Fergana city located in eastern part of Uzbekistan, on the southern edge of the Fergana valley, acts as administrative center of Fergana region. Fergana was founded in 1876 by general Skobelev, it is about 420 km east of Tashkent and 75 km west of Andijan. Total square of the city - 95 sq.km. Fergana has common border with Margilan, Kuvasay, also Tashlak and Fergana regions. The city’s altitude is 580 m; it’s one of the important oil-production centers. Here, in 1908 was constructed the first oil-refinery.

Fergana has no ancient architectural and historical monuments but its outskirts famed for unique beautiful sites. To the south of the city, in Shakhimardansay valley, on the north descent of Alay chain there is mountain climatic resort “Khamzaabad”. Climat here soft, air clean, healing, especially near banks of the river. Surroundings of Khamzaabad are also picturesque. Up along Koksu valley there is Blue Lake - tourists’ favorite place.

On the foothills of Alay chain, in the center of Altyaryk valley, full of garden and vineyard greenery, there is location of Chimion village, known for its healing mineral springs. Spa sanatorium “Chimion” - one of the biggest health resorts in the Central Asia.

Subsoil of the region contains rich variety of natural resources. Among them large fields of quartz, deposits of gold, silver, aluminum, copper, iron, wolfram, uranium, molybdenum, granite, coal, marble, surveyed big deposits of oil and gas.

Nematov Khamid Kholikovich, khokim of Fergana region, is city’s head.

Population.
The city consists of 11 settlements. Population size approximately reached 230 thousand people: city dwellers - 229,8 thousand, i.e. 99,9%, rural population - 200 people. Here live 65,8% Uzbek, 3% Tajik, 18% Russian and other nationalities (Kyrgyz, Tatar, Ukranian, Azerbaijan, Armenian, Korean).

Social sphere.
At present, government of Uzbekistan pays high attention to social sphere. Thus, today there are 47 schools with 38949 pupils, 19 professional colleges with 29032 pupils, in healthcare sector there are 10 hospitals for 649 beds, 29 out-patient polyclinics and 6 rural medical stations.

Economics.
In the regional center of Fergana valley there is a network of enterprises specialized in different branches where the city boasts to have high potential. There are 80 big enterprises operating here. Among them special attention deserve: JSC «Farg’onaazot», «Qo’qonsuperfosfat zavodi», «Electromash», JV «Еurasia Tapo-Disk», JSC «Аutooyna», «Fergana yogmoy», «Ferganadonmakhsulot” and «Fergana oil refinery». By the end of 2008 their total output reached 639,1 bln soum.

In the industrial sector special place take chemical, oil refining, food, light, furniture, construction materials, machinery construction and detail processing, electronics. Basic kinds of industrial products are oil products, agricultural fertilizers, glass and glass items, cement, electronic devices and mechanisms, spare parts, etc.

Besides, measures are taken on further localization of the industry. The program data on industrial localization includes about 40 enterprises. So, in 2008 total output produced by own capacities reached the amount of more than 140,1 bln soum that allowed to save additionally more than 95,5 mln USD. Production of ammonia nitrate, cellulose, furniture paste, wheelchairs, surgical suture, various solvents, spare parts for cars produced by “UzDaewoo Auto” in neighboring Andijan region, etc.

In agricultural sector, by the end of 2008, total production output exceeded 881,4 bln soum, more than 60,4% fall to share of farmers and about 39,6% - stock-breeders. Today, total number of registered farms in Fergana valley - about 24963.

Recently, investments have been playing an important role in economic development of the city and region. As to 2008 summary, total amount of investments to economy and social-cultural sector of Fergana region reached more than 213,1 bln soum, and 107,4 bln soum out of that amount - foreign investments. There are successfully operated joint ventures founded with foreign partners. Today their number is 83, 3 of them put in commission in 2009.

Sector of trade and services enjoyed special development. In 2008 volume of retail trade exceeded 1192, 7 bln soum, services - 34,4 bln soum, general services - 77 bln. soum. The volume of external trade turnover of the region is rapidly growing. In particular, this index in 2008 exceeded 82,9 mln USD, out of that amount export share - 51,9 mln. USD, import - 30,9 mln. USD. Variety of export production reached 52 articles for 56 countries.

Also there are 40 non-governmental non-commercial organizations, about 6 registered printings, like “Fergana Khakhikati”, “Ferghanskaya Pravda”, «Fargona tongi», «Davr Ovozi», etc. Operates regional teleradiocompany.

Total number of operating small business entities of is 2 793, including 341 farms (average area of each - 6,7 hectars).

Geography.
Relief of the territory of Fergana valley is represented by a plain ascending from west to east from 360 to 500 m as well as from north to south along Kokand-Margilan towards Alay chain up to 576 m in the area of Fergana city and 700 - 1200 m - in the foothills zone. Northern part of Fergana region is occupied by Karakalpak and Yazyavan steppes of the Central Fergana. That land is all about sands alternating with salines. To the south of Tashkent-Andijan railway you can see dunes. Lands of Central Fergana (Karakalpak steppes) to the south are bordered with a band of spacious debris cones of the rivers flowing from Alay chain (Isfayramsay, Sokh, Isfara). The cones consist of sandy, loamy and clay deposits. Level ground of the region in the south is bordered by a band of adyrs of 1000-1200 m height, deep river plains. Behind the band of adyrs there are ravined foothills of Alay chain, between them located longitudinal plains. In Fergana valley on the left bank of Syrdaria and on territory of Kirov district, there are copper deposits, oil in Chimion area, sulphur in Shorsu, mineral springs in Altiaryk area. Mainly in the region there are grey desert and meadow-marsh soils. Adyrs mostly occupied with light and typical grey desert soils. On Syrdaria terrace - alluvial-meadow soils. They are featured with big quantity of mineral nutrients and, upon condition of irrigation, high natural fertility. Occasional salines.

Climat.
Climat in Fergana region, like whole valley, is continental. Winter - mild, sometimes severe. Average temperature of January -3,2°С (in Fergana), аbsolute minimum -25°С. Snow cover is of short-term. Some winter days can boast warm weather. Hot summer. Average temperature of July +28°С, maximum +40,4°С.

Unfavorable side of climate conditions in western part of the region is strong winds arisen in the neck of Fergana valley. Springtime they sometimes dry upper layers of the soil that results in baring root system of nursling cotton and other plants. Wind power here sometimes reaches 30 - 35 m /sec. On the average, Fergana region counts 42 wind days. Occasionally happen strong dust storms. As a rule, strong winds weaken as they move to eastern parts of the region. July often brings hot dry wind garmsil, especially in western part.

Precipitation level in Fergana region is extremely low. Especially dry are western and central parts. Best humidification conditions - in eastern part where annual precipitation level reaches 170mm. In the foothills precipitation level increasing to 270mm, at absolute maximum - up to 447 mm. Highest precipitation in springtime. Vegetation period in the region - 210-220 days per annum, summarized amount of available temperatures for vegetation period - 4300 - 4700°С.

In whole, climate in the region is milder that in neighboring Syrdarya and Tashkent oases, opened to northern winds. Locked position of Fergana valley defines, in general, stability of the weather; sometimes sudden drops of temperature never happen even in winter. Climate conditions of Fergana valley, considering irrigation system, are favorable for cultivating of cotton and other thermophytes.

Water resources.
Fergana valley has sufficient water resources. They are: Syrdarya and small rivers - Isfara, Sokh, Shakhimardansay and Isfairamsay flowing from Alay chain but not reaching Syrdarya. Rivers are full-watered, having convenient drainage conditions for watering. Maximum water consumption falls to summer months. Naryn river heads Big Fergana, South Fergana, also Big Andijan channels, many other main irrigation arteries crossing the territory of the region. Although basic water masses refer to Syrdarya, its water consumption level from March to September is up to 47% of annual flow. The bed of Syrdarya is located considerably lower the level of Fergana region, thus, outflow of irrigation channels is extremely difficult. All mentioned rivers except Sokha, are of ice-snow supply with two maximums of consumption. Sokh is predominantly of ice supply. Top full-watered these rivers become during melting of glaciers - in July and August. Big water run-off falls from March to September - 59% per annum.

Flora.
Flora in the region is very miscellaneous and plentiful. In northern part developed saline meadows or sazy (in Syrdarya region), on salines of Central Fergana - mainly various saltwort deserts. Considerable part of lands is occupied by cultivated plants, mostly cotton. In oases most popular are Lombardy poplar, mulberry, elm, willow, walnut, apricot, apple, pear, peach, pomegranate, fig, quince, cherry, plum, almond. Also grow robinia, tulip tree, yellowwood, ailanthus, etc. in eastern part of the region (Fergana and its outskirts) very wide-spread are plain trees. Along beds of rivers there are deciduous and coniferous forests preventing mountain slopes from erosion processes and also having economic significance.

Fauna.
Fauna is miscellaneous and plentiful. Out of mammals: aper - in Syrgarya tugai, wolf, fox, badger, porcupine - often met in adyrs and foothills of Alay chain, eared hedgehog, bat - in oases. Birds represented by sparrow, pastor, dove, especially turtle-doves, swallow, quail, hoopoe, cuckoo, crow, nightingale, etc. Partridge bronzewing and lark - in the foothills of rocky talus. Eagle and griffon - out of predacious birds. On the banks of water basins there are many kinds of ducks, sandpipers and other waterfowls. Reptiles include turtles, numerous lizards; arachnids - phalanges, scorpions, tarantula, fish - marinka, barbel, sheatfish, small carps.

Religion.
As above-mentioned, the population of Fergana and Fergana valley is in general multinational. And every nation tries to keep religious trends, common for its community. That’s why here, besides Muslim, live orthodox Christians, Catholics, evangelic Christians, Baptists and representatives of other confessions. Officially on the territory of Fergana valley have been registered following religious organizations: Fergana city temple of Sergiy Radonejskiy, Fergana city church of evangelic Christians “Hope”, Roman Catholic Church «The Blessed Virgin Maria», Fergana city church of the Seven-day Adventists, Fergana city church of Evangelist Baptist Christians, German Evangelist - Lutheran community “Nelo” Fergana city church of Christians of Evangelic Faith “Transfiguration”, Fergana city jewish community “Or Avner Khabad”.

Revival of historical monuments.
During years of independence, by initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan were restored, reconstructed and renewed dozens of most valuable historical and cultural monuments, places of spiritual worship, pilgrimage. At present restoration of Khazrat Ali Shakhimardoni mausoleum is being carried out on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Historical places, memorials, monuments, mausoleums of such famous people as Imam Al-Bukhari, Bakhautdin Nakshbandi, etc. since long time ago used to be places for worship and respect. Unfortunately, time and people had no compassion to some of historically sacred places, now they are partly or fully destroyed, deteriorated, heavily damaged from natural disasters.

Far upon the time, Khazrat Ali Shakhimardoni was such a sacred place in Shakhimardan valley. It’s known from historical record that in 1822 and 1899, after heavy earthquakes, it was destroyed and restored only in 1898 - 1899 years under Mingbashi Shokir’s supervision. But cardinal changes happened in 1920s did not spare this architectural monument. It was destroyed again, by 1951 - disappeared. Only 42 years later, during first years of independence, was decided to restore mausoleum by khashar (people’s efforts).

Unfortunately, during this reconstruction, architects and constructors did not care for saving of initial look of the historical monument. They did not use earlier-existed religious patterns and epigraph decorations. Its look changed and sharply differed from described in historical sources. In 1996 this monument in accordance with the President’s Decree was taken under protection and supervision by International Fund “Oltin Meros”.

Scientists and specialists of the fund drew their attention that, due to floor convergence, the building of mausoleum started destroying, its walls cracked. That’s why in the beginning of this year, initiated by the International fund “Oltin Meros”, Fergana regional state architectural control prepared a Statement on technical condition of this site. Employees of Fergana section of geological surveys conducted soil exploration under the building. In accordance with recommendations of these organizations, Plenum of International Fund decided to rebuild the object to return it initial look. Photos taken by famous artists Mukhammad Foziliy and dated by the end of 19th - beginning of 20th centuries were used as basic example. Now restoration works at the object are held by khashar and under supervision of experienced architects and constructors.

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