part of Uzbekistan. Economy Gurlen District is a major centre for cotton production (mainly for export) and the town is known for its cotton ginneries. Other crops include rice, yams and wheat (introduced in 1990 for self-sufficiency in food), and when wheat is not grown during winter, other crops are grown such as maize, sorghum, water melons, melons, and vegetables. The Uzbek government had stated that rice should not be grown in areas near the desert, but rice fields are apparent in the vicinity of Gurlen, and it forms the bulk of land use. Irrigation in the area from damming the Amu Darya (Oxus River) which flows nearby, as part of the Amu Darya Irrigation System, has much improved agricultural production, and a number of Koreans were sent to farms in Gurlen during the Soviet era to convert the border desert areas of Kara Kum into fertile lands. Gurlen is a notable bread producer. Gurlen has a shoe factory which is a Joint-Stock Company called the “Khorasm Poiafzali”, or Garlen Shoe Factory. It was established in 1988. Shoes are manufactured from raw materials, particularly leather. Transactions are carried out in English. Several banks are located in the town centre including the Agro Bank, Xalq Bank and the Gurlen Milliy Bank. There is a large-scale poultry farm in Gurlan. Demographics As of the 1989 Census, Gurlan had a population of 19,807. Its population was 27,600 in 2016. Uzbek is the state language, although the regional Kipchak Khorezm language is also spoken by some in Gurlen. Residents are involved in professional trades of weaving, pottery, jewellery, baking, crafts and agricultural practices.). Khiva is the major city centre close to this town. The garment worn by the people is known as Khivan dona, which is an outer garment, and the other garment of general use is Urgen chapan. Musicians from the town are also well known in the country. References Populated places in Xorazm Region Urban-type settlements in Uzbekistan