Chong-Alay District

Chong-Alay District (big Alay) (Kyrgyz: Чоң Алай району; Russian: Чон-Алайский район) is a district of Osh Region in far south-western Kyrgyzstan. The administrative seat lies at Daroot-Korgon.^[2] Its area is 4,857 square kilometres (1,875 sq mi),^[3] and its resident population was 32,140 in 2021.^[1] The Chong-Alay District include 3 rural communities (Kyrgyz: айыл аймагы, romanized: ayyl aymagy): Chong-Alay, Kashka-Suu, and Jekendi.^[4]

Chong-Alay Чоң Алай району
District
The border between Chong-Alay district and Alay district
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Kyrgyzstan
Region	Osh Region
Area
• Total	4,857 km2 (1,875 sq mi)
Population  (2021)[1]
• Total	32,140
• Density	6.6/km2 (17/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+6

History

Eurasianet reported that on September 17, 2022, as part of the 2022 Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan clashes, Chong-Alay District was the site of an exchange of mortar fire with Tajikistani troops.^[5]

Geography

Chong-Alay District occupies the western part of Alay Valley. The northern boundary of the district is located at Alay Mountains, and southern - at Trans-Alay Range. The valley is inclined from east to west, with the lowest point at 1560 meters above sea level.^[6]

Climate is sharply continental with cold winters. Annual precipitation is 500–650 mm. Average temperature in July is +19-22C, and December -10-15C.^[7]

The hydrology is dominated by the river Kyzyl-Suu (flowing towards the west) and its tributaries.

Demographics

According to the 2009 Census, the ethnic composition (de jure population) of the Chong-Alay District was 99.9% Kyrgyz and 0.1% other groups.^[3]

Historical populations in Chong-Alay District

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1970	7,877	—
1979	10,084	+2.78%
1989	14,616	+3.78%
1999	21,759	+4.06%
2009	25,039	+1.41%
2021	32,140	+2.10%
Note: resident population; Sources:[3][1]

Populated places

In total Chong-Alay District comprised 22 settlements in 3 rural communities (ayyl aymagy). Each rural community can consist of one or several villages. The rural communities and settlements in the Chong-Alay District are:^[2][8]

1. Jekendi (seat: Karamyk; incl. Jekendi, Kara-Teyit, Shibee and Chuluk)
2. Kashka-Suu (seat: Kashka-Suu; incl. Achyk-Suu, Kabyk, Kara-Kabak, Burgan-Suu, Jayylma and Kichi-Jayylma)
3. Chong-Alay (seat: Daroot-Korgon; incl. Jar-Bashy, Jash-Tilek, Jaman-Jar, Kochkorchu, Kulchu, Kyzyl-Tuu, Sary-Bulak, Chak, Kyzyl-Eshme and Kara-Shybak)

Karamyk

Jekendi

Kara-Teyit

Shibee

Chuluk

Kashka-Suu

Achyk-Suu

Kabyk

Kara-Kabak

Burgan-Suu

Jayylma

↑
Kichi-Jayylma

Daroot-Korgon

Jar-
Bashy

Jash-Tilek→

Jaman-Jar

↑
Kochkorchu

Kulchu

Kyzyl-Tuu

↑
Sary-
Bulak

Chak

Kyzyl-Eshme

Kara-
Shybak

Settlements of the Chong-Alay District