History of Khiva in brief
The history of Khiva is closely connected to the history of Khorezm and its numerous, significant political, social, economic and cultural events.Khorezm or Khwarizm, «Sunny land», was considered as a historical and cultural center with a lot of ancient settlements, as Toprak Kala fortress, Kyrkkyz Kala fortress, Koykyrylgan Kala fortress, Khazorasp, Khiva and others. There were primitive irrigation devices for agriculture already in a Neolithic era, approximately 4000 years ago. At the beginning of IX and VIII centuries BC Khorezmians had already started erecting semi-earthen houses.
Khiva – one of the most ancient cities of Asia which was founded in V century BC. During many centuries the Silkroad crossed the region and connected the Asia with Europe. Merchants used to stop to have a rest, to drink cold and pure water as crystal and uttered words of pleasure “Key vakh” (“what a pleasure!”), that has prompted inhabitants to name this place as “Keyvakh”. Thus, one of many legends sounds about the beginning of the establishment of Khiva.
There are several legends about the origin and name of Khiva. One of the legends dates the foundation of the city to the son of Hoah, Sim. It says, that after the World Flood, Sim after having wandered along a desert, once fell asleep, in his dream he saw 300 burning torches. Having woken up, he was delighted to this omen and created a city with outlines in the form of a ship, according to the placement of torches, which he saw in his dream. Then, Sim dug out a well of “Kheyvakh”, which the city was ostensibly named by. The shiplike form of the settlement and the still existing well “Kheyvakh” connect the myth of Khiva’s origin with the reality.
The name of "Khiva" was already mentioned in the Arabian and Persian chronicles and traveler notes of the X century AD. The arabian scientist Al-Istakhry included Khiva into the list of the 30 greatest cities of his time, and it was also mentioned by many other scholars of that time. Enumerating the Khorezmian cities in his Enigmatic Soul writing, Khudaiberdy bin Kushmuhammed noted Khiva with the words: “there is another fortress founded on sand by the son of Noah and the world better known as “Kheyvakh”. Historians studied the most ancient part of the city, Ichan Kala, excavated the old town on an area of 1.200 sq. m.
Khiva - famous city of Khorezm, one of the countries of an ancient civilization, has survived several climatic and historical disasters. The source of life in Khorezm is the river of Amudarya. Unlike the historical cities of Samarkand and Bukhara, Khiva has rich and magnificent historical values. The difference of Khiva is that all architectural monuments are preserved in their original condition.
 Juma Mosque (Friday mosque) Formerly used Friday mosque with 212 individually carved wooden columns; Climbing on an adjoining minaret is possible |
 Kunya Ark Citadel Kunya Ark – the residence of khan with a hall of reception, a summer mosque and a dungeon. It is especially interesting to look at the city from the observing tower |
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 City wall Almost completely restored typical element of eastern architecture, surrounds the historical city centre and connects four city gates looking in the four directions |
 Pachlavan Machmud Mausoleum Tomb of popular national heroes, as Pakhlavan Mahmud and one of the most visited place of the present days Huge domed building of brightly turquoise color |
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 Minarett Kalta Minar This minaret is also mentioned as "short" or "green" minaret, which is considered as a symbol of Khiva |
 Tosh Hauly Palace Residence of khan, which includes a harem with an ornate courtyard |
The modern city of Khiva
The old and eternally young city Khiva lays on a distance of 40 km from the coast of the Amudarya river, at the Palvan channel. On northwest, Khiva borders with the district of Kushkupyr, on the north with the district of Urgench, on northeast with the district of Jangyarik, on southwest with Turkmenistan. The southern part of the city borders with the Kara Kum desert. Two channels cross the city, the Ak and the Sirchali channel.The population of Khiva makes 49.200 inhabitants and covers the territory of 883 hectares. The climate is sharply continental with long hot summer, short severe winter and little precipitations. The average temperature in January is 4,5 ° C, in June 27,4 ° C. In the heat of the summer the thermometer can rise up to 44 ° C. The annual quantity of precipitation is 90-100 mm.
The territory of the old part of the city, Ichan Kala (internal city), has 26 hectares. The majority of organizations and public institutions are located in the streets of Nazhmitdin Kubro, Amir Timur and Feruz, including, municipality, tea-houses, hotels, banks and a post office. In the western part of the city, there are medical institutions - the central hospital, the lying-in home, children’s polyclinic and medical college.
The carpet factory, factory of pottery, garment factory, factory of souvenir products concern to the industrial enterprises of the city. In the city are 12 comprehensive schools, 5 children's creative centers, a puppet theater, a stadium and a park.
The Khivan Area, in which live 116.249 inhabitants, posesses 9 villages farms with a total area of 45.773 hectares. 14.321 hectares - are agricultural area under crops. The Agriculture of Khoresm is focused on the cultivation of cotton and grain. For the irrigation of the fields a great value has the Pavlan channel, which comes from the river Amu Darya.
Khiva – is the city of handicraftsmen. The association of the Khorezm art handicraftsmen is specialised in the art of woodcarving and in the manufacturing of ceramics. A characteristic of the khiva woodcarving are the decorations at doors, gates, columns and furnitures. The master woodcarvers use wood of elms and other local trees. The surfaces are conservated with cotton or linen oil.
In Khiva art painting is also developed. Masters of art painting participate in restoration works of historical monuments and designing of modern buildings. The municipality of Khiva and all inhabitants of Khiva are glad to welcome you in one of the most ancient cities of the world.
The beauty and greatness of city and charm of architectural monuments will touch even the most insensible tourist. Everyone will find something close for himself, beautiful alleyways, cosy cafe or teahouses, small souvenirshops or in the historic trade center Caravansarais.
The hospitable Khiva waits for you and wishes you pleasant stay.