Batken

Batken (also called Batkent) is a small town of about 13,000 population, in southwestern Kyrgyzstan, on the southern fringe of the Fergana Valley. It is the capital of Batken Region.

History

The name Batkent is from the Iranian language of Sogdian and means "The city of wind". Batken became the administrative headquarters of the youngest of Kyrgyzstan's seven regions, created from the three westernmost districts of Osh Region in 1999, after concerns over radical Islamist activities in neighboring Tajikistan and Uzbekistan led to demands for a more direct and visible governmental presence in this remote and mountainous region. Batken Airport links the town with Bishkek. Since 2000, there is a small university in Batken.

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