Jezkazgan
Schesqasghan ( Kazakh Жезқазған / Jezqasğan; Russian Жезказган / Zhezkazgan; until 1994 Dscheskasgan ) is a city in central Kazakhstan on Kengir Reservoir, 1973-1997 regional capital, important center of mining and smelting of copper and manganese ores, as well as with the University, Technical College, airport and the food industry. The city has 104,000 inhabitants ( 2006), of which approximately 55 % Kazakhs, 30% Russians, 15 % Ukrainians, German, Chechens, Koreans, inter alia, the area is 859 874 ha
- 2.1 Soviet Union
- 2.2 Independent Kazakhstan
Geography
Schesqasghan is located in the center of Kazakhstan, southeast of the mountain Ulutau and on the northwestern edge of the Hungry Steppe. The city is located in the border area between the desert and semi-desert. The most important water resources to Schesqasghan are the Kengir Reservoir (37 km ²) on the river Kara- Kengir and Zhesdy Reservoir south of town.
The flora and fauna is characteristic of desert regions. Especially here grow wormwood, chamomile, spring grass; The fauna is represented by hares, Zieselmäusen, gerbils, wolves and foxes Korsak, are rare Saiga and Goiter gazelle.
Climate
The climate is pronounced continental and dry. The annual rainfall is 208 millimeters; the average temperature in July is 24 ° C, in January -16.1 ° C.
History
Soviet Union
The city Schesqasghan was founded in 1929 on the initiative of the President of the Kazakh Academy of Sciences at the site of Aul Bekbolat. Owes its existence to Sheskasgan especially the rich copper deposits in its environment. For the development of a large steel mill was built on the river Kengir, which Schesqasghan rise later become one of the largest industrial centers of Kazakhstan. In November 1937 Schesqasghan was connected to the railway network, and 3 years later the first turbines of the Kengir dam went into operation.
During the Stalin era existed in Schesqasghan a large prison camps, forced to work in the copper mines of its occupants. (See also: Kengir Uprising )
On December 20, 1954 Schesqasghan was given city rights. On March 20, 1973 was appointed Schesqasghan the capital of the region of the same name - with the 313.4 thousand km ² then the largest in Kazakhstan, but with only 420 000 inhabitants, one of the least populated. In subsequent years, emerged in Schesqasghan a hosiery factory, a ceramic, copper wire factory, some farms food production and an operation for mining precious metals.
A significant role in the life of the city has always played its proximity to the Baikonur Cosmodrome, where started almost all Soviet Weltallmissionen. Even today the Baikonur has not lost its preeminence.
Independent Kazakhstan
After the collapse of the Soviet Union Schesqasghan had to contend with many difficulties. This led in 1994 to take over the Schesqasghaner smelter with all Kombinate by the German branch of the company Samsung, as well as the closure of the hosiery factory. The airport operation has been greatly reduced. Instead Built " Samsung Germany " in Schesqasghan 1997, the largest hospital in Central Asia and a business center. Furthermore, a Mosque ( 1994) and the Russian Orthodox Temple of Saint Andrew (2001) were built by the religious communities of the city. In addition, a Protestant house of worship was opened in 1995.
In 1997 the territory of the region Schesqasghan was incorporated as part of a territorial- administrative reform in the Karaganda region. In contrast, the nearby city Sätbajew (1956-1990 Nikolsk ) the municipal district of the city Schesqasghan was assumed.
Economy and infrastructure
The economic basis of Schesqasghan is the copper smelting. Here operates one of the largest iron and steel works of the former Soviet Union. Around the city, in the foothills of Ulutau, rich deposits of copper, manganese and iron were also recently developed, whereby the gold mining is significant because the copper deposits of the Schesqasghaner area are rich in gold veins. Copper wire in the metal work is processed.
These exist in Schesqasghan dairy and meat processing combines, a factory for the manufacture of construction materials as well as some small industrial enterprises.
In services, the corporation Kazakhmys is also a major employer in the city. It has branches in several countries of the world, for example in the People's Republic of China, Russia, and Great Britain; it includes a large part of the metal deposits of Kazakhstan; in Schesqasghan located their headquarters. In addition, in the town act six banks with their branches and some commercial companies and joint ventures.
In Schesqasghan there is a train station and a regional airport with flights to Almaty and Karaganda.
Education and Culture
Schesqasghan is a university city with a lively cultural life. In the city are located the Koshamkulowtheater and the area theater, national cultural communities of Russians ( " Beryozka " ), Germans ( "rebirth" ), Chechens ( " Wainach " ) and Jews ( " Sochnut " ) and two museums. Among the priorities of the University of Schesqasghan include geology and history. In addition, you have the opportunity to study at the College of Education or the Bautechnikum.
Religious communities of the city maintain several places of worship. Among them are two Russian Orthodox churches (St. Andrew's Church and St. Mary's Church ) and a mosque. Another mosque is under construction. The community of Protestants maintains a prayer place, and the Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall.
Attractions
The main attractions of the region Schesqasghaner lie just outside the town. In its vicinity are some of the most important mausoleums of the Kazakh and Mongol khans of the Middle Ages and the early modern period. These include the mausoleums of Jochi Khan and Shusden.
Many people attracts the nature of Ulutau Mountains, which are considered to be the cradle of the Kazakh state, there have proclaimed the Kazakh Khanate from here in the 15th century Schanibek and Girej. The Ulutau is extremely diverse; there are green meadows with rich flower meadows, birch groves, steppes and mountain rivers, lakes and next to Martian -looking landscape with sparse flora, inhabited by scorpions and poisonous snakes. Also located in this area many monuments and grave stones of the nomads from different eras.
Other attractions in the city itself can be building from the 50s are like the Koshamkulow Theatre and the headquarters of Kasachmys (former seat of the Provincial Committee of the Communist Party ). Interesting is also the Sejfulin Boulevard (formerly Boulevard of the cosmonauts ), where each cosmonaut who returned from the Baikonur Cosmodrome after landing, a tree planted. In terms of cosmic tradition of the city and the stele "Cosmos " was built. More monumental monuments recall the town founder, the city father Satpajew and the Second World War.
Schesqasghan has numerous parks with monuments, cafes and attractions, such as the parks "40 Years of Victory", " Naurys " and " Shastar ". Shopping areas, including two bazaars of the city.
About 400 kilometers south- west of Schesqasghan is the Baikonur cosmodrome.
Sons and daughters of the town
- Oleg Jankowski (1944-2009), Russian actor
- Vitaly Sawin ( b. 1966 ), former Kazakh sprinter and Olympic gold medalist