Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
Republic of Uzbekistan
Oʻzbekiston Respublikasi (Uzbek)
Flag
State emblem[1]
Anthem: "Oʻzbekiston Respublikasining Davlat Madhiyasi"
(English: "State Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan")
Location of Uzbekistan (green)
Capital
and largest cityTashkent
41°19′N 69°16′EOfficial languagesUzbekInter-ethnic languageRussian[2][3][4][5][6]Ethnic groups
[7]DemonymUzbekGovernmentUnitary presidentialconstitutional republic• President
Shavkat Mirziyoyev• Prime Minister
Abdulla AripovLegislatureSupreme Assembly• Upper house
Senate• Lower house
Legislative ChamberFormation• Emirate of Bukharaproclaimed
1785• Bukharan People's Soviet Republicestablished
30 April 1920• Uzbek SSRestablished after national delimitation
27 October 1924• Declared independence from the Soviet Union
31 August 1991• Formally recognized
26 December 1991• Admitted to theUnited Nations
2 March 1992• Current constitution
8 December 1992Area • Total
448,978 km2(173,351 sq mi) (56th)• Water (%)
4.9Population• 2017 estimate
32,979,000[8][9] (42nd)• Density
70.5/km2(182.6/sq mi) (132nd)GDP (PPP)2018 estimate• Total
$241.529 billion[10](62)• Per capita
$7,524[10] (125th)GDP (nominal)2018 estimate• Total
$71.824 billion[10](69th)• Per capita
$2,238[10] (130th)Gini (2013) 36.7[11][12]
medium · 88thHDI (2015) 0.701[13]
high · 105thCurrencyUzbekistani soʻm(UZS)Time zoneUZT (UTC+5)Drives on therightCalling code+998ISO 3166 codeUZInternet TLD.uzUzbekistan (US: /ʊzˈbɛkɪˌstæn, -ˌstɑːn/ ( listen), UK: /ʊzˌbɛkɪˈstɑːn, -ˈstæn/), officially also the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzbek: Oʻzbekiston Respublikasi/Ўзбекистон Республикаси), is a doubly landlocked Central AsianSovereign state. It is a secular, unitaryconstitutional republic, comprising 12 provinces, one autonomous republic, and a capital city. Uzbekistan is bordered by five landlocked countries: Kazakhstan to the north; Kyrgyzstan to the northeast; Tajikistan to the southeast; Afghanistan to the south; and Turkmenistan to the southwest.
What is now Uzbekistan was in ancient times part of the Iranian-speaking region of Transoxiana. The first recorded settlers were Eastern Iranian nomads, known as Scythians, who founded kingdoms in Khwarezm (8th–6th centuries BC), Bactria(8th–6th centuries BC), Sogdia (8th–6th centuries BC), Fergana (3rd century BC – 6th century AD), and Margiana (3rd century BC – 6th century AD). The area was incorporated into the Persian Empireand, after a period of Macedonian Greek rule, was ruled mostly by Persian dynasties until the Muslim conquest in the 7th century, turning the majority of the population towards Islam. During this period, cities such as Samarkand, Khiva and Bukhara began to grow rich from the Silk Road. The local Khwarezmian dynasty, and Central Asia as a whole, were decimated by the Mongol invasion in the 13th century. After the Mongol Conquests, the area became increasingly dominated by Turkic peoples. The city of Shahrisabz was the birthplace of the Turco-Mongol warlord Timur, also known as one of Ghangis Khan grandchild, who in the 14th century established the Timurid Empire and was proclaimed the Supreme Emir of Turan with his capital in Samarkand. The area was conquered by Uzbek Shaybanids in the 16th century, moving the centre of power from Samarkand to Bukhara. The region was split into three states: Khanate of Khiva, Khanate of Kokand, and Emirate of Bukhara. It was gradually incorporatedinto the Russian Empire during the 19th century, with Tashkent becoming the political center of Russian Turkestan. In 1924, after national delimitation, the constituent republic of the Soviet Unionknown as the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic was created. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, it declared independence as the Republic of Uzbekistan on 31 August 1991.
Uzbekistan has a diverse cultural heritage due to its storied history and strategic location. Its official language is Uzbek, a Turkic language written in the Latin alphabet and spoken natively by approximately 85% of the population. Russian has widespread use; it is the most widely taught second language. Uzbeks constitute 81% of the population, followed by Russians (5.4%), Tajiks (4.0%), Kazakhs (3.0%), and others (6.5%). Muslims constitute 79% of the population while 5% of the population follow Russian Orthodox Christianity, and 16% of the population follow other religions or are non-religious. A majority of Uzbeks are non-denominational Muslims.[14] Uzbekistan is a member of the CIS, OSCE, UN, and the SCO. While officially a democratic republic,[15] by 2008 non-governmental human rightsorganizations defined Uzbekistan as "an authoritarian state with limited civil rights".[16]
Following the death of Islam Karimov in 2016, the second president – Shavkat Mirziyoyev started a new course, which was described as a A Quiet Revolutionand Revolution from Above. He stated he intended to abolish cotton slavery, systematic use of child labour,[17] exit visas, to introduce a tax reform, create four new free economic zones, as well as amnestied some political prisoners. The relations with neighboring countries of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Afghanistandrastically improved.[18][19][20][21] However, the Amnesty International report on human rights in the country for 2017/2018 described continued repressive measures, including forced labour in cotton harvesting, and restrictions on movements of 'freed' prisoners.[22]
The Uzbek economy is in a gradual transition to the market economy, with foreign trade policy being based on import substitution. In September 2017, the country's currency became fully convertible in the market rates. Uzbekistan is a major producer and exporter of cotton. The country also operates the largest open-pit gold mine in the world. With the gigantic power-generation facilities of the Soviet era and an ample supply of natural gas, Uzbekistan has become the largest electricity producer in Central Asia.[23] Renewable energy constitutes more than 23% of the country's energy sector, with hydroelectricity and solar energy having 21.4% and 2% respectively.
Contents
GeographyEditMain article: Geography of Uzbekistan
See also: List of cities in Uzbekistan
Map of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan has an area of 447,400 square kilometres (172,700 sq mi). It is the 56th largest country in the world by area and the 42nd by population.[24] Among the CIS countries, it is the 4th largest by area and the 2nd largest by population.[25]
Uzbekistan lies between latitudes 37° and 46° N, and longitudes 56° and 74° E. It stretches 1,425 kilometres (885 mi) from west to east and 930 kilometres (580 mi) from north to south. Bordering Kazakhstan and the Aral Sea to the north and northwest, Turkmenistan to the southwest, Tajikistan to the southeast, and Kyrgyzstanto the northeast, Uzbekistan is one of the largest Central Asian states and the only Central Asian state to border all the other four. Uzbekistan also shares a short border (less than 150 km or 93 mi) with Afghanistan to the south.
Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country. It is one of two doubly landlocked countries in the world (that is, a country completely surrounded by landlocked countries), the other being Liechtenstein. In addition, due to its location within a series of endorheic basins, none of its rivers lead to the sea. Less than 10% of its territory is intensively cultivated irrigated land in river valleys and oases. The rest is vast desert (Kyzyl Kum) and mountains.
Uzbekistan map of Köppen climate classification
The highest point in Uzbekistan is the Khazret Sultan, at 4,643 metres (15,233 ft) above sea level, in the southern part of the Gissar Range in Surkhandarya Province, on the border with Tajikistan, just northwest of Dushanbe(formerly called Peak of the 22nd Congress of the Communist Party).[25]
The climate in Uzbekistan is continental, with little precipitation expected annually (100–200 millimetres, or 3.9–7.9 inches). The average summer high temperature tends to be 40 °C (104 °F), while the average winter low temperature is around −23 °C (−9 °F).[26]
EnvironmentEditComparison of the Aral Sea between 1989 and 2014
Uzbekistan has a rich and diverse natural environment. However, decades of questionable Soviet policies in pursuit of greater cotton production have resulted in a catastrophic scenario with the agricultural industry being the main contributor to the pollution and devastation of both air and water in the country.[27]
The Aral Sea used to be the fourth-largest inland sea on Earth, acting as an influencing factor in the air moisture and arid land use.[28] Since the 1960s, the decade when the overuse of the Aral Sea water began, it has shrunk to less than 50% of its former area and decreased in volume threefold. Reliable, or even approximate data, have not been collected, stored or provided by any organization or official agency. Much of the water was and continues to be used for the irrigation of cotton fields, a crop requiring a large amount of water to grow.[29]
Due to the Aral Sea problem, high salinity and contamination of the soil with heavy elementsare especially widespread in Karakalpakstan, the region of Uzbekistan adjacent to the Aral Sea. The bulk of the nation's water resources is used for farming, which accounts for nearly 84% of the water usage and contributes to high soil salinity. Heavy use of pesticides and fertilizers for cotton growing further aggravates soil contamination.[26]
According to the UNDP (United Nations Development Program), climate risk management in Uzbekistan needs to consider its ecological safety.[30]
Edit
Republic of Uzbekistan
Oʻzbekiston Respublikasi (Uzbek)
Flag
State emblem[1]
Anthem: "Oʻzbekiston Respublikasining Davlat Madhiyasi"
(English: "State Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan")
Location of Uzbekistan (green)
Capital
and largest cityTashkent
41°19′N 69°16′EOfficial languagesUzbekInter-ethnic languageRussian[2][3][4][5][6]Ethnic groups
- 83.8% Uzbek
- 4.8% Tajik
- 2.5% Kazakh
- 2.3% Russian
- 2.2% Karakalpak
- 4.5% others
[7]DemonymUzbekGovernmentUnitary presidentialconstitutional republic• President
Shavkat Mirziyoyev• Prime Minister
Abdulla AripovLegislatureSupreme Assembly• Upper house
Senate• Lower house
Legislative ChamberFormation• Emirate of Bukharaproclaimed
1785• Bukharan People's Soviet Republicestablished
30 April 1920• Uzbek SSRestablished after national delimitation
27 October 1924• Declared independence from the Soviet Union
31 August 1991• Formally recognized
26 December 1991• Admitted to theUnited Nations
2 March 1992• Current constitution
8 December 1992Area • Total
448,978 km2(173,351 sq mi) (56th)• Water (%)
4.9Population• 2017 estimate
32,979,000[8][9] (42nd)• Density
70.5/km2(182.6/sq mi) (132nd)GDP (PPP)2018 estimate• Total
$241.529 billion[10](62)• Per capita
$7,524[10] (125th)GDP (nominal)2018 estimate• Total
$71.824 billion[10](69th)• Per capita
$2,238[10] (130th)Gini (2013) 36.7[11][12]
medium · 88thHDI (2015) 0.701[13]
high · 105thCurrencyUzbekistani soʻm(UZS)Time zoneUZT (UTC+5)Drives on therightCalling code+998ISO 3166 codeUZInternet TLD.uzUzbekistan (US: /ʊzˈbɛkɪˌstæn, -ˌstɑːn/ ( listen), UK: /ʊzˌbɛkɪˈstɑːn, -ˈstæn/), officially also the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzbek: Oʻzbekiston Respublikasi/Ўзбекистон Республикаси), is a doubly landlocked Central AsianSovereign state. It is a secular, unitaryconstitutional republic, comprising 12 provinces, one autonomous republic, and a capital city. Uzbekistan is bordered by five landlocked countries: Kazakhstan to the north; Kyrgyzstan to the northeast; Tajikistan to the southeast; Afghanistan to the south; and Turkmenistan to the southwest.
What is now Uzbekistan was in ancient times part of the Iranian-speaking region of Transoxiana. The first recorded settlers were Eastern Iranian nomads, known as Scythians, who founded kingdoms in Khwarezm (8th–6th centuries BC), Bactria(8th–6th centuries BC), Sogdia (8th–6th centuries BC), Fergana (3rd century BC – 6th century AD), and Margiana (3rd century BC – 6th century AD). The area was incorporated into the Persian Empireand, after a period of Macedonian Greek rule, was ruled mostly by Persian dynasties until the Muslim conquest in the 7th century, turning the majority of the population towards Islam. During this period, cities such as Samarkand, Khiva and Bukhara began to grow rich from the Silk Road. The local Khwarezmian dynasty, and Central Asia as a whole, were decimated by the Mongol invasion in the 13th century. After the Mongol Conquests, the area became increasingly dominated by Turkic peoples. The city of Shahrisabz was the birthplace of the Turco-Mongol warlord Timur, also known as one of Ghangis Khan grandchild, who in the 14th century established the Timurid Empire and was proclaimed the Supreme Emir of Turan with his capital in Samarkand. The area was conquered by Uzbek Shaybanids in the 16th century, moving the centre of power from Samarkand to Bukhara. The region was split into three states: Khanate of Khiva, Khanate of Kokand, and Emirate of Bukhara. It was gradually incorporatedinto the Russian Empire during the 19th century, with Tashkent becoming the political center of Russian Turkestan. In 1924, after national delimitation, the constituent republic of the Soviet Unionknown as the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic was created. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, it declared independence as the Republic of Uzbekistan on 31 August 1991.
Uzbekistan has a diverse cultural heritage due to its storied history and strategic location. Its official language is Uzbek, a Turkic language written in the Latin alphabet and spoken natively by approximately 85% of the population. Russian has widespread use; it is the most widely taught second language. Uzbeks constitute 81% of the population, followed by Russians (5.4%), Tajiks (4.0%), Kazakhs (3.0%), and others (6.5%). Muslims constitute 79% of the population while 5% of the population follow Russian Orthodox Christianity, and 16% of the population follow other religions or are non-religious. A majority of Uzbeks are non-denominational Muslims.[14] Uzbekistan is a member of the CIS, OSCE, UN, and the SCO. While officially a democratic republic,[15] by 2008 non-governmental human rightsorganizations defined Uzbekistan as "an authoritarian state with limited civil rights".[16]
Following the death of Islam Karimov in 2016, the second president – Shavkat Mirziyoyev started a new course, which was described as a A Quiet Revolutionand Revolution from Above. He stated he intended to abolish cotton slavery, systematic use of child labour,[17] exit visas, to introduce a tax reform, create four new free economic zones, as well as amnestied some political prisoners. The relations with neighboring countries of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Afghanistandrastically improved.[18][19][20][21] However, the Amnesty International report on human rights in the country for 2017/2018 described continued repressive measures, including forced labour in cotton harvesting, and restrictions on movements of 'freed' prisoners.[22]
The Uzbek economy is in a gradual transition to the market economy, with foreign trade policy being based on import substitution. In September 2017, the country's currency became fully convertible in the market rates. Uzbekistan is a major producer and exporter of cotton. The country also operates the largest open-pit gold mine in the world. With the gigantic power-generation facilities of the Soviet era and an ample supply of natural gas, Uzbekistan has become the largest electricity producer in Central Asia.[23] Renewable energy constitutes more than 23% of the country's energy sector, with hydroelectricity and solar energy having 21.4% and 2% respectively.
Contents
GeographyEditMain article: Geography of Uzbekistan
See also: List of cities in Uzbekistan
Map of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan has an area of 447,400 square kilometres (172,700 sq mi). It is the 56th largest country in the world by area and the 42nd by population.[24] Among the CIS countries, it is the 4th largest by area and the 2nd largest by population.[25]
Uzbekistan lies between latitudes 37° and 46° N, and longitudes 56° and 74° E. It stretches 1,425 kilometres (885 mi) from west to east and 930 kilometres (580 mi) from north to south. Bordering Kazakhstan and the Aral Sea to the north and northwest, Turkmenistan to the southwest, Tajikistan to the southeast, and Kyrgyzstanto the northeast, Uzbekistan is one of the largest Central Asian states and the only Central Asian state to border all the other four. Uzbekistan also shares a short border (less than 150 km or 93 mi) with Afghanistan to the south.
Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country. It is one of two doubly landlocked countries in the world (that is, a country completely surrounded by landlocked countries), the other being Liechtenstein. In addition, due to its location within a series of endorheic basins, none of its rivers lead to the sea. Less than 10% of its territory is intensively cultivated irrigated land in river valleys and oases. The rest is vast desert (Kyzyl Kum) and mountains.
Uzbekistan map of Köppen climate classification
The highest point in Uzbekistan is the Khazret Sultan, at 4,643 metres (15,233 ft) above sea level, in the southern part of the Gissar Range in Surkhandarya Province, on the border with Tajikistan, just northwest of Dushanbe(formerly called Peak of the 22nd Congress of the Communist Party).[25]
The climate in Uzbekistan is continental, with little precipitation expected annually (100–200 millimetres, or 3.9–7.9 inches). The average summer high temperature tends to be 40 °C (104 °F), while the average winter low temperature is around −23 °C (−9 °F).[26]
EnvironmentEditComparison of the Aral Sea between 1989 and 2014
Uzbekistan has a rich and diverse natural environment. However, decades of questionable Soviet policies in pursuit of greater cotton production have resulted in a catastrophic scenario with the agricultural industry being the main contributor to the pollution and devastation of both air and water in the country.[27]
The Aral Sea used to be the fourth-largest inland sea on Earth, acting as an influencing factor in the air moisture and arid land use.[28] Since the 1960s, the decade when the overuse of the Aral Sea water began, it has shrunk to less than 50% of its former area and decreased in volume threefold. Reliable, or even approximate data, have not been collected, stored or provided by any organization or official agency. Much of the water was and continues to be used for the irrigation of cotton fields, a crop requiring a large amount of water to grow.[29]
Due to the Aral Sea problem, high salinity and contamination of the soil with heavy elementsare especially widespread in Karakalpakstan, the region of Uzbekistan adjacent to the Aral Sea. The bulk of the nation's water resources is used for farming, which accounts for nearly 84% of the water usage and contributes to high soil salinity. Heavy use of pesticides and fertilizers for cotton growing further aggravates soil contamination.[26]
According to the UNDP (United Nations Development Program), climate risk management in Uzbekistan needs to consider its ecological safety.[30]
Edit