Editing Syr Darya (section)

==Geography==
The river rises in two [[headstream]]s in the [[Tian Shan|Tian Shan Mountains]] in [[Kyrgyzstan]] and eastern [[Uzbekistan]]—the [[Naryn River]] and the [[Kara Darya]] which come together in the Uzbek part of the [[Fergana Valley]]—and flows for some {{convert|2212|km|mi}} west and north-west through Uzbekistan and southern [[Kazakhstan]] to the remains of the Aral Sea. The Syr Darya drains an area of over {{convert|800000|km2|sqmi}}, but no more than {{convert|200000|km2|sqmi}} actually contribute significant flow to the river: indeed, two of the largest rivers in its basin, the [[Talas River|Talas]] and the [[Chu River|Chu]], dry up before reaching it. Its annual flow is a very modest<ref name="autogenerated1" /> {{convert|37|km3|acre.ft|lk=out}} per year—half that of its sister river, the [[Amu Darya]].

Along its course, the Syr Darya irrigates the most productive agricultural regions in all of [[Central Asia]], together with the towns of [[Kokand]], [[Khujand]], [[Kyzylorda]] and [[Hazrat-e Turkestan|Turkestan]].

Various local governments throughout history have built and maintained an extensive system of [[canal]]s.<ref name="В. В. Бартольд. К истории орошения Туркестана."/> These canals are of central importance in this arid region. Many fell into disuse in the 17th and early 18th century, but the [[Khanate of Kokand]] rebuilt many in the 19th century, primarily along the Upper and Middle Syr Darya.