Kara-Kul is a city in the Jalal-Abad region of Kyrgyzstan.
According to the 2009 census of Kyrgyzstan, the population of the city was 22,502 people, including Kyrgyz — 21,217 people or 94.3%, Russians — 771 people or 3.4%, Uzbeks — 143 people or 0.7%, Tatars — 141 people or 0.7%.[1]
It is located near the confluence of the Kara-Su River into the Naryn River, on the Bishkek — Osh highway, 78 km from the railway station of Tash-Kumyr (the terminus of the branch from Uchkurghan).
It was established on June 16, 1962, as a settlement for hydro builders of the largest hydroelectric complex in Central Asia, the Toktogul Hydroelectric Power Station. It is located in the mountainous and rugged terrain of the Jalalabad region, along the Bishkek-Osh highway, 175 km from the regional center, 400 km from the city of Bishkek, and 75 km from the railway station. The administrative territory of the city borders to the north and east with the Toktogul district, to the south with the Nooken district, and to the west with the Aksy district. By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Kyrgyz SSR dated January 7, 1977, the settlement was transformed into the city of Kara-Kul of regional subordination.
In translation from Kyrgyz, "Kara" means Black, "Kul" means lake, thus "Black Lake".
The city is located on terraces in a gorge, surrounded by mountains. There are three artificial lakes in the city: "Pioneer", "Komsomol", and "Quarry", as well as a reservoir and two lakes belonging to a fish farm.
In close proximity to Kara-Kul, on the other side of the mountain range, there is a dam.
The city hosts large industrial enterprises, such as Cascade HPP, and the Joint Stock Company "Dostuk Plant". There are 4 schools in the city, as well as branches of the Bishkek Polytechnic Institute and a construction college.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the near-complete cessation of work on the construction of the cascade of hydroelectric power stations, some enterprises in Kara-Kul were closed, while others were repurposed. Currently, the only successful enterprise in the city remains the energy-producing company Cascade HPP, which operates the Naryn hydroelectric stations.
The long-term development of tourism envisions transforming tourism into a priority sector of the economy. To support and develop the leisure sector, organize recreation for the city's population and visiting guests, the recreation bases of Kara-Kul are mainly located on the shores of the Toktogul reservoir, including those of JSC "GM", JSC "SGEM", JSC "KGSS", Cascade HPP, Dostuk Plant, DEP-30, JSC "NGES", ATP, and UOS.
In Kara-Kul, there is a hotel complex called "Tourist", which is managed by KTGES. The hotel currently has 30 beds, a café-bar, and a sauna. The hotel rooms include luxury, semi-luxury, double, and triple rooms equipped with telephone communication.
Visiting guests have the opportunity to visit various cafés and bars, including the "Edelweiss" café (60 seats), "Cholpon" café (50 seats), and "Yrysqy" café.
Among the entertainment youth centers in the city, there is a summer park of culture and recreation (the park features various gaming attractions, carousels, and catamarans). The House of Culture "Energetik" (disco, variety concerts, modern dance groups). Advertising billboards, panels, and banners promoting hospitality and tourism are installed within the city and surrounding areas.
