Chortoq District

Location and history

Chortoq District was formed on 15 April 1950, abolished in 1959 and re-created in 1980. It borders Yangiqurgan District to the west, Uychi to the south and south-east, and Kyrgyzstan to the north and east. It lies on the southern slopes of the Chatkal Range at 300–1,500 metres, crossed by streams such as the Chortoqsoy and the Namangansoy (Pochchaotasoy in its upper reaches).

Its centre is the town of Chortoq, whose name combines Persian chor, 'four', and Turkic toq, 'hill': the town once had four man-made mounds used for defence and signalling, three of which survive.

What it is known for

Chortoq is known throughout Uzbekistan for its healing mineral waters, with the Chortoq and Pakhtalikul sanatoria and mineral-water bottling plants. The Fergana Valley ring railway passes through the town, and the Namangan–Chortoq–Nanay road is a route of national importance. Farming here is based on orchards and cotton.