ANDIJON

also spelled Andizhan, or Andizan, city, extreme eastern Uzbekistan. Andijon lies in the southeastern part of the Fergana Valley. The city, which stands on ancient deposits of the Andijon River, dates back at least to the 9th century. In the 15th century it became the capital of the Fergana Valley and, being on the Silk Road caravan route to China, its chief centre of trade and handicrafts. In the 18th century it became part of the khanate of Kokand, and in 1876 Andijon was captured by the Russians. In 1898 it was the scene of an abortive native rebellion against tsarist rule. Andijon is subject to frequent earth tremors and was leveled by an earthquake in 1902 that took more than 4,000 lives. Andijon is now a road and rail junction and has engineering, electrotechnical, textile, and food-processing industries. Its cultural assets include teacher-training, medical, and cotton-growing institutes, an Uzbek theatre of musical drama and comedy, a puppet theatre, and a museum. The surrounding area is the most densely populated part of Uzbekistan. Several major irrigation canals provide water for crops of cotton, grapes, and fruit. The region is also the main petroleum-producing area of Uzbekistan. Other industries are mainly concerned with processing raw cotton and other agricultural products. Pop. (1991 est.) 298,300.