Qurghonteppa

Population

It is estimated that the population of the city is close to 102,000 (est. 2014) people, making it the third-largest city in the country. The population fluctuates depending on season (due to Tajik immigrant workers in Russia).

Along with the capital Dushanbe, Qurghonteppa is demographically much more diverse than other major Tajik cities such as Khujand, Kulob or Istaravshan. Ethnicities include Tajiks, Uzbeks, Russians, Tatars, Ukrainians, Kazakhs, Greeks and many more. The city had a large number of ethnic Russians who were actively employed by the industrial and agricultural complexes in and around the city.

The political opposition in Tajikistan primarily comes from Qurghonteppa.

Overview

Qurghonteppa was seriously damaged during the civil war in 1992-1997; during and after that war 85% of the Russians left the city.

Qurghonteppa International Airport serves a handful of cities in Tajikistan, Russia and Kazakhstan. The city is considered to be the heart of cotton ("white gold") cultivation in Tajikistan.

Qurghonteppa and Kulob are the main cities of south Tajikistan. Qurghonteppa is a regional hub (one of the top four), especially for banking and telecommunications industries.

Tajik immigrant workers (mostly employed in Russia) have significantly contributed to the local economy since early 2000s.

Climate

Qurghonteppa has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk), with cool winters and very hot summers. Precipitation is quite low, and peaks in spring, while summers are very dry.

Notable people

Trivia

Finnish electronic duo Pan Sonic have a track entitled "Radio Qurghonteppa" on their 2010 farewell album Gravitoni.