# Batken

> city in Kyrgyzstan

**Wikidata**: [Q478031](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q478031)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batken)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/batken

## Summary
Batken is a city in Kyrgyzstan that serves as the administrative center for both the Batken Region and the Batken District. Founded in 1934, it covers an area of 205 square kilometers and sits at an elevation of 1,036 meters. As of 2021, the city has a recorded population of 27,730 inhabitants.

## Key Facts
- **Country**: Kyrgyzstan
- **Inception**: 1934
- **Location**: Batken Region (since October 13, 1999); formerly Osh Region (until October 12, 1999)
- **Administrative Role**: Capital of Batken Region and Batken District
- **Population**: 27,730 (2021)
- **Area**: 205 square kilometres
- **Elevation**: 1,036 metres above sea level
- **Coordinates**: 40.0625° N, 70.819444° E
- **Local Dialing Code**: 3622
- **Instance of**: City, human settlement
- **GND ID**: 1093427558
- **GeoNames ID**: 1528735

## FAQs
**What is the administrative role of Batken?**
Batken functions as the dual administrative center for the Batken Region and the Batken District. It assumed the status of regional capital on October 13, 1999.

**How has the population of Batken changed over time?**
The city has experienced consistent growth, starting with a population of 1,430 in 1939 and reaching 27,730 by 2021. Significant population milestones include 10,243 residents in 1989 and 13,435 in 2009.

**Where is Batken geographically located?**
The city is situated in Kyrgyzstan at an elevation of 1,036 meters, with geographic coordinates of 40.0625 latitude and 70.819444 longitude. It resides within the Batken Region, having been moved from the Osh Region in 1999.

## Why It Matters
Batken serves as a critical administrative hub in southern Kyrgyzstan, functioning as the political center for the Batken Region and District. Its significance is underscored by its reclassification in 1999, which established it as a regional capital separate from the Osh Region. The city's sustained population growth—tripling between 1979 and 2021—highlights its developing importance as a settlement in the region. Additionally, its extensive presence across international knowledge bases and 46 Wikipedia language editions reflects its global recognition as a distinct geographical entity.

## Notable For
- **Dual Administrative Status**: Serves simultaneously as the capital of both a region (Batken Region) and a district (Batken District).
- **Rapid Population Growth**: The population doubled between 2009 (13,435) and 2021 (27,730).
- **Regional Transition**: Transitioned from being part of Osh Region to becoming the capital of the newly formed Batken Region in October 1999.
- **Global Identifiers**: Cataloged in numerous international systems including GeoNames, GND, Who's on First, and OpenStreetMap.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Batken is classified as a city and large human settlement located within the nation of Kyrgyzstan. It covers a total surface area of 205 square kilometres. The city is geographically positioned at 40.0625 latitude and 70.819444 longitude, resting at an elevation of 1,036 metres above sea level.

Administratively, Batken holds a significant role as the capital of both the Batken Region and the Batken District. Historically, the city was located within the Osh Region until October 12, 1999. On the following day, October 13, 1999, it was designated as part of the Batken Region, likely coinciding with the establishment of the region itself.

### Historical Demographics
The city was officially founded (inception) in 1934. Census data tracks its growth from a small settlement to a mid-sized city over several decades:
- **1939**: 1,430
- **1959**: 1,948
- **1970**: 5,569
- **1979**: 7,157
- **1989**: 10,243
- **1999**: 10,987
- **2009**: 13,435
- **2021**: 27,730 (Preferred value)

### Communications and Infrastructure
The city utilizes the local dialing code **3622**. It is mapped in OpenStreetMap under node ID 271659191 and is indexed in OpenWeatherMap with city ID 1528735.

### Digital and Knowledge Representation
Batken is extensively documented across various digital archives and semantic web databases. It holds the following unique identifiers:
- **GND ID**: 1093427558
- **GeoNames ID**: 1528735
- **Freebase ID**: /m/04r1x3
- **Who's on First ID**: 421174351
- **GNS Unique Feature ID**: -2331328
- **KBpedia ID**: Batken-ProvinceKyrgyzstan
- **SNARC ID**: Unna

The city is the subject of a Wikipedia article titled "Batken," which is available in 46 languages including English, Russian, Kyrgyz, Chinese, Persian, and Turkish, resulting in a sitelink count of 52. The main category for the entity on Wikimedia Commons is "Batken," and it has a designated "topic's main category" listed as Category:Batken.

### Symbols
The city has official heraldic and civic symbols available in the public domain:
- **Flag**: [Flag of Batken](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_Batken.svg)
- **Coat of Arms**: [Coat of Arms of Batken](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Баткен.svg)

## References

1. GEOnet Names Server. 2018
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. 1939 Soviet census
4. 1959 Soviet census
5. 1970 Soviet census
6. 1979 Soviet census
7. 1989 Soviet census
8. 1999 census of Kyrgyzstan
9. census of Kyrgyzstan 2009
10. GeoNames
11. KBpedia