Fergana Valley

Namangan - Fergana - Kokand

The Fergana Valley, eastern Uzbekistan is one of the most fertile and densely populated regions in Central Asia, shared by Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. It is a vital agricultural, cultural, and historical area in the region fed by the Syr Darya and its tributaries. From a total of about 9000 square miles 7000  are arable land with a distribution of 70 % irrigated crops, 15 % orchards and vineyards, 10% pasture and 5 % mulberry fields.

In Namangan we visited the International Flower show with over 100 million flowers planted.

In Fergana - Rishton the international ceramic center. The Rishton School is the most celebrated (and oldest) center. Potters here specialize in hand-thrown, finely painted vessels glazed with the signature ishkor turquoise–lapis hues, using local red clay and natural mineral pigments.

In Kokand which was the capital of the Kokand Khanate (1709–1876), which controlled much of the Fergana Valley and parts of Central Asia we looked at the Khudoyar Khan Palace one of the most iconic and grand historical buildings in Uzbekistan. It reflects the height of architectural achievement during the Kokand Khanate, and it's a symbol of the city's former power and artistic sophistication.