# Termez

> town in Uzbekistan

**Wikidata**: [Q491879](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q491879)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Termez)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/termez

## Summary
Termez is a historic city in Uzbekistan, serving as the capital of the Surxondaryo Region. Founded in 329 BCE, it has been a strategic crossroads of trade and culture along the Silk Road, with a rich history spanning over 2,300 years. Today, it is recognized as a Tentative World Heritage Site for its archaeological and cultural significance.

## Key Facts
- **Coordinates**: 37°13′03″N 67°16′42″E (lat: 37.224166666667, lon: 67.278333333333).
- **Elevation**: 302 meters above sea level.
- **Timezone**: UTC+05:00.
- **Population**: 136,200 (2014 census); historical populations include 22,473 (1939), 82,951 (1989).
- **Country History**: Part of the Samanid Empire (819–999), Timurid Empire (1370–1500), Soviet Union (1922–1991), and modern Uzbekistan (since 1991).
- **UN/LOCODE**: UZTER.
- **Heritage Designation**: Tentative World Heritage Site (2008) under criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (ix).
- **Member Of**: League of Historical Cities.
- **Website**: http://termizsh.uz/uz/?h=1.
- **Postal Code**: 732000.
- **Aliases**: Termiz, Termez, スルハンダリヤ州, 忒耳迷, 鐵爾梅茲, 呾蜜国, 迭里迷, 铁尔梅兹, 泰尔梅兹.

## FAQs
- **Where is Termez located?**  
  Termez is situated in southern Uzbekistan, in the Surxondaryo Region, near the border with Afghanistan. It lies along the Amu Darya River.

- **What is Termez known for historically?**  
  It is one of Central Asia’s oldest cities, with a history dating to 329 BCE. It served as a major Silk Road hub and features ancient Buddhist, Islamic, and Hellenistic ruins.

- **How has Termez’s population changed over time?**  
  The population grew from 22,473 in 1939 to 136,200 by 2014, reflecting urbanization and regional development.

- **What organizations is Termez affiliated with?**  
  It is a member of the League of Historical Cities and part of the Tentative World Heritage List for its cultural and archaeological value.

- **What are Termez’s key geographical features?**  
  The city is at 302 meters elevation, in the UTC+5 timezone, and has been a strategic border settlement for millennia.

## Why It Matters
Termez is a living testament to Central Asia’s role as a cultural and commercial crossroads. Its survival through successive empires—from the Samanids to the Soviets—highlights its enduring strategic importance. As a Tentative World Heritage Site, it preserves layers of history, including Buddhist monasteries, Islamic mausoleums, and Hellenistic fortresses, making it critical for understanding Eurasian cultural exchange. Today, it anchors the Surxondaryo Region, blending ancient heritage with modern Uzbek identity.

## Notable For
- **Ancient History**: Continuously inhabited since 329 BCE, with ruins spanning 2,300 years.
- **Cultural Fusion**: Reflects Greek, Buddhist, Islamic, and Soviet influences in its architecture and traditions.
- **Strategic Location**: A Silk Road and border town linking Central Asia to South Asia.
- **Archaeological Significance**: Home to the Sultan-Saodat Mausoleum and Termez Archaeological Museum.
- **World Heritage Recognition**: Nominated for UNESCO status in 2008 for its universal cultural value.

## Body

### History
- **Founding**: Established in 329 BCE by Alexander the Great’s general Nearchus.
- **Empires**: Ruled by the Samanid Empire (819–999), Timurid Empire (1370–1500), and Soviet Union (1922–1991).
- **Key Events**: Destroyed by Genghis Khan in 1220; rebuilt under the Timurids; modernized under Soviet rule.

### Geography
- **Location**: Surxondaryo Region, Uzbekistan, near the Amu Darya River and Afghan border.
- **Elevation**: 302 meters above sea level.
- **Timezone**: UTC+05:00.

### Demographics
- **Population Growth**: 22,473 (1939) → 82,951 (1989) → 136,200 (2014).
- **Language**: Uzbek (official).

### Cultural Significance
- **Heritage**: Tentative World Heritage Site (2008) for criteria (i)-(ix).
- **Landmarks**: Sultan-Saodat Mausoleum, Termez Archaeological Museum, and ancient Buddhist sites like Fayaz-Tepe.
- **Memberships**: League of Historical Cities.

### Infrastructure
- **Website**: http://termizsh.uz/uz/?h=1.
- **Postal Code**: 732000.
- **UN/LOCODE**: UZTER.

### Related Entities
- **Administrative Role**: Capital of Surxondaryo Region (since 1941).
- **Historical Affiliations**: Chagatai Khanate, Karakhanid Khanate, Abbasid Caliphate.
- **Scholarly References**: Featured in the *Great Soviet Encyclopedia*, *Larousse Encyclopedia*, and *Gujin Tushu Jicheng*.

### Legacy
- **Archaeology**: Excavations reveal Hellenistic, Buddhist, and Islamic layers, including a 3rd-century CE Buddhist monastery.
- **Global Influence**: A nexus of trade and cultural exchange between Europe, Asia, and the Islamic world.
- **Modern Role**: Cultural and economic hub of southern Uzbekistan, preserving history while advancing regional development.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. [Source](https://www.lhc-s.org/member_cities/index.php)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. MusicBrainz
5. [Source](http://www.stat.uz/upload/str2.jpg)
6. 1939 Soviet census
7. 1959 Soviet census
8. 1970 Soviet census
9. 1979 Soviet census
10. 1989 Soviet census
11. GeoNames
12. BBC Things
13. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/uz.htm)