# Kerki

> city in Lebap Province, Turmenistan

**Wikidata**: [Q2357934](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2357934)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerki)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kerki

## Summary
Kerki is a city in Lebap Province, Turkmenistan, with a history spanning multiple political eras, including the Emirate of Bukhara, Soviet Union, and independent Turkmenistan. It has served as an administrative capital and is known by several names, including Atamyrat and Atamurat.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Situated in Lebap Province, Turkmenistan, at coordinates 37.816666666667° N, 65.2° E, with an elevation of 242 meters above sea level.
- **Population**: Recorded populations include 10,651 (1939), 11,838 (1959), 14,298 (1970), 16,083 (1979), 19,747 (1989), 38,350 (2009), and 39,602 (2010).
- **Administrative Role**: Served as the capital of Kerki District (1925–present), Kerki Okrug (1924–1930, 1933–1939), and Q4219619 (1943–1947).
- **Name Changes**: Officially named "Керки" (Kerki) since November 25, 2017; previously known as "Атамурат" (Atamurat) from December 29, 1999, to November 24, 2017.
- **Historical Affiliations**: Part of the Emirate of Bukhara until 1920, the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1991, and Turkmenistan since 1991.
- **Identifiers**: Includes GND ID 4801927-6, VIAF ID 235246199, and Geonames ID 1219002.
- **Infrastructure**: Features the Atamyrat-Kerkiçi Bridge spanning the Amu Darya River.
- **Time Zone**: Operates in UTC+05:00.
- **UN/LOCODE**: Assigned the code TMKER.

## FAQs
**What is the historical significance of Kerki?**
Kerki has been a key administrative center in Turkmenistan, serving as the capital of various districts and okrugs during the Soviet era and post-independence. Its name changes reflect political shifts, notably from Atamurat back to Kerki in 2017.

**What are the alternative names for Kerki?**
Kerki is also known as Atamyrat, Zemm, Zamm, Atamurat, and in other languages like Japanese (アタムラト) and Russian (Атамурат).

**How has Kerki's population changed over time?**
The population has grown steadily, from 10,651 in 1939 to 39,602 in 2010, reflecting urbanization and administrative importance.

**What is the geographic location of Kerki?**
Kerki is located in Lebap Province, Turkmenistan, at 37.816666666667° N, 65.2° E, with an elevation of 242 meters above sea level.

**What identifiers are associated with Kerki?**
Key identifiers include GND ID 4801927-6, VIAF ID 235246199, Geonames ID 1219002, and UN/LOCODE TMKER.

## Why It Matters
Kerki is a historically significant city in Turkmenistan, reflecting the region's political and administrative evolution. Its role as a district capital and its name changes highlight its importance in Turkmenistan's governance. The city's growth and infrastructure, such as the Atamyrat-Kerkiçi Bridge, underscore its economic and strategic value.

## Notable For
- Serving as the capital of multiple administrative divisions, including Kerki District and Kerki Okrug.
- Undergoing name changes that mirror political transitions, notably from Atamurat to Kerki in 2017.
- Hosting the Atamyrat-Kerkiçi Bridge, a key infrastructure project spanning the Amu Darya River.
- Experiencing steady population growth, from 10,651 in 1939 to 39,602 in 2010.

## Body
### History
Kerki has a rich history tied to the Emirate of Bukhara until 1920, followed by incorporation into the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1991. Since 1991, it has been part of independent Turkmenistan. The city's administrative role includes serving as the capital of Kerki District (1925–present), Kerki Okrug (1924–1930, 1933–1939), and Q4219619 (1943–1947).

### Name Changes
The city's official name has evolved over time. From December 29, 1999, to November 24, 2017, it was known as "Атамурат" (Atamurat). Since November 25, 2017, it has been officially named "Керки" (Kerki). Other historical aliases include Atamyrat, Zemm, Zamm, and Atamurat.

### Population and Demographics
Kerki's population has grown significantly over the decades:
- 10,651 (1939)
- 11,838 (1959)
- 14,298 (1970)
- 16,083 (1979)
- 19,747 (1989)
- 38,350 (2009)
- 39,602 (2010)

### Geography and Infrastructure
Located in Lebap Province, Turkmenistan, Kerki sits at coordinates 37.816666666667° N, 65.2° E, with an elevation of 242 meters above sea level. The city is notable for the Atamyrat-Kerkiçi Bridge, which spans the Amu Darya River.

### Administrative and Political Role
Kerki has been a key administrative center, serving as the capital of various districts and okrugs. Its role in governance reflects its importance in Turkmenistan's political and administrative landscape.

### Identifiers and References
Kerki is associated with several identifiers, including:
- GND ID: 4801927-6
- VIAF ID: 235246199
- Geonames ID: 1219002
- UN/LOCODE: TMKER
- Freebase ID: /m/03ymj_g
- MusicBrainz Area ID: 3b3089d9-a0cc-4fb6-8cb1-875413dfc01a

### Cultural and Linguistic Context
Kerki is referenced in multiple languages, including Arabic, Azerbaijani, Catalan, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Kazakh, Korean, Lithuanian, Polish, Russian, Tajik, Turkish, Tatar, Ukrainian, Urdu, Uzbek, and Chinese. This multilingual presence highlights its cultural and historical significance.

### Notable Features
- **Atamyrat-Kerkiçi Bridge**: A key infrastructure project spanning the Amu Darya River.
- **Historical Affiliations**: Part of the Emirate of Bukhara, Soviet Union, and independent Turkmenistan.
- **Administrative Importance**: Served as the capital of multiple districts and okrugs.

### Related Entities
- **Lebap Province**: The province in which Kerki is located.
- **Kerki District**: The district for which Kerki has served as the capital.
- **Kerki Okrug**: The okrug for which Kerki has served as the capital.
- **Emirate of Bukhara**: The historical entity to which Kerki belonged until 1920.
- **Soviet Union**: The political entity to which Kerki belonged from 1922 to 1991.
- **Turkmenistan**: The independent country to which Kerki has belonged since 1991.

### References and Sources
Kerki is documented in various sources, including the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, and is referenced in multiple languages on Wikipedia. Its identifiers and references provide a comprehensive understanding of its historical and administrative significance.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. MusicBrainz
3. 1939 Soviet census
4. 1959 Soviet census
5. 1970 Soviet census
6. 1979 Soviet census
7. 1989 Soviet census
8. GeoNames
9. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File