# Fergana

> capital of Fergana Province in eastern Uzbekistan

**Wikidata**: [Q486329](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q486329)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fergana)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/fergana

## Summary
Fergana is a large city and the administrative capital of Fergana Province (Region) in eastern Uzbekistan. Founded in 1876, it covers an area of 95.6 square kilometers and is situated at an elevation of 590 meters above sea level. As of January 1, 2022, the city had a population of 299,200, serving as a significant urban center in the Fergana Valley with a continental climate.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Eastern Uzbekistan, Fergana Region. Coordinates: 40.386°N, 71.786°E.
- **Inception**: Founded in 1876.
- **Area**: 95.6 square kilometres.
- **Elevation**: 590 metres above sea level.
- **Population (2022)**: 299,200 (as of January 1, 2022).
- **Time Zone**: UTC+05:00.
- **UN/LOCODE**: UZFEG.
- **Postal Codes**: 712000–712200.
- **Official Language**: Uzbek.
- **Historical Names**: New Margelan, Novi Margelan, Skobelev, Fargʻona.
- **Twin Cities**: Cherkasy, Ivanovo, Yongin, Novorossiysk.
- **Website**: https://fergana.uz/

## FAQs
**What is the population of Fergana?**
As of January 1, 2022, the population of Fergana was estimated at 299,200, calculated via demographic balance.

**What is the historical significance of the city's name?**
Originally founded as New Margelan (Новый Маргелан), the city was renamed Skobelev (Скобелев) in 1907, a name it held until 1924 when it was renamed Fergana (Fargʻona).

**What administrative divisions has Fergana been part of?**
Fergana has served as the capital of the Fergana Region since 1926. Historically, it was located in the Margelansky Uyezd until 1918, and later the Fergana Okrug from 1926 to 1930. It has been part of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic and the modern Republic of Uzbekistan.

**What is the climate of Fergana?**
Fergana has a continental climate.

**Where can I find more information about Fergana online?**
The city's official website is fergana.uz (in Uzbek). It is also documented in major encyclopedias like Britannica (place/Fergana-Uzbekistan) and the Great Russian Encyclopedia.

## Why It Matters
Fergana is a pivotal administrative and demographic hub within the eastern region of Uzbekistan. Its establishment in the late 19th century and subsequent development reflect the broader historical shifts in Central Asia, from Tsarist Russian administration through the Soviet era to its current status as a regional capital in an independent Uzbekistan. The city's sustained population growth—from just under 9,000 in 1897 to nearly 300,000 in 2022—demonstrates its enduring role as a center of settlement and activity in the Fergana Valley.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Capital**: Serving as the capital of Fergana Region since 1926.
- **Historical Nomenclature**: Changing names from New Margelan to Skobelev and finally to Fergana, reflecting different political eras.
- **Demographic Growth**: A consistent and significant population increase over more than a century.
- **International Partnerships**: Twin city relationships with Cherkasy (Ukraine), Ivanovo (Russia), Yongin (South Korea), and Novorossiysk (Russia).

## Body

### Geography and Climate
Fergana is located in eastern Uzbekistan within the Fergana Region. The city's precise coordinates are 40.386388888889°N latitude and 71.786388888889°E longitude. It sits at an elevation of 590 metres above sea level and encompasses a total area of 95.6 square kilometres. The climate is classified as continental.

### History and Administration
The city was officially founded in 1876, a date that marks its inception as a structured settlement. Administratively, Fergana has undergone several changes:
- **1876–1918**: Part of the Margelansky Uyezd.
- **1876–1924**: Located within the Fergana Oblast.
- **1926–Present**: Designated as the capital of the Fergana Region.
- **1926–1930**: Part of the Fergana Okrug.
- **1930–1938**: Located within the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic.
- **1938–Present**: Re-established within the Fergana Region of the Uzbek SSR (and later independent Uzbekistan).

### Demographics
Fergana has experienced substantial population growth over the last century. Key population milestones include:
- **1897**: 8,928
- **1939**: 35,646
- **1959**: 80,206
- **1970**: 111,311
- **1979**: 175,794
- **1989**: 200,373
- **1999**: 182,800
- **2010**: 234,700
- **2020**: 288,850
- **2022**: 299,200

### Names and Etymology
The city has been known by multiple names in various languages and historical periods. Its native name is Fargʻona (Фарғона).
- **Historical Official Names**:
  - *Новый Маргелан* (New Margelan): Used until December 1, 1907.
  - *Скобелев* (Skobelev): Used from December 1, 1907, until November 1924.
  - *Fargʻona / Фарғона*: Current official name.
- **Aliases and Variants**: Fergana, Novi Margelan, Farghana, Farghona, Ferghana, Fargona, Ferghâna, Farg'ona, Nowy Margelan, フェルガナ, Новый Маргилан, 大宛国, 다유안, 대완, 파르고나.

### External Identifiers and Resources
Fergana is cataloged in numerous international and national databases:
- **Wikidata / Wikipedia**: Covered in 81 sitelinks across languages including English, Russian, Uzbek, and many others.
- **Geographical Codes**: GeoNames ID 1514019; UN/LOCODE UZFEG; GNS Unique Feature ID -2576373.
- **Library and Authority Files**: Library of Congress Authority ID n84802232; Bibliothèque nationale de France ID 11960320j; VIAF ID 153661938.
- **Encyclopedic References**: Documented in the Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia, Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron, Small Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1926–1947), Hrvatska enciklopedija, and the TDV Encyclopedia of Islam.

### Media and Imagery
Visual representations of the city include a page banner and an emblem:
- **Page Banner**: Available via Wikimedia Commons at `Wv_Fergana_banner.jpg`.
- **Coat of Arms**: Accessible via Wikimedia Commons at `Coat_of_arms_of_Fergana.gif`. An alley in Fergana is also depicted in a commons image (`Фергана_аллея.jpg`). The main category for media files on Wikimedia Commons is "Category:Fergana".

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. MusicBrainz
5. 1939 Soviet census
6. 1959 Soviet census
7. 1970 Soviet census
8. 1979 Soviet census
9. 1989 Soviet census
10. Russian Empire census
11. [Source](https://www.farstat.uz/uz/rasmiy-statistika/demography-2.html)
12. GeoNames
13. BBC Things
14. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/uz.htm)