Tashkömür

Tashkömür (Kyrgyz: Ташкөмүр, also written Tash-Kumyr) is one of the five largest towns of Jalal-Abad Region in Southern Kyrgyzstan. It is located along the West bank of the Naryn River, opposite the main Osh - Bishkek road. Located at the edge of the Tien Shan Mountains, when heading South from Bishkek, Tashkömür is the gateway to the Fergana valley.

History

Officially founded on December 17, 1943, Tashkömür, meaning stone-coal, grew into one of the largest industrial centers of the Central Asian region of the Soviet Union. It was primarily a mining town, but had a cigarette factory and other industries as well, which complemented the output of the coal mines. A railroad was constructed, and trains transported the coal out of Tashkömür to all corners of the Soviet Union. At its peak, Tashkömür had a population of around 35,000.

Dams constructed along the Naryn river transformed what used to be a stream into a sizable river. Residents will also attest to a change in climate, which they attribute to the dams. Furthermore, the Tashkömür dam and the Shamaldysay dam raised the water level considerably, causing certain settlements to be submerged by the water. Despite the presence of the dams and hydroelectic plants, Tashkömür still does not have 100% reliable electricity.