History
The Parliament of Kyrgyzstan approved a bill to officially rename the city of Jalal-Abad to Manas. The law was signed by the President on September 18, 2025, and will come into effect ten days after its official publication. The change is aimed at strengthening national ideology and honoring the national hero, Manas.
One of Kyrgyzstan's main branches of the Silk Road passed through Jalalabat and the region has played host to travelers for thousands of years, although few archaeological remains are visible today – except in some of the more remote parts of the region – such as Saymaluu-Tash and the Chatkal valley. These have included travelers, traders, tourists and pilgrims (to the various holy sights) and sick people visiting the curative spas such as in the Ayub Tau mountain, at the altitude of 700 m above sea level some three kilometers out of town. …
Climate
Manas has a hot, dry-summer continental climate (Dsa) according to the Köppen climate classification. There is more rainfall in winter than in summer. The average annual temperature in Jalal-Abad is 12.3 °C (54.1 °F). About 416 mm (16.38 in) of precipitation falls annually.
Economy
The train line (a rarity in Kyrgyzstan), runs from the Ferghana Valley northeast about 30 km to Kökjanggak.
Biggest Companies: Kyrgyz-Canada JV "Kyrgyz Petroleum Company", АО «Kelechek», АО «Nur». AOZT «KyrgyzChlopok», JV «Ak-Altyn» process cotton. There are the tobacco-curing companies «Tura-Ai» Ltd and «Aziz-Tabak» Ltd., that export 90% of their output to 17 countries. There are also mill houses АО «Azrat Ayib», AOZT PTK «Intershaq», «Mariam & Co» ltd, and the liquor manufacturer AOZT «Jalalabat Arak Zavodu».
Tourism
The Jalal-Abad Region is known for its walnuts and scenery. Local sites include the Arslanbob Waterfalls and Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve and Lake. In the city itself, sites include the town square and the culture park, which contains various sculptures and Jalalabad's theater.
