The Fergana Valley is located in the east of Uzbekistan and the south of Kyrgyzstan, and from all sides is surrounded by mountain ranges: Chatkal in the north, Kurama in the northwest, Fergana in the east, and Alay and Turkestan in the south. The Syrdarya is one of the major rivers of Central Asia. Formed by the confluence of the Naryn and Kara Darya rivers, it flows through the Fergana Valley and continues toward the North Aral Sea. Agriculture has a long history in this region, where people cultivated crops and developed irrigation systems in ancient times. Over the centuries, Central Asia also played an important role in the exchange of agricultural products between East and West along the Silk Road. In the Fergana Valley, the main trade route from China to Europe - The Great Silk Road passed. The Fergana Valley was known for its "heavenly horses," as they were called by the Chinese. Scientists proved that these horses were the progenitors of the famous Akhal-Teke and Arabian horses. In the Chinese chronicles of the II century BC, it is mentioned that on the territory of Davani (The Fergana Valley) there were more than 70 cities, the largest of which had an area of 40 hectares. In the IX-X centuries, Akhsikent, the capital of Fergana, was one of the largest trade centers, where coins were minted, and first-class steel was produced.
The famous medieval astronomer Akhmed-al-Fergani and Zakhiriddin Bobur, the founder of the State of the Great Mughals in India. The cities of the Fergana Valley were destroyed after the invasion of the Mongolian and were restored in the ХVI century. In the ХVIII century in the Fergana Valley, the independent state – Kokand Khanate, with its capital in Kokand, was established. The khanate strengthened steadily and by the end of the XIX century (before the Russian invasion) it conquered the vast territory, including Zhetysu – “Seven Rivers” (the territory of today's Kyrgyzstan and south-eastern Kazakhstan), the Tashkent oasis, and flat areas of Tajikistan.
Today the Fergana Valley is the most densely populated and the most fertile territory of Uzbekistan. The best cotton, watermelons, and melons are grown here and Namangan apples are known far beyond Uzbekistan. The Fergana Valley maintained the traditions of old craftsmen: ceramists, blacksmiths, and jewelers. Fergana is the biggest producer of natural silk.
Kokand was the capital of the strong Kokand Khanate in the XVI-XX centuries. The original palace of Khudoyarkhan (1871) - the last khan of Kokand- is preserved to this day. The regional historical museum is located in it. The majolica has original colors and patterns not found in other regions of Uzbekistan. Narbuta-Biy madrassah (1799) and Modarikhon mausoleum (1825) are also interesting.
Margilan - a small historic town near Fergana. In the Х century. This town was a center of silk production, where now the only Central Asian factory of handmade silk (khan-atlas) is located. Visitors can trace the technology of creating silk products from the cultivation of silkworms to the dyeing of fabrics. And tourists can buy original souvenirs as a keepsake. The complex Kaftarlik (1742) and the mausoleum of the saint Pir-Siddik are also interesting.
Andijan - the birthplace of Zahiriddin Babur, the founder of the dynasty of the Great Mughals, which reigned in India for more than 400 years. Now there is the memorial park of Babur, the historical museum, and the largest mosque in the Fergana Valley - Juma Mosque (XIX c.).
Rishtan – a small village, 50 km from Fergana; it became famous thanks to the dynasties of ceramists. Here you can watch their work and buy original handicrafts as a keepsake.
