Jizzakh Province

Jizzakh Province (Uzbek: Jizzax viloyati / Жиззах вилояти) is a viloyat (province) of Uzbekistan located in the center of the country. It borders with Tajikstan to the south and south-east, Samarqand Province to the west, Navoiy Province to the north-west, Kazakhstan to the north, and Sirdaryo Province to the east. It covers an area of 20,500 km². The population is estimated to be around 910,500, with some 80% living in rural areas.

The provincial capital is Jizzakh (pop est 127,500 inhabitants). Other major towns include Dustlik, Gagarin, Gallyaaral (Gallaorol), Pakhtakor, and Mardjanbulak. Jizzakh Province was formerly a part of Sirdaryo Province but was given separate status in 1973.

The climate is a typically continental climate, with mild winters and hot, dry summers.

The economy of Jizzakh Province is primarily based on agriculture. Cotton and wheat are the main crops, and extensive irrigation is used. Natural resources include lead, zinc, iron, and limestone.

The province has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, with over 2500 km of surfaced roads.

The beautiful Zaamin National Park, formerly Guralash Preserve, on the western slopes of the Turkestan Range and known for its unique fauna and flora, is also within the province.

Wildlife is extremely rich here; in spring and in summer alpine meadows are gay with multitude of colors, bright-red tulips and snow-white acacias. In autumn the hills they are magnificently decorated with the golden domes of the hazelnut trees, columns of birch-trees, towering plane trees, and green thickets. High in the mountains, in the upper part of the Garalashsay gorge, is a nesting-place of black storks. These rare birds are the pride and joy of Uzbekistan. They are written down in the "Redbooks" in many countries as an endangered species. Early in the spring when the Amasay Depression is flooded, flocks of ducks, wild geese, pelicans and grey herons come here. This territory serves as a nesting place for rose-coloured starlings, shrikes, and sandpipers.