The Fergana Valley is a fertile region in Central Asia. It lies between the Tien Shan and Pamir-Alay mountains, mostly in Uzbekistan, but also in parts of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The valley is about 300 kilometers long and 170 kilometers wide, with an area of 22,000 square kilometers. It is watered by the Naryn River and the Kara Darya, which join to form the Syr Darya. Because of its fertile soil, the valley has been one of the most densely populated regions in Central Asia for more than 2,000 years.
The Fergana Valley was part of ancient Sogdiana and later the Kushan Empire. It was famous for farming, especially fruit and cotton, and for trade along the Silk Road. Chinese sources from the 2nd century BCE mention the valley as a land of horses and rich harvests. In the Middle Ages, the valley was ruled by the Karakhanid dynasty and later the Timurid dynasty. In the 18th century, the Kokand Khanate was founded in the valley, with its capital at Kokand.
In the 19th century, the valley was taken by the Russian Empire, and later it became part of Russian Turkestan. During the Soviet Union, the valley was divided between Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Cotton farming was expanded, and new industries were built. After 1991, the valley remained divided among the three independent countries.