View source for Jezkazgan

{{Short description|City in Kazakhstan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{refimprove|date=August 2011}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Zhezkazgan
| official_name      = 
| native_name        = Jezqazğan<br />Жезқазған
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in Kazakhstan|City]]
| image_skyline      = Akimmat.jpg
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = Seal Zhezkazgan.png
| image_map          = 
| map_caption        = 
| pushpin_map        = Kazakhstan
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| pushpin_mapsize    = 280
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Kazakhstan
| subdivision_type   = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of Kazakhstan|Region]]
| subdivision_name   = [[Kazakhstan]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Ulytau Region]]
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1938
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = Akim <small>([[mayor]])</small>
| leader_name        = Shayjanov Kairat Abdullayevich<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zakon.kz/6018243-kairat-shaizhanov-stal-akimom-zhezkazgana.html|title=Кайрат Шайжанов стал акимом Жезказгана|website=www.zakon.kz|date=2022-06-28}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_sq_mi   = 
| area_total_km2     = 
| area_land_sq_mi    = 
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_urban_sq_mi   = 
| area_urban_km2     = 
| area_metro_km2     = 
| area_metro_sq_mi   = 
| population_as_of   = 2009
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 86227
| population_urban   = 90661
| population_metro   = 
| population_density_sq_mi = 
| population_density_km2 = 
| timezone           = 
| utc_offset         = +5
| timezone_DST       = 
| utc_offset_DST     = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|47|47|0|N|67|42|0|E|region:KZ|display=inline}}
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 300
| elevation_ft       = 
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal code]]
| postal_code        = 200000
| area_code          = +7 7102
| website            = http://www.jezkazgan.kz
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Jezkazgan'''{{efn|{{blist|{{langx|kk|Жезқазған|Jezqazğan}}, {{IPA|kk|ʒʲez.qʰɑzʁɑ́n|pron|Kk-zhezkazgan.ogg}}|{{langx|ru|(Д)жезказган|(D)žezkazgan}}, {{IPA|ru|(d)ʐɨskɐzˈgan|pron}}}}}} (also spelled '''Zhezkazgan''') is a city and the administrative centre of [[Ulytau Region]], [[Kazakhstan]]. Its [[urban area]] includes the neighbouring mining town of [[Satbayev (city)|Satpayev]], for a total city population of 148,700. Jezkazgan's population was {{Kz-census2009|86,227|punct=;}} {{Kz-census1999|90,001|punct=.}} 

55% of Zhezqazghan's population are [[Kazakhs]] and 30% [[Russians]], with smaller minorities of [[Ukrainians in Kazakhstan|Ukrainians]], [[Volga Germans|Germans]], [[Chechens]] and [[Koryo-saram|Koreans]].

==Geography and climate==
Zhezqazghan is situated by river [[Karakengir]], in the heart of the [[Kazakh Uplands]].<ref name="STM">{{cite web|url=https://maps.vlasenko.net/smtm1000/l-42.jpg|title=L-42 Topographic Chart (in Russian)|access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref> A reservoir was built on the river at the time of the [[Kazakh SSR]]. The city is near the [[geographic center]] of Kazakhstan. It has an extremely continental [[semi-arid climate#Cold semi-arid climates|cold semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''BSk''); it features hot and somewhat long summers, very cold winters, and very short transitional seasons. Rain is frequent but never heavy and monthly rainfall has never reached {{convert|100|mm|in|0}}. The average temperature ranges from {{convert|24.4|°C|°F|1}} in July to {{convert|-13|°C|°F|1}} in January, whilst extremes ranges from {{convert|43|C|F|1}} in June 1988 to {{convert|−41.1|C|F|1}} in February 1951.

{{Weather box
| width = auto
| location = Zhezqazghan (1991–2020, extremes 1948-present)
| single line = Yes
| metric first = Yes
| Jan record high C = 5.0
| Feb record high C = 9.0
| Mar record high C = 27.4
| Apr record high C = 34.2
| May record high C = 39.4
| Jun record high C = 43.0
| Jul record high C = 45.2
| Aug record high C = 42.4
| Sep record high C = 39.9
| Oct record high C = 30.5
| Nov record high C = 22.0
| Dec record high C = 11.6
| year record high C = 45.2
| Jan high C = -8.9
| Feb high C = -7.1
| Mar high C = 2.0
| Apr high C = 16.4
| May high C = 24.0
| Jun high C = 29.9
| Jul high C = 31.4
| Aug high C = 30.0
| Sep high C = 23.1
| Oct high C = 14.1
| Nov high C = 2.0
| Dec high C = -6.2
| year high C = 12.6
| Jan mean C = -13.4
| Feb mean C = -12.3
| Mar mean C = -3.4
| Apr mean C = 9.4
| May mean C = 16.7
| Jun mean C = 22.7
| Jul mean C = 24.3
| Aug mean C = 22.6
| Sep mean C = 15.1
| Oct mean C = 6.5
| Nov mean C = -3.1
| Dec mean C = -10.7
| year mean C = 6.2
| Jan low C = -18.3
| Feb low C = -17.7
| Mar low C = -8.3
| Apr low C = 2.7
| May low C = 8.7
| Jun low C = 14.4
| Jul low C = 16.6
| Aug low C = 14.5
| Sep low C = 7.0
| Oct low C = -0.2
| Nov low C = -7.8
| Dec low C = -15.4
| year low C = -0.3
| Jan record low C = -40.0
| Feb record low C = -41.1
| Mar record low C = -36.1
| Apr record low C = -17.8
| May record low C = -6.6
| Jun record low C = -2.2
| Jul record low C = 2.8
| Aug record low C = 0.0
| Sep record low C = -11.4
| Oct record low C = -21.0
| Nov record low C = -37.2
| Dec record low C = -40.0
| year record low C = -41.1
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 16.0
| Feb precipitation mm = 15.4
| Mar precipitation mm = 16.4
| Apr precipitation mm = 17.5
| May precipitation mm = 20.2
| Jun precipitation mm = 17.3
| Jul precipitation mm = 17.7
| Aug precipitation mm = 10.1
| Sep precipitation mm = 5.0
| Oct precipitation mm = 14.1
| Nov precipitation mm = 18.1
| Dec precipitation mm = 16.0
| year precipitation mm = 
| Jan snow depth cm = 11
| Feb snow depth cm = 15
| Mar snow depth cm = 7
| Apr snow depth cm = 0
| May snow depth cm = 0
| Jun snow depth cm = 0
| Jul snow depth cm = 0
| Aug snow depth cm = 0
| Sep snow depth cm = 0
| Oct snow depth cm = 0
| Nov snow depth cm = 1
| Dec snow depth cm = 5
| year snow depth cm = 15
| Jan humidity = 78
| Feb humidity = 76
| Mar humidity = 75
| Apr humidity = 56
| May humidity = 48
| Jun humidity = 40
| Jul humidity = 41
| Aug humidity = 40
| Sep humidity = 43
| Oct humidity = 60
| Nov humidity = 76
| Dec humidity = 79
| year humidity = 59
| Jan rain days = 1
| Feb rain days = 2
| Mar rain days = 4
| Apr rain days = 6
| May rain days = 9
| Jun rain days = 8
| Jul rain days = 8
| Aug rain days = 5
| Sep rain days = 4
| Oct rain days = 6
| Nov rain days = 5
| Dec rain days = 2
| year rain days = 60
| Jan snow days = 17
| Feb snow days = 13
| Mar snow days = 7
| Apr snow days = 2
| May snow days = 0.3
| Jun snow days = 0
| Jul snow days = 0
| Aug snow days = 0
| Sep snow days = 0.03
| Oct snow days = 2
| Nov snow days = 8
| Dec snow days = 14
| year snow days = 63
| source 1 = погода и климат<ref name=pogoda>{{cite web
| url = http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/climate/35671.htm
| title = Weather and Climate – The Climate of Jezkazgan
| access-date = 5 January 2022
| publisher = Weather and Climate (Погода и климат)
| language = ru}}</ref>
| source = 
}}

==History==
The city was created in 1938 in connection with the exploitation of the rich [[copper]] deposits. In 1973, a large mining and metallurgical complex was constructed to the southeast to smelt the copper that until then had been sent elsewhere for processing. Other metal ores mined and processed locally are [[manganese]] and [[iron]]. Also in 1973, the city became the administrative center of the newly formed '''Dzhezkazgan Oblast''', created out of [[Karaganda Region|Karaganda Oblast]]. In 1997, Dzhezkazgan (at this point Jezkazgan) Oblast was liquidated and the city became part of Karaganda Oblast once again. On 16 March 2022, It was announced by Kazakh President [[Kassym-Jomart Tokayev]] that Jezkazgan would become the administrative center of the new [[Ulytau Region]]. His decree came into force on 8 June 2022, thus making Zhezqazghan the administrative center of a [[Regions of Kazakhstan|Region]] once again.

During the Soviet era, Zhezqazghan was the site of a [[Gulag]] [[labor camp]], [[Kengir]], mentioned in [[Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn]]'s book ''[[The Gulag Archipelago]]'', and [[Alexander Dolgun]]'s "''An American In The Gulag''", and the period of [[Korean operation of the NKVD|forced resettlement of Koreans]] from the [[Russian Far East]].

==Industry==
Today the city is the headquarters of the copper conglomerate [[Kazakhmys]], the city's main employer. The company has subsidiaries in [[China]], [[Russia]] and the [[United Kingdom]] and is listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]]. There is a power station, Kazakhmys Power Plant, with generation capacity of 207 MW and a 220-meter-tall main chimney.{{Citation needed|date=November 2018}}

==Transport==
Zhezqazghan has a [[rail line]] to the major city [[Karaganda]].

Zhezqazghan is connected by road to [[Karaganda]] via [[European route E018]] and [[Kyzylorda]] and [[Arkalyk]] via [[European route E123]]. The city is accessible by air via the [[Zhezkazgan Airport]].

==Soyuz emergency landings==
The [[Soyuz_33|Soyuz 33 spacecraft]] returning [[Astronaut|cosmonauts]] from [[outer space]] landed in the remote flat countryside surrounding Jezkazgan in 1979. The [[Baikonur Cosmodrome]] lies {{convert|400|km|mi}} to the southwest and, by tradition, every cosmonaut plants a tree on Jezkazgan's Seyfullin-Boulevard to mark his or her safe return from space.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tree Planting Tradition of the Cosmonauts Continues with Space Station Mission|url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/cosmonaut-hotel-tree-grove}}</ref>

Again on 11 October 2018 the [[Soyuz MS-10]]/56S landed near Jezkazgan when a booster failed during launch.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/10/10/live-coverage-two-man-crew-to-launch-on-six-month-space-station-expedition/|title = Live coverage: Soyuz crew safe after emergency landing – Spaceflight Now}}</ref>

Luna 16's samples from the Moon returned close to here on 24 September 1970.

==Economical and ecological challenges==
Zhezkazgan is a [[monocity]]. The city is economically unstable since the city functions only because of one enterprise (resource), which constrains its development. [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321704901_Modern_changes_in_Zhezkazgan_city_Positive_and_negative_factors_of_tourism_development_Kazakhstan] Zhezkazgan has a great potential to become the logistics center of Kazakhstan, as it connects North and South, West, and East. Raw materials and people can be transported more efficiently through the Zhezkazgan via transit. But infrastructure and roads do not allow it. The profit of Zhezkazgan is mainly spent on the development of such large cities as [[Nur-Sultan]], [[Almaty]], [[Karaganda]], etc. And a small percentage is used by Zhezkazgan itself. Monotowns are very dependent on their enterprise and price fluctuations in the world market. Changes in these aspects can lead to severe economic problems in the city. 
Civil servants have understood this and are trying to create and develop different sources of income. For example, “Zhezkazgan-Beyneu” was built to link Europe and the Persian Gulf and export products. [https://www.inform.kz/kz/zhezkazgan-beyneu-temirzhol-magistrali-gasyrdyn-orasan-zor-zhobasy_a2477019] The railway line connects West and East, North and South, creating an opportunity for tourists to visit Zhezkazgan. Investments must also be made in green technologies and methods to meet international standards.

In Zhezkazgan, falling water levels, poor drinking water quality, and [[air pollution]] damage the health of urban residents and the environment. According to KAZHYDROMET RMK, air pollution in Zhezkazgan is very high. [http://apps.kazhydromet.kz:3838/app_dem_visual/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211185511/http://apps.kazhydromet.kz:3838/app_dem_visual/ |date=11 December 2020 }} And the Kengir reservoir has class 5 pollution, which is the highest indicator. [http://apps.kazhydromet.kz:3838/app_dem_water_visual/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110215154/http://apps.kazhydromet.kz:3838/app_dem_water_visual/ |date=10 November 2020 }} [[Sulfurous anhydride]], [[carbon monoxide]], [[nitrogen oxide]] in a gaseous and liquid state can be found in huge quantities in the atmosphere. But the amount of these harmful gases is becoming less and less every year. For example, the emission of these gases decreased by 33.7% in the period 2012-2016. [http://www.kazhydromet.kz/ru/monitor_beluten] The factories in Zhezkazgan are located in the South, West, and East of the city. In the area of these plants, you can find a high concentration of inorganic dust (which contains [[sulfuric copper]], [[lead sulfide]]), [[nitrogen oxide]], [[sulfur dioxide]], [[carbon monoxide]], [[coal dust]], parts of [[zinc]], [[lead]], [[copper]] and [[aluminum]], [[wood dust]], [[hydrogen sulfide]], [[carbon-sulfur]], etc. 
Mostly people from the eastern and southern parts of the city suffer from this the most. The factories are located very close to the town, which violates international sanitary and environmental standards. The farthest factory is located 4900 meters, and the closest one is 500 meters from the city. [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321704901_Modern_changes_in_Zhezkazgan_city_Positive_and_negative_factors_of_tourism_development_Kazakhstan] This pollutes the water, air, soil of the earth and causes disease among residents.

==People associated with Jezkazgan==
* [[Pyotr Klimuk]], cosmonaut
* [[Kaisar Nurmagambetov]], flatwater canoer
* [[Vitaliy Savin]], former Soviet athlete
* [[Oleg Yankovsky]], Russian actor
* [[Sergei Aleksandrovich Zhukov|Sergei Zhukov]], Russian cosmonaut

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.jezkazgan.kz City website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604014925/http://jezkazgan.kz/ |date=4 June 2016 }}
*[http://podrobnosty1.narod.ru/ZHEZ/zhezphoto.htm Photos of the city]
*[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321704901_Modern_changes_in_Zhezkazgan_city_Positive_and_negative_factors_of_tourism_development_Kazakhstan]
*[https://www.inform.kz/kz/zhezkazgan-beyneu-temirzhol-magistrali-gasyrdyn-orasan-zor-zhobasy_a2477019]
*[http://apps.kazhydromet.kz:3838/app_dem_visual/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211185511/http://apps.kazhydromet.kz:3838/app_dem_visual/ |date=11 December 2020 }}
*[http://apps.kazhydromet.kz:3838/app_dem_water_visual/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110215154/http://apps.kazhydromet.kz:3838/app_dem_water_visual/ |date=10 November 2020 }}
*[http://www.kazhydromet.kz/ru/monitor_beluten]
{{Ulytau Region}}
{{Cities of Kazakhstan}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|47|47|N|67|42|E|display=title}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1938]]
[[Category:Populated places in Ulytau Region]]
[[Category:Cities and towns built in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:1938 establishments in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Ulytau Region]]