Taraz, formerly Zhambyl, city, southeastern Kazakhstan, capital of Zhambyl Province, on the Talas River. It is located on the Turkistan-Siberian Railroad in an irrigated area of orchards, cotton fields, and truck farms. Processed food, fertilizer, textiles, and metal products are manufactured in the city.
The site of Taraz has long been inhabited. In the 5th century Taraz was located here along a caravan route between Europe and China. It was ruled by the Arabs in the 8th and 9th centuries and was devastated by the Mongols in the 13th century. A Kazakh city called Auliye-Ata, founded here in the late 18th century, was taken over by Russia in 1864. Its name was changed to Zhambyl (Dzhambul) in 1938, then back to Taraz in 1996. Population (1993 estimate) 317,000.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Taraz Information info
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