Batken

Batken is a small town and capital of Batken Oblast, located in southwestern Kyrgyzstan, in the southern part of the Fergana Valley.

History

Batken became the administrative seat of the newest of Kyrgyzstan's seven oblasts, created from the three westernmost raions of the former Osh Oblast in 1999, after concerns arose over the radical Islamist activity in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, which led to demands for more visible government presence in this remote and mountainous region. There is a small airport and, since 2000, a university.

Geography

Batken province contains several enclaves that belong to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. These enclaves were created by Stalin in the redrawing of maps that he carried out during the 1930s; This fact causes problems for the movement of people and goods within the oblast.