American Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Development ISSN Online: 2771-8948 Website: www.ajird.journalspark.org Volume 14, March, 2023 212 | P a g e GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS AND TOURIST FEATURES OF THE LOWER REACH OF THE CHATKAL RIVER Abdullaev Ilkhom Khatamovich, Candidate of Geographical Sciences, Associate Professor, Tashkent State Pedagogical University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Ubaydullaeva Shodiya Ravshan kizi, 3rd Course Student Tashkent State Pedagogical University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Annotation: This article discusses the geographical features of the lower reaches of the Chatkal River, the sights and tourist features of the main large tributaries, and also describes the tourist routes of individual territories. Keywords: geographical conditions, recreation, tourism, reservoir, river, tourist route, canyon, landmark, waterfall. Introduction The Republic of Uzbekistan is famous for its places and recreational and tourist conditions. This is especially characteristic of the mountainous foothill territories, as the nature of the territory of the western spurs of the Western Tian Shan, in particular the lower reaches of the Chatkal River. The Chatkal River is one of the main tributaries of the Chirchik River, which is one of the main water arteries of the Tashkent agglomeration. Approximately 25% of the population of Uzbekistan and the city of Tashkent live here. The population of this region is characterized by high dynamic mobility, especially in the field of recreation and tourism. Mountains, rivers, lakes, reservoirs are natural conditions and tourist features of particular interest to study. Main Part The Chatkal River is a mountain river flowing through the territory of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Chatkal originates on the southwestern spurs of the Talas Alatau ridge. The Chatkal flows to the west between the Sandalash and Koksu ridges in the north and the Chatkal ridge in the south. In its upper course, the Chatkal flows in a wide, ancient glacial valley with steep slopes. Before the filling of the Charvak reservoir, Chatkal was the left tributary of the Chirchik River. In the upper reaches of the Chatkal is called Karakulzha. The total length of the Chatkal River is 217 km. The area of the Chatkal river basin is 7110 km². Before the confluence of the American Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Development ISSN Online: 2771-8948 Website: www.ajird.journalspark.org Volume 14, March, 2023 213 | P a g e tributary, the Ters River, into the Chatkal River, the Chatkal River flows in a deep gorge. The banks of the Chatkal River form terraces from 7 m to 10 m high. The river often breaks into branches. Having received a large tributary from the right - the Sandalash River, Chatkal becomes a large high-water mountain river. Chatkal is a powerful river. It originates on the southwestern slopes of the Talas Alatau ridge in Kyrgyzstan. On the territory of Uzbekistan, several tributaries flow into the Chatkal River, including Akbulak, Kazanaksai, Paltau, Chukuraksu. The upper reaches of the Chatkal River (photo by the authors) On the territory of Uzbekistan, along the valley of the Chatkal River and its tributaries, there are a number of picturesque canyons, which, in terms of tourism opportunities, have great prospects, especially for compiling mountain tourism routes. By the beginning of the first canyon, the river is going in one direction. The length of the canyon is 2.5-3.0 km. After a slight expansion of the valley, the 2nd ten-kilometer canyon follows. After 3 km, the third, most picturesque canyon of Chatkal begins, 4 km long. The fourth canyon is not pronounced. At the end of the 5th canyon, near the village of Brich-Mulla, the modern Chatkal flows into the Charvak reservoir. Today, some of them are under the waters of the reservoir. The canyons of the river are especially picturesque and interesting. Koksu which is the right tributary of the river. Chatkal. On the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Chatkal River receives the waters of the following major tributaries: -Akbulaksay - on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan (left); -Kazanaksai (on the right); -Khudoydodsay (on the right); American Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Development ISSN Online: 2771-8948 Website: www.ajird.journalspark.org Volume 14, March, 2023 214 | P a g e -Chukraksu (on the right); -Paltau (right); -Yangikurgansay - from mid-spring to late autumn flows into the Charvak reservoir (left); -Koksu River - from mid-spring to late autumn flows into the Charvak reservoir (on the right). Each tributary has its own natural conditions and attractions, being unique in terms of exploring geographical conditions and tourist attractions. For example, paleogeographic data in the valley of the river are very interesting. Paltau. In the vicinity of the village of Obi- rakhmat (Aurakhmat) in 2003 on the banks of the right tributary of the Chatkal Paltau river in the Obi-Rakhmat grotto (41 ° 34 ″ 08, 8 ″ N, 70 ° 08 ″ 00, 3 ″ E .) were found the remains of a boy 9 - 12 years old, similar to Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon. According to archaeologists, the age of the remains is at least 50 thousand years. In addition, a large number of remains of various wild animals (skeletons, bones), traces of a fire, etc. were found here. At the end of the 20th century, the most famous tourist routes, such as the Alyam ring, passed through the valley of the Chatkal River. The Chatkal River was popular with lovers of water tourism. In October 1975, on the Chatkal River in the Brichmulla region, the 2nd All- Union Water Tourism Competition was held, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Victory over Nazi Germany. 22 teams from different republics, cities of Moscow and Leningrad took part in the competition. Subsequently, the last international tourist tours were held in 1987, 1993 and 1997. Currently, due to interstate territorial issues and problems, international tourism in the valley of the Chatkal River outside of Uzbekistan is rather difficult. Today, in our opinion, the tourist route along the valley of the river is very interesting. Chukuraksu. Our route: from the Charvak reservoir up the Chatkal. The goal is the Chukuraksu waterfall. We are located on the territory of Ugam - Chatkal State Natural National Park. At least 2,200 species of plants have been identified in the park, from the Turan desert flora to the alpine flora of Pamir-Alay. The park is located on five plant belts of the mountain spurs of the Western Tien Shan. Occupies an area of 574.6 thousand hectares. The Chukuraksu waterfall is located on a hill 3-5 km from the village of Obi-Rakhmat, Bostanlyk district, Tashkent region. To get to this waterfall, we will drive from Gazalkent to the village of Burchmullo and along a hilly road we will reach the village of Obi-Rakhmat. To enter the territory of the reserve, you must go through a checkpoint with a passport and at the same time register and warn about fire safety. From the ring road, our route moves towards the mountains to the east and about 3 km uphill along the slope. Although this road is unpaved, it is suitable for driving. Along the way, you can get acquainted with the beautiful nature and poplar groves of the village of Obi-Rakhmat, the beauty of the Chatkal river valley. Approximately another 2 km we climb up the slope. The waterfall is located 3-5 km from the dirt road Charvak-Akbulak. An inconspicuous path can be traced along the gorge, among the thickets of blackberries and winding under the canopy of trees. The trail actually rests on the Chukraksu waterfall itself. Difficulty: medium. The itinerary is one-day and can American Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Development ISSN Online: 2771-8948 Website: www.ajird.journalspark.org Volume 14, March, 2023 215 | P a g e be completed in one day. If you drive halfway by car, then the climb up the mountain will take from 40 to 120 minutes. This large beautiful waterfall is nestled in the depths of a deaf gorge on a tributary of the mighty Chatkal River. The height of the Chukuraksu waterfall is about 20 meters. The water of the stream of the same name falls from a stone cliff onto a gravel bowl, and millions of water droplets often form a rainbow at the foot of the waterfall. American Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Development ISSN Online: 2771-8948 Website: www.ajird.journalspark.org Volume 14, March, 2023 216 | P a g e Chukuraksu waterfall (authors photo) American Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Development ISSN Online: 2771-8948 Website: www.ajird.journalspark.org Volume 14, March, 2023 217 | P a g e The best time to see this waterfall is June-July. In order to see the waterfall, you need to stock up on permits to visit the border area, because. you will have to go through a specially protected section of the border zone, since the border with Kyrgyzstan is only 5 km away. Conclusion Each sai and river is of particular interest and the study of them from the point of view of geography, recreation and tourism is of great scientific, practical and economic importance. The study of individual objects of nature, their geographical conditions is of great interest. In general, the most interesting object of this territory is the reservoir itself. The area of its water surface is more than 40 km², the length of the coastline is 83 kilometers. The volume of the reservoir is approximately 2 km³. Dozens of hotels, boarding houses, rest houses and children's health camps have been built around the reservoir. The study of rivers, lakes, the coastal part of the reservoir, unique natural objects located near this territory provides opportunities for the use of this territory. Literature: 1. Abdullaev I.Kh., Ubaydullaeva Sh. Geographical features of the archaeological site "Obi- Rakhmat". Journal of geography and natural resources / SJIF. 2022: 6.037/ 1-6 pages 2. Krivoshapkin AI Obi-Rakhmat of the transition from the Middle to the Upper Paleolithic. - Novosibirsk, 2012. 3. https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki