Norak (
Russian: Нурек,
Tajik: НоракNorak) is a city in the
Khatlon Region of
Tajikistan. It is situated on the river
Vakhsh, 885 m above sea level, and is 70 km southeast of
Dushanbe, the capital. Its population is estimated at 31,400 for the city proper and 61,500 for the city with the outlying communities (2020).[2]
The city was founded in 1960 alongside the construction of
Nurek Dam, which was completed in 1980.
The city also has a military area housing personnel working at the nearby optical satellite tracking facility, the
Okno ("Window") complex.[3]
Subdivisions
Before ca. 2018, Norak was the seat of
Norak District, which covered the rural part of the present city of Norak.[4] The city of Norak covers Norak proper and two
jamoats. These are as follows:[5]