# Shymkent

> city in Kazakhstan

**Wikidata**: [Q485496](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q485496)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shymkent)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/shymkent

## Summary

Shymkent is a city of republican significance in Kazakhstan, located in Asia at coordinates 42.3°N, 69.6°E. Founded in 1101, it has a current population of approximately 1,191,877 (as of 2023) and covers an area of 347 square kilometers. The city served as the capital of Turkistan Region from 1932 until 2018, when it became a directly administered city separate from regional governance.

## Key Facts

- **Inception**: 1101 (earliest written record dates to approximately 600 CE)
- **Population**: 1,191,877 (January 1, 2023); 1,184,113 (October 1, 2022)
- **Area**: 347 square kilometers
- **Elevation**: 506 meters above sea level
- **Coordinates**: 42.3° latitude, 69.6° longitude
- **Official Languages**: Kazakh, Russian
- **Timezone**: UTC+06:00 (Asia/Almaty)
- **Postal Code**: 160000
- **License Plate Code**: X / Y / 17
- **Local Dialing Code**: 7252
- **UN/LOCODE**: KZSHY
- **ISO 3166-2 Code**: KZ-SHY / KZ-79
- **Current Status**: City of republican significance (since 2018)
- **Continent**: Asia
- **Head of Government**: Nurlan Sauranbaev; G. Syzdykbekov (appointed September 5, 2023)
- **Official Website**: https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/shymkent
- **Instagram**: akimat_shymkent
- **Wikipedia Languages**: 89 sitelinks across languages including English, Russian, Kazakh, Chinese, Arabic, and others

## FAQs

**What countries or empires has Shymkent been part of throughout history?**
Shymkent has been governed by the Kazakh Khanate (starting between 1510-1810), the Khanate of Kokand (1810-1864), the Russian Empire (1864-1918), the Soviet Union (1922-1991), and has been part of Kazakhstan since 1991.

**What is the administrative status of Shymkent?**
Since June 20, 2018, Shymkent has been a city of republican significance, meaning it is directly administered by the national government rather than being part of a region. Previously, it was the capital of Turkistan Region from March 10, 1932 to June 19, 2018.

**What are the historical names of Shymkent?**
The city has been known by several names: Chernyayev (1914-1924), Chimkent (1924-1991), and various spellings including Chymkent, Tchimkent, Schimkent, and Tschimkent. The current native name is Шымкент (Shymkent).

**What is the population growth trend in Shymkent?**
Shymkent has experienced steady population growth: 885,799 (2016), 912,300 (2017), 951,605 (2018), 1,038,152 (2020), 1,074,167 (2021), 1,112,739 (January 2022), 1,184,113 (October 2022), and 1,191,877 (January 2023).

**Which cities are twinned with Shymkent?**
Shymkent is twinned with Stevenage (UK), Khujand (Tajikistan), Adana (Turkey), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Baiyin (China), Grosseto (Italy), İzmir (Turkey, since 2004), Pattaya (Thailand), Mogilev (Belarus), and Eskişehir (Turkey, since 2014).

**Where is Shymkent located geographically?**
Shymkent is located in southern Kazakhstan, in the Asian continent, at 42.3°N latitude and 69.6°E longitude. The city sits at an elevation of 506 meters above sea level.

**What historical administrative divisions has Shymkent been part of?**
Historically, Shymkent was part of Chimkent Uyezd (1868-1928), Syr-Daryin Okrug (1928-1930), Kazak Autonomous Socialist Soviet Republic (1930-1932), and Turkistan Region (1932-2018).

**What are the main sources of information about Shymkent?**
Shymkent is documented in numerous encyclopedias including the Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron, Small Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Granat Encyclopedic Dictionary, and the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition.

## Why It Matters

Shymkent holds significant importance as one of Kazakhstan's major urban centers and one of the country's three cities of republican significance, placing it alongside the capital Nur-Sultan and the commercial hub Almaty in administrative stature. Its elevation to city of republican significance in 2018 marked a major political reorganization, separating it from the Turkistan Region it had administered as capital for 86 years. The city's strategic location in southern Kazakhstan, near the borders with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, makes it an important regional hub for trade and cultural exchange. With a population approaching 1.2 million people, it represents a significant demographic and economic center in Central Asia. The city's founding in 1101 makes it one of the older continuously inhabited settlements in the region, with over 900 years of documented history spanning multiple empires, khanates, and modern nations.

## Notable For

- **City of Republican Significance**: One of only three cities in Kazakhstan with this special administrative status (since 2018)
- **Population Size**: Population exceeding 1.1 million, making it one of the most populous cities in Kazakhstan
- **Historical Continuity**: Founded in 1101 with written records dating to approximately 600 CE
- **86-Year Regional Capital**: Served as capital of Turkistan Region from 1932 to 2018
- **Multilingual Documentation**: Wikipedia articles in 89 different languages, demonstrating global recognition
- **Extensive International Partnerships**: Twin city relationships with 10 cities across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East
- **Geographic Significance**: Located at a strategic crossroads in Central Asia at 506 meters elevation
- **Cultural Heritage**: Documented in major historical encyclopedic works including Brockhaus and Efron and Encyclopædia Britannica
- **Sports Infrastructure**: Owner of Kazhimukan Munaitpasov Stadium

## Body

### Geography and Location

Shymkent is situated in the Asian continent at coordinates 42.3 degrees north latitude and 69.6 degrees east longitude. The city occupies an area of 347 square kilometers and rests at an elevation of 506 meters above sea level. It is located in the southern part of Kazakhstan, positioned strategically near the borders with neighboring Central Asian countries. The city operates in the UTC+06:00 timezone, identified as Asia/Almaty in timezone databases. A locator map is available showing Shymkent's position within Kazakhstan, and various photographic documentation exists including aerial views, panoramas, and images of Independence Square as of 2023.

### Historical Governance and Territorial Changes

Shymkent's political history spans multiple governing entities. The city's earliest written records date to approximately 600 CE, with its formal inception recorded as 1101. During the medieval period, Shymkent was part of the Kazakh Khanate from approximately 1510 until 1810. Subsequently, it came under the control of the Khanate of Kokand from 1810 until 1864.

The Russian Empire assumed control in 1864, governing the city until 1918. During this imperial period, the city was administratively part of Chimkent Uyezd from October 21, 1868 until January 17, 1928. A brief renaming occurred during this era, when the city was called Chernyayev from 1914 to 1924.

The Soviet period began with the formation of the Soviet Union in 1922, lasting until 1991. Administrative reorganizations during this time placed Shymkent in the Syr-Daryin Okrug from January 17, 1928 to December 17, 1930, and then in the Kazak Autonomous Socialist Soviet Republic from December 17, 1930 to March 10, 1932.

Following Kazakhstan's independence in 1991, Shymkent became part of the modern Republic of Kazakhstan. The city served as the capital of Turkistan Region (formerly South Kazakhstan Region) from March 10, 1932 until June 19, 2018. On June 20, 2018, Shymkent was designated as a city of republican significance, removing it from Turkistan Region's jurisdiction and placing it under direct national administration.

### Demographics and Population

Shymkent has demonstrated consistent population growth over the past decade. Population records show 885,799 residents in 2016, growing to 912,300 in 2017, and 951,605 by January 2018. The city crossed the one million threshold by 2020 with 1,038,152 inhabitants. Growth continued with 1,074,167 recorded on January 1, 2021, and 1,112,739 on January 1, 2022. The most recent data shows 1,184,113 residents as of October 1, 2022, and 1,191,877 as of January 1, 2023, determined through demographic balance methodology. Earlier data from 2014 recorded a population of 854,500.

### Administrative Structure and Governance

Shymkent operates as a city of republican significance, a designation it received in 2018. This status places the city outside regional administration and under direct national governance. The official languages of the city are Kazakh and Russian. The local government is headed by an appointed leader, with Nurlan Sauranbaev and G. Syzdykbekov (appointed September 5, 2023) serving in this capacity. The city maintains an official website at gov.kz/memleket/entities/shymkent and an official Instagram account under the handle akimat_shymkent. The city owns and operates the Kazhimukan Munaitpasov Stadium. The city logo is officially documented, and various heraldic symbols including a coat of arms are in use.

### International Relations and Twin Cities

Shymkent maintains sister city relationships with numerous municipalities worldwide. These partnerships include Stevenage in the United Kingdom, Khujand in Tajikistan, Adana and İzmir (since 2004) and Eskişehir (since 2014) in Turkey, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Baiyin in China, Grosseto in Italy, Pattaya in Thailand, and Mogilev in Belarus. These relationships facilitate cultural exchange, economic cooperation, and diplomatic connections across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

### Names and Linguistic Variants

Throughout its history, Shymkent has been known by multiple names reflecting its multicultural influences and changing political contexts. Historical names include Chernyayev (1914-1924), Chimkent (1924-1991), and Chymkent (until 1991). The current native name is Шымкент in Cyrillic script, with pronunciation documented in audio format. Aliases and alternative spellings include Chimkent, Tchimkent, Chymkent, Schimkent, Tschimkent, 奇姆肯特 (Chinese), Чимкент (Russian), 심켄트 and 침켄트 (Korean). The city maintains categories for people born there, people from the city, people who died there, and people buried there, indicating robust genealogical and biographical documentation.

### Identifiers and Classifications

Shymkent is catalogued in numerous national and international databases. The Library of Congress Authority ID is n89118823. The VIAF (Virtual International Authority File) identifier is 129125959. The GND (German National Library) ID is 4798967-1. Geographic identifiers include GeoNames ID 1518980, GNS Unique Feature ID -2343962, and OpenStreetMap Node ID 1466716533. Weather services reference the city via OpenWeatherMap City ID 1518980. The UN/LOCODE for shipping and logistics is KZSHY. Postal codes include 160000. The license plate codes are X, Y, and 17, with local dialing code 7252. The city is classified as a "big city," "city," and "city of republican significance" in various databases.

### Academic and Encyclopedic Documentation

Shymkent appears in multiple authoritative reference works. Russian-language sources include the Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron, the Small Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, the full Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, and the Granat Encyclopedic Dictionary. English-language coverage includes the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition. Islamic scholarship includes entries in the TDV Encyclopedia of Islam (ID: cimkent). Other encyclopedic sources include the Great Russian Encyclopedia (portal ID: shymkent-94ac4c), the Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana (ID: cimkent, former scheme 0017787), and the Treccani Italian encyclopedia (ID: cimkent, listed as Čimkent). The Online PWN Encyclopedia ID is 3890009.

### Digital Presence and Media

The city maintains a digital footprint across multiple platforms. The Wikipedia article "Shymkent" exists in 89 language versions. The main category for the topic is "Category:Shymkent," with subcategories for births, deaths, residents, and burials. The city is documented on Quora as a topic, on NamuWiki (Korean, ID: 심켄트), and in the iNaturalist database (place ID 35217). Museum Digital references the city with place ID 100329. The Golden online encyclopedia includes an entry (ID: Shymkent-XRY6KD). The Yale Lux database references the city. Commercial platforms include a Google Play Store entry under "Sjymkent." Wikimedia Commons hosts extensive media including a page banner, locator map, coat of arms image, nighttime views of Ordabasy Plaza, and aerial panoramas.

### Technical and Database References

Shymkent is indexed in numerous technical and archival systems. The WorldCat Entities ID is E39PBJrrtbVwrK4yfVmwvYqbBP. The Freebase ID is /m/075dh9. The Who's On First ID is 421168873. The National Library of Israel J9U ID is 987007567590405171. The FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology) ID is 1256705. The SNARC ID is listed as "laptop." The FactGrid item ID references Rudolf Haag. The city has WOEID (Where On Earth ID) 2262028. The CATO identifier system includes values 511010000 and 790000000 (preferred).

## References

1. [Source](https://www.akorda.kz/ru/o-naznachenii-syzdykbekova-ga-582512)
2. [Source](https://baiyin.gov.cn/attach/old/byszf/W020220108552860833587.pdf)
3. [Source](https://www.izmir.bel.tr/tr/KardesKentler/62)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. [Source](https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:code:3166:KZ)
6. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/asia)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. [Source](https://www.citypopulation.de/en/kazakhstan/admin/17__shymkent_qalasy/)
9. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
10. GeoNames
11. Quora
12. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/cimkent)
13. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
14. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Shymkent-XRY6KD)