# Urgench

> city in Uzbekistan

**Wikidata**: [Q472925](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q472925)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urgench)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/urgench

## Summary
Urgench is a city in the Xorazm Region of Uzbekistan, historically significant for its role in Central Asian trade and culture. It serves as the regional capital and has been continuously inhabited since at least 1601, with formal city status dating to 1643. The city is known for its historical connection to the ancient Silk Road and its modern urban development.

## Key Facts
- Founded: 1643
- Earliest written record: 1601
- Population: ~150,000 (as of 2014)
- Area: 29 km²
- Elevation: 91 meters above sea level
- Timezone: UTC+05:00
- Coordinates: 41.5345° N, 60.6249° E (Xorazm Region)
- Country: Uzbekistan (since 1991); previously part of the Soviet Union, Russian Republic, and Russian Empire
- Capital of: Xorazm Region
- Official language: Uzbek
- Languages spoken/written: Uzbek
- Notable historical event: Siege of Gurganj
- Population history:
  - 1939: 22,469
  - 1959: 43,756
  - 1970: 76,165
  - 1979: 100,010
  - 1989: 126,380
  - 2010: 135,100
  - 2014: ~150,000 (estimated)
- Postal code: 220100
- Twinned administrative body: Aktau
- Public transport access: Urgench railway station, Urgench International Airport
- Website: http://xorazm.uz/
- Image: [Waterfront of Shavat canal in Urgench](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Waterfront_of_Shavat_canal_in_Urganch.jpg)
- Page banner: [Urgench banner](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Urgench_banner.jpg)

## FAQs

### What is Urgench?
Urgench is a city located in the Xorazm Region of Uzbekistan and serves as the regional capital. It has a recorded history dating back to 1601, with official city status granted in 1643. It is known for its historical significance along the Silk Road and its role in regional trade and culture.

### What is the population of Urgench?
As of 2014, the population of Urgench was approximately 150,000. Earlier censuses show:
- 1939: 22,469
- 1959: 43,756
- 1970: 76,165
- 1979: 100,010
- 1989: 126,380
- 2010: 135,100

### What is the historical significance of Urgench?
Urgench is historically significant due to its role in the ancient Silk Road trade routes and its connection to the Siege of Gurganj, a major historical event. The city has been continuously inhabited since 1601 and was formally established in 1643.

### What languages are spoken in Urgench?
The official language of Urgench is Uzbek. Uzbek is the primary language spoken, written, and signed in the city.

### What are the key geographic and administrative details of Urgench?
- Located in the Xorazm Region of Uzbekistan
- Coordinates: 41.5345° N, 60.6249° E
- Area: 29 km²
- Elevation: 91 meters above sea level
- Timezone: UTC+05:00
- Postal code: 220100
- Capital of: Xorazm Region
- Public transport: Urgench railway station, Urgench International Airport

### What is the relationship between Urgench and other cities or regions?
Urgench is the capital of the Xorazm Region and is twinned with Aktau. It is located in Central Asia on the continent of Asia.

### What is the official website for Urgench?
The official website for Urgench is [http://xorazm.uz/](http://xorazm.uz/).

## Why It Matters
Urgench holds historical and contemporary significance as a regional hub in Uzbekistan. Its location in the Xorazm Region places it at the crossroads of ancient trade routes, particularly the Silk Road, where it once played a central role in cultural and economic exchange. Today, it remains a vital urban center with a growing population and infrastructure, contributing to the economic and social fabric of the region. Its historical legacy, including the Siege of Gurganj, underscores its importance in Central Asian history.

## Notable For
- Serving as the capital of the Xorazm Region
- Hosting the Siege of Gurganj, a pivotal historical event
- Continuous habitation since 1601
- Official city status since 1643
- Twinned with Aktau, indicating international cooperation
- Hosting a diverse linguistic and cultural environment centered on Uzbek
- Being a key node in regional transportation via railway and air travel

## Body

### History
Urgench has a documented history dating to 1601, with its formal establishment as a city in 1643. It was historically significant as part of the ancient Silk Road, particularly due to the Siege of Gurganj, which marked a major event in Central Asian military history. The city was part of the Russian Empire until 1917, then the Russian Republic until 1917, followed by the Soviet Union until 1991, and has been part of independent Uzbekistan since.

### Demographics and Population
Urgench's population has grown significantly over the past century:
- 1939: 22,469
- 1959: 43,756
- 1970: 76,165
- 1979: 100,010
- 1989: 126,380
- 2010: 135,100
- 2014: ~150,000 (estimated)

This growth reflects its role as a regional center in the Xorazm Region.

### Geography and Location
Urgench is located in the Xorazm Region of Uzbekistan, in Central Asia. Its coordinates are 41.5345° N, 60.6249° E. The city covers an area of 29 km² and sits 91 meters above sea level. It lies within the broader continental region of Asia.

### Administration and Governance
Urgench serves as the capital of the Xorazm Region and is twinned with Aktau, indicating a commitment to regional and international cooperation. The city's official language is Uzbek, and it operates under the administrative framework of Uzbekistan.

### Language and Culture
Uzbek is the primary language of Urgench, with the city's name rendered in native script as "Urganch" or "Урганч". The city is part of a broader cultural and linguistic heritage, with its identity tied to the historical and contemporary use of the Uzbek language.

### Infrastructure and Transport
Urgench is accessible via the Urgench railway station and Urgench International Airport, making it a regional transportation hub. These connections support both local and international access, reinforcing its role in regional commerce and travel.

### Digital Presence and Outreach
The city maintains an official website at [http://xorazm.uz/](http://xorazm.uz/), which serves as a digital gateway for civic information and regional updates. It also has a presence on platforms like Quora and is indexed in major encyclopedias and knowledge bases, including the National Library of Israel and the Library of Congress.

### Notable People and Cultural Impact
Urgench is associated with various historical and contemporary figures, as seen in the "Category:People from Urgench" and "Category:Births in Urgench" on Wikimedia. These categories highlight the city's role in shaping regional identity and cultural output.

### International Recognition
Urgench is recognized in global databases such as Freebase, Geonames, and Who's On First, and has entries in major encyclopedias like the Encyclopædia Britannica Online and Grove Art Online. These references underscore its historical and cultural relevance.

### Related Entities and Databases
- Twinned with: Aktau
- Situated in: Xorazm Region
- Part of: Uzbekistan, historically the Soviet Union, Russian Republic, and Russian Empire
- Notable event: Siege of Gurganj
- Related projects: Urgench International Airport, Urgench railway station
- Cultural references: Category:Urgench, Wikimedia Commons Category: Urgench
- Digital identifiers: Wikidata, VIAF, Geonames, Freebase, and more

### Legacy and Modern Relevance
Urgench's historical roots, demographic growth, and strategic location make it a key city in the Xorazm Region. Its cultural and linguistic contributions, combined with its modern infrastructure and digital presence, ensure its continued relevance in regional and global contexts.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. 1939 Soviet census
4. 1959 Soviet census
5. 1970 Soviet census
6. 1979 Soviet census
7. 1989 Soviet census
8. GeoNames
9. BBC Things
10. Quora