GULISTON

also spelled Gulistan, formerly (until 1961) Mirzachul, city, eastern Uzbekistan. It lies in the southeastern part of the Mirzachl (formerly Golodnaya) steppe, 75 miles (120 km) southwest of Tashkent. It became important after irrigation works enabled cotton to be grown in the area. It served as the administrative centre of Syrdarya oblast (province) from 1963 to 1991, during the Soviet period. Pop. (1991 est.) 56,900.