Tourism portal - Paratourism

Panorama of Kara-Balta. Virtual tour of Kara-Balta

The Zhaiyl district of the Chui region of Kyrgyzstan occupies 3028 km². 92,645 people live in twelve settlements of the Zhaiyl district. The city of Kara-Balta is its administrative center. The name of the city is translated from Kyrgyz as “black axe”. Directories of Kara-Balta specify that throughout its history it was a trading settlement: in the 6th-8th centuries, called Nuzket, it was a trading center on the Great Silk Road; at the beginning of the 20th century, numerous artels were located here; since 1975 it has become a large industrial center of the Chui region. Previously it was called Mikoyan and Kalininskoye. Formed in 1825, it received city status in 1975. The map of Kara-Balta shows that it is located at the foot of the Ala-Too slope at an altitude of 700-750 meters. It is bordered by the Kara-Balta River, which originates at the confluence of the mountain rivers Tuyu, Abla, and Kol. 37.8 thousand people live on the territory of Kara-Balta.

Industrial enterprises and organizations of Kara-Balta are represented by the Kara-Balta Mining Combine - the largest processing of uranium-containing ore in Central Asia. This complex also produces molybdenum, rhenium, tungsten, tin, silver, and barite. The city is the largest transport hub in the region. The Tashkent-Taraz-Bishkek-Balykchy railway line and the Tashkent-Bishkek-Almaty highway run through here. Highways running along the right bank of the Kara-Balta River are of great importance for the economic and social development of the city. Many firms and companies of Kara-Balta are engaged in logistics and transportation. Small and medium-sized businesses are represented by Kara-Balta institutions that process agricultural products. Educational institutions in Kara-Balta are represented by secondary schools and kindergartens. At the moment there is a problem here related to the shortage of teachers and educators.

All Kara-Balta telephones require dialing the code “+996 331-33” to the local subscriber number. The Yellow Pages of Kara-Balta are the most informatively comprehensive publication, providing all the information about organizations, firms and companies operating in the city. Kara-Balta telephone directories are republished annually and include all the necessary contacts for residents and guests of the city. Kara-Balta telephone directories can be found in all bookstores.

Brief information about the city of Kara-Balta

The city of Kara-Balta, bordered by the Kara-Balta River (translated from Kyrgyz as Chernaya Rechka), is located in the Chui Valley, 62 km from the city of Bishkek. Built in 1825, it received city status in 1975. Population - 44 thousand people. The city-forming enterprise is the Karabalta Mining Combine (KGRK) - the largest enterprise in Central Asia for processing uranium-containing ore.

Karabaltinsky Park. A variety of trees and plants, and cute squirrels running around them.

Monument to the older generation in the park.

In general, the Kyrgyz are very respectful of the older generation. The concept of clan is the main thing for them, and any Kyrgyz, if you wake him up in the middle of the night, will name his relatives up to the 7th generation. Every event (40 days from the birth of a child, buying a house, etc.) is accompanied by wild celebrations. The Kyrgyz are marked with toy (toy is a kind of ransom from relatives). On the holiday, one must not lose face, and at least slaughter a horse and several sheep in order to feed all the numerous relatives. Maybe that’s why the Kyrgyz live poorly, since 1 holiday costs at least 60 thousand rubles, and with their average salaries (about 2-4 thousand rubles for our money), you only work for “that one”.

The Karabalta House of Culture is a recognizable building, isn’t it, especially for residents of closed cities.)) The Kyrgyz people greatly value the heritage of the USSR - the country in which they lived well.

Look at the next photo - see the generator?

Such devices, noisy, but small in size, are located in almost every store, because Kyrgyzstan has a huge problem with electricity. In winter, electricity is turned off from 14:00 to 18:00, and from 23:00 to 6:00. In summer, it is turned off periodically. All outages occur due to the fact that electricity is produced mainly only at the Toktogul hydroelectric station, which at the same time also supplies Uzbekistan with electricity. Newspapers constantly publish reports on the water level at the Toktogul hydroelectric station; if the water level rises, people are happy that there will be more light in their houses.)

Due to power outages, the competitive advantages of organizations are posted in the form of signs on the door).

And here is the beauty itself - Toktogul hydroelectric power station.

The Naryn River, on which the Taktagul hydroelectric power station stands

Just beautiful views on the way to the hydroelectric station. Susamyr Valley

Snowmen

Road. In yurts they sell kumis, kurdak (cheese) and other locally produced products.

National Kyrgyz costume. It comes with a white felt hat, which the older generation wears everywhere. And in general, in terms of preserving traditions, the Kyrgyz are simply great! National holidays are held, for example, chasing the bride on horseback, cutting the bonds (a knife is passed between the legs of children on the ground), and many others.

Simple Kyrgyz families eat mainly delicious tandoor flatbreads. More than once I have seen the mother of a family buying 20 or more flatbreads per day. The flatbreads are inexpensive (8 rubles for our money), tasty and, most importantly, filling.

And this is how they prepare

And what do we see in the end? Beauty!

Just a character

And here is the Kyrgyz hat. You see fortune telling on stones, they told me for happiness to obey my husband, to start all my work on Tuesday and a quick journey.) (Fortune telling 50 soms - about 40 rubles with our money).

For those curious, I post the exchange rate

Pay attention to how the Kyrgyz are fighting smoking. 50% of the pack is a warning, and even in 2 languages. We can learn.)

This is such a funny picture))

Automatic gas water supply.) Original design.

People walk through the market. By the way, I really liked the Kyrgyz nation - there are practically no fat people, mostly everyone is slim. There are a lot of beautiful girls, unfortunately it was not possible to photograph them. And what beautiful names the Kyrgyz people have - Talent, Almaz...

In Kyrgyzstan, all water is used to water fields and vegetable gardens. This is a river with almost no water left.

And this is a canal from this river for irrigation and other needs

Original and inexpensive car wash).

This is a majestic gumbez for Batyr, one of the national heroes. By the way, it was built by a local thief in law to atone for his sins.)

And we met this statue on the way to Issyk-Kul

I fell in love with Kyrgyzstan with all my heart for the beauty of nature, smiling people, warm climate and abundance of fruits. I hope you also enjoyed my little excursion.

This wonderful city is located in Kyrgyzstan. Until 1992 it was a city of regional subordination of the Kalininsky district. Located on the northern slope of the Kyrgyz ridge in the western part of the Chui region and just an hour’s drive from Bishkek. The terrain is quite calm with some depression. A river called Kara-Balta flows along the perimeter of the city. The first mention of settlement in these territories dates back to the 5th century AD. The city has modern buildings where public institutions are located, including those related to infrastructure, and their architecture is also worth looking at.

Attractions

There is a Russian military base here, but it is unlikely that you will be allowed to admire its interiors and exteriors.

Don't forget about natural attractions either. One of these is the city’s hydrographic network, represented by the Kara-Balta River, which borders the city from the east for about 7 kilometers and originates in the mountain glaciers at the confluence of the mountain rivers Abla, Kol, and Tuyuk. The length of the river as a whole is 133 km, the river is fed by snow and ice. In the city area, the bed of the Kara-Balta River is dry, because in the upper zone at the river’s exit from the mountain gorge there is a watershed with irrigation diversion canals, one of which runs through the city. The river bed and floodplain are used for quarrying. On the way here you can stop by.

The city has a surprising amount of greenery: majestic pine trees on the main street of the city - Turar Kozhomberdiev Street, two perennial parks, forest plantations along all highways. On the eve of the 30th anniversary of their city, Karabalta residents planted over 30 thousand fruit and ornamental trees. Now they have beauty and no excess carbon dioxide. There would be so many green spaces everywhere and many would give up traveling a couple of stops and would happily walk!

How to get there?

There are airports in Kyrgyzstan, and then you can get there by rail or highway by bus or taxi. Kara-Balta is one of the largest transport hubs in the Chui region: from west to east it is crossed by the Tashkent-Taraz-Bishkek-Balykchy railway line and the Tashkent-Bishkek-Almaty highway, which are of interstate importance. You will not be left indifferent

Kara-Balta (Kyrgyzstan: Karabalta - “black ax”) is a city in Kyrgyzstan, the administrative center of the Zhaiyl district of the Chui region. Until 1992 it was a city of regional subordination of the Kalininsky district.

Population - 37.8 thousand people (2009).

Story

Already in the 5th-8th centuries, agricultural settlements arose in the Chui Valley. After the invasion of Genghis Khan, tribes of nomads and cattle breeders lived here from the 14th to the 19th centuries. After the region was subjugated to the Kokand Khanate at the beginning of the 19th century, a fortification was erected in the Chui Valley.

Geography

Located on the northern slope of the Kyrgyz ridge in the western part of the Chui region, 62 km from the city of Bishkek in the temperate latitude zone. The terrain is calm, with a slight decrease in elevation in the direction from south to north. The city is bordered by the Kara-Balta river.

Economy

Kara-Balta is a city of district subordination, which has its own public institutions and associations, business entities, administrative structures of ministries and departments, and is one of the most important transport hubs in the Chui region. During the existence of the USSR, Kara-Balta was a closed city with several secret industries, including the main enterprise of the city - the Kara-Balta Mining Combine (KGRK) - the largest enterprise in Central Asia for processing uranium-containing ore. These production facilities are located in a special zone with high-quality industrial infrastructure, housing and social facilities in the southern part of the city. Despite the fact that many of these enterprises are currently closed, have reduced production volumes or have been repurposed to produce other products to continue their work, to this day the city of Kara-Balta provides 70% of the industrial output of the Chui region. On the territory of the city there are 32 joint-stock companies, 93 LLCs, 12 enterprises providing services to the population, 22 small and medium-sized enterprises processing agricultural products, 39 cafes and canteens.

Education

In 2002, the city became fully responsible for the management of kindergartens and secondary schools, although salaries of teachers and educators are paid from categorical grants. The regional level is responsible for vocational training and the republican level for the provision of higher education. Currently, the problem of education is acute in this city. Teachers have to work ten hours a day to fill the teaching shortage.

Russian military base

338th communications center of the Russian Navy. Located in the village of KaraBalta (Chaldovar), Chui region of Kyrgyzstan, it provides communication between the Main Headquarters of the Russian Navy and submarines and surface ships on combat duty in the Pacific and Indian oceans. The unit also carries out radio-technical reconnaissance in the interests of the General Staff of the Russian Navy.

Kara-Balta (Kyrgyzstan: Kara-Balta - “black ax”) is a city in Kyrgyzstan, the administrative center of the Zhaiyl district of the Chui region. Until 1992 it was a city of regional subordination of the Kalininsky district. The population of the city in 2009 was 37.8 thousand people (2009). According to 2015 data, 47,000 people are registered in the city, but more than 70,000 people actually live

Geography

Located on the northern slope of the Kyrgyz ridge in the western part of the Chui region, 62 km from the city of Bishkek in the temperate latitude zone. The terrain is calm, with a slight decrease in elevation in the direction from south to north. The city is bordered by the Kara-Balta river.

Already in the 5th-8th centuries, agricultural settlements arose in the Chui Valley. After the invasion of Genghis Khan, tribes of nomads and cattle breeders lived here from the 14th to the 19th centuries. After the region was subjugated to the Kokand Khanate at the beginning of the 19th century, a fortification was erected in the Chui Valley. In 1974, the Russian resettlement village of Kara-Balta was founded.

Economy

Kara-Balta is a city of district subordination, which has its own public institutions and associations, business entities, administrative structures of ministries and departments, and is one of the most important transport hubs in the Chui region. During the existence of the USSR, the upper southern part of the city was a closed “mailbox” with several secret industries, including the main enterprise of the city - the Kara-Balta Mining Combine (KGRK) - the largest enterprise in Central Asia for processing uranium-containing ore. These production facilities are located in a special zone with high-quality industrial infrastructure, housing and social facilities in the southern part of the city. Despite the fact that many of these enterprises are currently closed, have reduced production volumes or have been repurposed to produce other products to continue their work, to this day the city of Kara-Balta provides 70% of the industrial output of the Chui region. On the territory of the city there are 32 joint-stock companies, 93 LLCs, 12 enterprises providing services to the population, 22 small and medium-sized enterprises processing agricultural products, 39 cafes and canteens. The largest enterprise of the post-Soviet period is the oil refinery.

Education

The city has a Food College, a branch of the Kyrgyz Technical University, as well as a medical school and 13 secondary schools with instruction in Kyrgyz and Russian, and there is also a network of preschool institutions.

Transport

Station of the Kyrgyz Railway The main highways Bishkek - Tashkent and Bishkek - Osh pass through the city. There are several city bus routes operating within the city, represented by low-capacity buses. Also very popular are numerous private minibuses in the form of passenger cars.

Notes

Information about the city of Kara-Balta on the website of the Association of Cities of the Kyrgyz Republic Blog about the city of Kara-Balta. Photos…

Related publications