CHIRCHIQ

formerly Chirchik, industrial city, eastern Uzbekistan. It lies along the Chirchiq River, 20 miles (30 km) northeast of Tashkent. Chirchiq was created in 1935 from several villages that developed with the construction of the Chirchiq hydroelectric power station and a large electrochemical works producing nitrogenous fertilizers and related chemicals. Chirchiq also produces ferroalloys, manufactures machinery for agriculture and the chemical and electrotechnical industries, and has a technical institute. Pop. (1991 est.) 158,400.