Country Kyrgyzstan Time zone East (UTC+6) Districts 9 Area 20,200 km² | Capital Bishkek ISO 3166 code KG-C Cities 4 Population 790,438 (1 Jan 2009) | |
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Destinations Bishkek, Ala Archa National Park, Tokmok, Sokuluk Clubs and Teams FC RUOR-Guardia Bishkek Points of interest Burana Tower, Kyrgyz Ala‑Too Range, Ala Archa National Park, Osh Bazaar, Ala‑Too Square Colleges and Universities Kyrgyz National University, Kirgisisch‑Russische Slawische Universit, Manas University, International University of Kyrgyz, American University of Central | ||
Chuy Region or Chui Region (Kyrgyz: Чүй облусу, Çüy oblusu Russian: Чуйская область) is the northernmost region (oblast) of the Kyrgyz Republic. It is bounded on the north by Kazakhstan, and clockwise, Issyk Kul Region, Naryn Region, Jalal-Abad Region and Talas Region. Its administrative center is Bishkek, but from 2003 to May 2006 it was Tokmok.
Contents
- Map of Chuy Province Kyrgyzstan
- Geography
- History
- Economy
- Transport
- Socioeconomic indicators
- Demographics
- Ethnic composition
- Districts
- References
Map of Chuy Province, Kyrgyzstan
Geography
The main northwest part of the region is flat, a rarity in Kyrgyzstan. This is the valley of the Chu River. The valley's black soil is very fertile and is largely irrigated with water diverted from the Chu River. The region's Agricultural production includes wheat, maize, sugar beets, potatoes, lucerne, and various vegetables and fruits.
The Kyrgyz Ala-Too mountains form southern border of the region, and the northern border of Talas Region. There are many hiking and trekking routes accessible from the towns in the valley. The southwestern heel of the region over the Kirgiz Alatau is geographically more like Naryn Region.
The northeast panhandle is the Chong Kemin Valley.
History
In 1926, the region became part of the newly established Kirghiz ASSR. During the Soviet period, various agro-processing and other industries were established throughout the province, giving rise to a number of urban centers such as Tokmok, Kant and Kara-Balta.
Economy
Agricultural production includes wheat, maize, sugar beets, potatoes, lucerne, and various vegetables and fruits. There is little industry in the region.
Transport
The main east-west transportation axis of the region is the Taraz-Bishkek-Balykchy highway, running through most major cities of the region. This road's section west of Bishkek is part of European route E40, known locally as Highway M-39 (based on the old USSR highway numbering scheme). The same numbers apply to the road that continues north-east from Bishkek toward Almaty, crossing the Chuy River and leaving the region for Kazakhstan at Korday border crossing.
The only railway in the region runs along the same Taraz-Bishkek-Balykchy route; it sees comparatively little use these days.
Socioeconomic indicators
Demographics
As of 2009, Chuy Region included 4 towns, 5 urban-type settlements, and 331 villages. Its population, according to the Population and Housing Census of 2009, was 790,438.
Ethnic composition
The population is considerably more heterogeneous than that of the other regions of the country, with many ethnic Russians, Ukrainians, Dungans, Koreans, Germans, etc.
According to the 2009 Census, the ethnic composition (de jure population) of Chuy Region was:
Districts
Chuy Region is divided administratively into 8 districts, and the district-level city of Tokmok: The Chuy District surrounds the city of Tokmok. The Alamudun District surrounds the city of Bishkek, which however is not part of Chuy Region but a province-level administrative unit in its own right. The southwestern heel is administered as two exclaves of Jaiyl and Panfilov Raions, Panfilov having a valley to the southeast and Jaiyl the mountains to the north, west and southwest. Raions below are listed from east to west.