The population is about 320 thousand.
The city is situated in the south of Fergana valley. It is rather young town: its history starts only in 1877. Fergana Region was founded after disintegration of Kokand Khanate . The administrative center became New Margilan . In 1907 the town got the name Scobelev called so after the famous Russian general. And at last in 1924 the town was renamed again and since that time it is called Fergana. Fergana is one of the most important industrial centers of Uzbekistan. Here they process oil, cotton, silk cocoons. There enterprises of food and light industries here. There are no ancient monuments in the town, but in its beautiful surroundings there are many springs with mineral water, what allowed to build sanatoriums and houses for rest and recreation.. The beauty of the vast fruit gardens of Fergana and the region is known far outsize its boarders.Kokand ( 180 thousand people) is one of the oldest and most interesting towns of Fergana valley.
On the place of modern Kokand there were settlements as far as in the 1st century , which later amalgamated into a town. The Great Silk Road played a great role in the growth of the town. The first written mentioning of Kokand are found in the 10th century. In the 13th century the town was destroyed by Mongols but then it was gradually restored. In the 16th century Kokand became the capital of Kokand Khanate and by the 19th century it was well fortified administrative, trading and cultural center of the region. Many mosques and madrassahs were built in Kokand. Gradually the town got the important religious meaning, it became the center of Islam in Fergana valley.There are some significant historical monuments here. The Palace of Khudoyar Khan, the last ruler of Kokand demonstrates the high artistic level of the constructors and artisans-craftsmen. The traditional ganch carving, majolica and mosaic panels used here are samples to be imitated by modern masters. . The main facade astonishes you by unusual multicolored decoration and magnificence of geometrical and vegetable ornaments.
Dahma-i Jakhon Mausoleum, Modori-Khon Mausoleum, Mosque Djuma, Madrassah Kamal-Kazy are recommended to be visited..Margilan ( 165 thousand people) is situated 8 km far from Fergana. The town with Its 1000 years old history also played an important role in the life of the region.
The town was situated on the Great Silk Road. Since old days Margilan was famous for it silk.. And now it did not lost its significance as one of the most important center of manufacturing silk fabrics in Uzbekistan.The place to be visited: Silk factory .
