Length 877 km | Countries Uzbekistan, Tajikistan | |
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Zarafshan River (also Zaravshan or Zarafshon, Tajik: Дарёи Зарафшон, Daryoyi Zarafşon/Darjoji Zarafşon; Uzbek: Zeravshon/Зеравшон/زېرەۋشان, from the Persian word Zar-afšān, زرافشان, meaning "the spreader of gold") is a river in Central Asia. Its name, "spreader of gold" in Persian, refers to the presence of gold-bearing sands in the upper reaches of the river. To the ancient Greeks it was known as the Polytimetus. It was also formerly known as Sughd River.
Map of Zeravshan River
It rises at 39°30′N 70°35′E on the fringes of the Pamirs in Tajikistan, flowing due west for some 300 kilometres (190 mi), passing Penjikent before entering Uzbekistan at 39°32′N 67°27′E, where it turns west-to-north-west, flowing past the legendary city of Samarkand, which is entirely dependent on the oasis thus created, until it bends left again to the west north of Navoiy and further to the south-west, passing Bukhara before it is lost in the desert beyond the city of Qorako‘l (Karakul), not quite reaching the Amu Darya, of which it was formerly a tributary.
Tajikistan aims to construct several hydro-electric power stations on Zerafshan River and has signed the MOU in November 2013 with Zarvon Corporation for the financing and construction of the plants. All previous MOU's have been voided.