Tash-Komuur

Tash-Kömür, meaning "stone-coal," is one of the five largest towns in the Jalal-Abad Region of southern Kyrgyzstan and holds the status of a city of regional significance. As of 2021, its population was 44,065. Situated along the west bank of the Naryn River, opposite the main Osh-Bishkek road, the city lies at the edge of the Tien Shan Mountains and serves as a gateway to the Fergana Valley for those traveling south from Bishkek.

The town’s origins trace back to the 1930s when a small mining settlement was established following the discovery of coal deposits and the construction of the Tash-Kömür–Andijan railway. By 1933, a mining administration was founded, and the settlement grew rapidly, achieving city status on December 17, 1943. During the Soviet period, Tash-Kömür became one of Central Asia’s major industrial hubs. While coal mining was its primary industry, the city also hosted a cigarette factory and various other enterprises. A railroad facilitated the transport of coal from Tash-Kömür to Uzbek SSR and different parts of the Soviet Union, contributing to its economic significance. At its peak, the city’s population was around 35,000. The construction of dams along the Naryn River transformed it from a small stream into a significant waterway, reshaping the region’s landscape.

Modern-day Tash-Kömür is divided into five neighborhoods: Severniy (the North), Bayetova, the Center, Dostuk, and the Mikrorayon. The city's demographic composition has changed over time, with Kyrgyz residents now making up over 90% of the population. Despite its proximity to the Uzbek border, only a small number of Uzbek families (fewer than 50) reside in Tash-Kömür. Current population estimates range between 20,000 and 25,000. While the coal mining industry remains active through private operations, some locals still engage in artisanal mining around the city.