Charsk (Russian: Чарск) or Shar (Kazakh: Шар) is a town in Zharma District in Abai Region of eastern Kazakhstan.

Charsk
Шар
Town
Charsk is located in Kazakhstan
Charsk
Charsk
Location in Abai Region, Kazakhstan
Coordinates: 49°35′9″N 81°2′52″E / 49.58583°N 81.04778°E / 49.58583; 81.04778
CountryKazakhstan
RegionAbai Region
DistrictZharma District
Population
 (2024)[1]
 • Total
6,412
Time zoneUTC+5 (Astana Time)

Name

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Charsk is located at the left bank of the Shar River, a left tributary of the Irtysh. The name of the town originates from the name of the river.

Population

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Population:

  • 6,412, as of 2024[1]
  • 8,156 (2009 Census results)[2]
  • 9,482 (1999 Census results)[2]

History

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Charsk was founded as a railway station on the Turkestan–Siberia Railway. Until 1963, it was known as the settlement of Charsky. At the time, it was a part of Ust-Kamenogorsky Uyezd of Semipalatinsk Oblast, which in 1920 was transformed into Semipalatinsk Governorate. On January 17, 1928 Semipalatinsk Governorate was abolished, and Charsky became a part of Zharma (Dzharma) District of Semipalatinsk Okrug of the Kazak Autonomous Socialist Soviet Republic. On December 17, 1930 the okrug was abolished, and the districts were directly subordinated to the republic. On February 20, 1932 East Kazakhstan Oblast was established, and Zharma District became a part of the region. On October 14, 1939 Semipalatinsk Oblast was split off East Kazakhstan Oblast, and Zharma District was moved into Semipalatinsk Oblast.[3]

On October 16, 1939 Charsky District was established, with the administrative center located in Charsky. The district was split off Zharma District.[3] In 1963, Charsky was granted town status and renamed Charsk.[4] In 1964, the district was merged into Zharma District, and re-established on March 10, 1972. On May 3, 1997 Semipalatinsk Region was abolished and merged into East Kazakhstan Region. On May 23, 1997 Charsk District was abolished and merged into Zharma District.[3]

Economy

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Industry

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The industry of Charsk mainly serves the railway station.[4]

Transportation

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In Charsk, there is a railway station on the Turkestan–Siberia Railway which connects Novosibirsk and Almaty, on the stretch between Semey and Ayagoz. There is also a railway connecting Charsk and Oskemen. Previously, Oskemen was only connected by railways in the rest of Kazakhstan via Russia. In 2008, the bypass between Oskemen and Charsk was completed.[5]

Charsk has access to the M38 highway, which runs between Chinese and Russian borders via Semey and Pavlodar. There is also access to Oskemen via M38.

Climate

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Charsk has a humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb)[6] with very cold winters and warm summers.

Climate data for Shar (1991–2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) −0.6
(30.9)
1.7
(35.1)
11.4
(52.5)
26.1
(79.0)
32.2
(90.0)
35.5
(95.9)
37.2
(99.0)
36.6
(97.9)
32.1
(89.8)
23.8
(74.8)
12.3
(54.1)
1.7
(35.1)
37.2
(99.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −10.5
(13.1)
−7.7
(18.1)
−0.3
(31.5)
14.2
(57.6)
22.0
(71.6)
27.6
(81.7)
28.9
(84.0)
27.4
(81.3)
20.8
(69.4)
12.3
(54.1)
0.1
(32.2)
−7.3
(18.9)
10.6
(51.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) −15.5
(4.1)
−13.6
(7.5)
−6.0
(21.2)
6.7
(44.1)
13.9
(57.0)
19.8
(67.6)
21.4
(70.5)
19.3
(66.7)
12.4
(54.3)
4.9
(40.8)
−5.3
(22.5)
−12.0
(10.4)
3.8
(38.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −20.6
(−5.1)
−19.2
(−2.6)
−11.2
(11.8)
−0.1
(31.8)
5.6
(42.1)
11.8
(53.2)
14.1
(57.4)
11.3
(52.3)
4.5
(40.1)
−1.2
(29.8)
−10.1
(13.8)
−16.9
(1.6)
−2.7
(27.1)
Record low °C (°F) −35.4
(−31.7)
−32.8
(−27.0)
−25.7
(−14.3)
−9.8
(14.4)
−3.4
(25.9)
3.6
(38.5)
7.9
(46.2)
4.1
(39.4)
−4.5
(23.9)
−10.9
(12.4)
−26.0
(−14.8)
−32.2
(−26.0)
−35.4
(−31.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 13.6
(0.54)
15.0
(0.59)
18.2
(0.72)
20.5
(0.81)
24.4
(0.96)
29.9
(1.18)
52.7
(2.07)
26
(1.0)
16.8
(0.66)
25.0
(0.98)
28.7
(1.13)
20.9
(0.82)
291.7
(11.48)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.9 5.4 5.9 7.4 4.4 4.0 5.7 6.8 6.1 64.1
Source: NOAA[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b K. Kakanov, ed. (12 August 2024). "The population of the Abai region in the context of cities, districts, district centers and settlements as of January 1, 2024". Population of the Abai region - As of January 1, 2024 - 18'th serie Demographic statistics. Bureau of National statistics, Agency for Strategic planning and reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Население Республики Казахстан" [Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan] (in Russian). Департамент социальной и демографической статистики. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  3. ^ a b c Жарминский район (in Russian). Государственный архив Восточно-Казахстанской области. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Чарск". Great Soviet Encyclopedia. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  5. ^ В Казахстане открылась новая железная дорога Шар(Чарск)–Усть-Каменогорск (in Russian). Nezavisimaya Gazeta. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  6. ^ "Table 1 Overview of the Köppen-Geiger climate classes including the defining criteria". Nature: Scientific Data.
  7. ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Shar". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 18, 2024.