# Konye-Urgench

> city

**Wikidata**: [Q48472](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q48472)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konye-Urgench)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/konye-urgench

## Summary
Konye-Urgench is a historic city and archaeological site located in the Daşoguz Region of Turkmenistan, serving as the former capital of the Anushtegin dynasty and the Khanate of Khiva. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005 for its cultural criteria (ii) and (iii), it preserves the ruins of the ancient city known in various languages as Köneürgenç, Kunya-Urgench, and Gurgandsch. The settlement currently has a population of 36,754 and functions as a significant historical landmark in Northern and Central Asia.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** City and archaeological site.
*   **Location:** Daşoguz Region, Turkmenistan (Coordinates: 42.316666666667° N, 59.158611111111° E).
*   **Timezone:** UTC+05:00.
*   **Official Name:** Köneürgenç.
*   **Native Label:** Köneürgenç.
*   **World Heritage Status:** Inscribed in 2005 under criteria (ii) and (iii); World Heritage Site ID 1199.
*   **Historical Capitals:** Capital of the Anushtegin dynasty and the Khanate of Khiva (1511–1920).
*   **Population (2009):** 36,754 (preferred value).
*   **Population History:** 2,681 (1939), 9,013 (1959), 14,130 (1970), 17,896 (1979), 21,827 (1989), 34,677 (2009).
*   **Administrative History:** Located in the Khanate of Khiva until 1920; located in Daşoguz Region since December 14, 1992.
*   **Identifiers:** VIAF ID 141100703, GNS Unique Feature ID -2559476, World Heritage Site ID 1199, Library of Congress Authority ID no2007136705.
*   **Aliases:** Konya-Urgench, Old Urgench, Urganj, ounya-Ourguentch, Konye Urgench, Kunya Urgench, Kounya-Ourguentch, Kounya Ourguentch, Gourandj, Kunya-Urgench, Köneürgenç, Konye-Ourgentch, Kunja-Urgentsch, Köneürgenc, Gurgandsch, Koneurgenc, クニヤ‐ウルゲンチ, Кенеургенч, Джурджания, Коне-Ургенч, Гургандж, Куня-Ургенч.
*   **Media:** Image of KonyeUrgenchMausoleum available on Wikimedia Commons; Page banner features Turabek Khanum Mausoleum.
*   **Wikipedia Presence:** Available in 58 languages including English, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, and Turkmen.
*   **External IDs:** Freebase /m/06yqlf, GeoNames 601608, OpenStreetMap Node 1990934341, Who's on First 421168741.

## FAQs
**What is the historical significance of Konye-Urgench?**
Konye-Urgench served as the capital for two major historical entities: the Anushtegin dynasty and the Khanate of Khiva, which ruled from 1511 until 1920. Its ruins represent a crucial archaeological site that was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 due to its exceptional testimony to the cultural exchange and architectural achievements of the region.

**How has the population of the city changed over time?**
The city has experienced steady growth over the last century, rising from 2,681 residents in 1939 to 36,754 by 2009. Specific census data points show a consistent upward trend, with populations recorded at 9,013 in 1959, 14,130 in 1970, and 21,827 in 1989.

**Where is Konye-Urgench located and what is its current administrative status?**
Situated in the Daşoguz Region of Turkmenistan, the city has been part of this specific region since December 14, 1992. Geographically, it is positioned at latitude 42.316666666667 and longitude 59.158611111111, operating within the UTC+05:00 timezone.

**What languages are used to refer to this city?**
The city is known by numerous names across different languages, including Köneürgenç in Turkmen, Куня-Ургенч in Russian, and クニヤ‐ウルゲンチ in Japanese. It maintains active Wikipedia articles in 58 languages, ranging from Arabic and Chinese to European languages like German, French, and Spanish.

## Why It Matters
Konye-Urgench is a vital repository of Central Asian history, offering a tangible link to the Anushtegin dynasty and the Khanate of Khiva. Its designation as a World Heritage Site highlights its role in demonstrating the interchange of human values over centuries, particularly in architecture and urban planning. The site solves the problem of preserving a once-thriving capital that was abandoned, allowing modern scholars and tourists to study the evolution of Islamic architecture and the region's political history. As an archaeological site, it provides critical data on the demographic shifts and administrative changes in Turkmenistan from the 16th century to the present day.

## Notable For
*   **UNESCO Recognition:** Listed as a World Heritage Site in 2005 under criteria (ii) and (iii) for its cultural significance.
*   **Historical Capital Status:** Served as the capital for both the Anushtegin dynasty and the Khanate of Khiva.
*   **Archaeological Importance:** Classified simultaneously as a functioning city and a major archaeological site.
*   **Multilingual Presence:** Maintains a robust digital presence with Wikipedia articles in 58 distinct languages.
*   **Historical Documentation:** Described in major encyclopedic works including the *Meyers Konversations-Lexikon* (4th edition, 1885–1890) and the *Great Soviet Encyclopedia* (1926–1947).
*   **Distinctive Architecture:** Home to the Turabek Khanum Mausoleum, featured in official page banners.
*   **Long-term Demographic Record:** Possesses a detailed population history spanning from 1939 to 2009 with verified census data.

## Body

### Geographic and Administrative Context
Konye-Urgench is situated in the Daşoguz Region of Turkmenistan, with its administrative inclusion in this region dating back to December 14, 1992. The city operates under the UTC+05:00 timezone and is geographically anchored at coordinates 42.316666666667° North and 59.158611111111° East. Historically, the location served as the capital of the Khanate of Khiva from 1511 until 1920, and prior to that, it was the capital of the Anushtegin dynasty. The site is part of the broader list of World Heritage Sites in Northern and Central Asia.

### Historical Significance and Heritage
The entity is officially recognized as a World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2005. The designation carries the specific ID 1199 and meets UNESCO criteria (ii) and (iii), acknowledging its role in cultural exchange and its testimony to a civilization. The site is described by authoritative historical sources, including the *Meyers Konversations-Lexikon* (4th edition, 1885–1890) and the *Great Soviet Encyclopedia* (1926–1947). It is also cataloged in specialized academic databases such as the *Encyclopædia Britannica Online*, the *Encyclopedia of China* (third edition), and the *Great Russian Encyclopedia Online* (2017).

### Demographics and Population Trends
The city has demonstrated consistent population growth over the last eight decades. According to the preferred data source, the population reached 36,754 in 2009. Historical census records provide a clear trajectory of this growth: 2,681 in 1939, 9,013 in 1959, 14,130 in 1970, 17,896 in 1979, 21,827 in 1989, and 34,677 in 2009. These figures are supported by references from various statistical publications and encyclopedic entries.

### Nomenclature and Linguistic Diversity
Konye-Urgench is known by a vast array of aliases and native labels reflecting its multicultural history. The official name is Köneürgenç, which is also the native label. Other variations include Konya-Urgench, Old Urgench, Urganj, Gourandj, Gurgandsch, and Koneurgenc. In non-Latin scripts, it appears as クニヤ‐ウルゲンチ (Japanese), Кенеургенч (Russian), and 昆亚乌尔根奇 (Chinese). The city maintains a significant presence on Wikipedia, with articles available in 58 languages including Arabic, Azerbaijani, Belarusian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lithuanian, Malay, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, and Ukrainian.

### Digital and Authority Identifiers
The entity is uniquely identified across multiple global authority databases. It holds VIAF ID 141100703 and Library of Congress Authority ID no2007136705. Digital footprint identifiers include Freebase ID /m/06yqlf, GeoNames ID 601608, and OpenStreetMap Node 1990934341. Additional identifiers include the GNS Unique Feature ID -2559476, Who's on First ID 421168741, and the Yale Lux ID place/c7e6939b-a6f3-4664-851f-fefc1ee9ba3a. It is also cataloged in the TDV Encyclopedia of Islam (ID: gurgenc) and Grove Art Online (ID: T048308).

### Media and Visual Representation
Visual documentation of the city is available through Wikimedia Commons, featuring an image of the KonyeUrgenchMausoleum. The official page banner highlights the Turabek Khanum Mausoleum. The city's topic is organized under the main category "Category:Kunya Urgench," and its Commons category is listed as "Kunya Urgench." The entity has a sitelink count of 60, indicating extensive coverage across various language editions of Wikipedia.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. 1939 Soviet census
5. 1959 Soviet census
6. 1970 Soviet census
7. 1979 Soviet census
8. 1989 Soviet census
9. GeoNames
10. [Source](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1199)