold winters and hot summers. The spring and fall see significant rainfall, while the summers are hot and dry. There are many dryland wheat and barley fields in the Isfana area that depend on winter snow and spring rain to produce good crops.
[edit] Economy
During the Soviet era there were many manufacturing industries in Isfana, but the difficult economic situation since independence has resulted in widespread factory closures. Many workers now go abroad to countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to make a living. Those who stay in Isfana engage in trade and agriculture, growing mostly grains. Animal husbandry is also widespread.
[edit] Transport
Isfana is landlocked. The town is served by an airport built during the Soviet period, although currently it only has flights to Bishkek. The distance from Isfana to the capital Bishkek is 960 km.
[edit] Education
There are two gymnasiums in Isfana: Gymnasium no 1, which is more commonly known as the Kyrgyz Gymnasium, and Uzbek Gymnasium No. 4 named after Usmon Matkarimov (more commonly known as the Uzbek Gymnasium). There are also several other secondary schools: Alisher Navoiy Secondary School (classes are taught Uzbek, Kyrgyz, and Russian), Isfana Secondary School (classes in Uzbek only), Gagarin Secondary School (classes in Russian only), Issyk Kul Secondary School (classes in Uzbek and Kyrgyz), Toktogul Secondary School (classes in Uzbek only), Amir Temur Secondary School (classes in Uzbek only). There is also a branch of the International Academy of Management, Law, Finance, and Business (Russian: Международной Академии управления, права, финансов и бизнеса) which has its main campus in Bishkek.
[edit] History
People have lived in Isfana since the 16th century. The Selsoviet (rural council) of Isfana was established in 1937. It was transformed into a village council in 1996. In 2001, Isfana was made into a town by a presidential decree by Askar Akayev.
Isfana was part of the Khanate of Kokand before the khanate was invaded by Tsarist Russia. The majority of the current population of Isfana are ethnic Uzbeks. This is a result of Joseph Stalin's divide and rule policy.[2][3] There are Uzbek towns in Kyrgyzstan and Tajik towns in Uzbekistan - in the Soviet Union borders were drawn inconsistent with the traditional locations of ethnic populations so that people with historical claims to land would be dependent on the central power, that is Moscow, making them easier to control. Many people in Central Asia believe that they should more appropriately be part of another country.
[edit] Geography
Isfana is located at at an altitude of 1,300 . The town is surrounded by mountains on three sides which are within two kilometres from the city.
[edit] References
- ^ The Official website of Isfana (In Russian)
- ^ Bradley Mayhew, Richard Plunkett , Simon Richmond Lonely Planet Central Asia (2nd Edition) Pp. 34, 159.
- ^ Plaut, Steven; Nodir Ataev. "Central Asia: Lessons for the Middle East". FrontPage Magazine. http://frontpagemag.com/2012/01/10/central-asia-lessons-for-the-middle-east/. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
