Uzbekistan
| Flag of Uzbekistan Emblem of Uzbekistan | |
| Capital | Tashkent |
|---|---|
| Largest city | Tashkent |
| Official language | Uzbek |
| Government | Unitary presidential republic |
| President | Shavkat Mirziyoyev |
| Prime Minister | Abdulla Aripov |
| Area | 448,978 km2 (173,351 sq mi) |
| Population (est.) | 36,800,000 |
| Currency | Uzbekistani soʻm (UZS) |
| Time zone | UTC+05:00 (UZT) |
| Calling code | +998 |
| Internet TLD | .uz |
Uzbekistan (Template:Lang-uz), officially the Republic of Uzbekistan, is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia. It is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Kyrgyzstan to the northeast, Tajikistan to the southeast, Afghanistan to the south, and Turkmenistan to the southwest. Its capital and largest city is Tashkent.
With a population of nearly 37 million people, Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia. It is famous for its historical Silk Road cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, which feature landmark Islamic architecture and centuries of cultural heritage.
History
Ancient and Medieval Era
The region of modern Uzbekistan has been inhabited since ancient times, home to early Iranian peoples including the Sogdians and Bactrians. It was conquered by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC and later integrated into various empires, including the Kushan Empire.
In the 8th century AD, the Arab conquest brought Islam to the region. By the 14th century, Timur (Tamerlane) established the powerful Timurid Empire, choosing Samarkand as his capital and sparking a major cultural and scientific renaissance.
Russian Conquest and Soviet Era
In the 19th century, the Russian Empire expanded into Central Asia, incorporating the Khanates of Bukhara, Khiva, and Kokand. Following the Russian Revolution, the region became part of the Soviet Union, established as the Uzbek SSR in 1924. Uzbekistan declared its independence on 31 August 1991.
Geography
Uzbekistan is one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world (the other being Liechtenstein). Most of its terrain consists of flat desert, including the Kyzylkum Desert, while the east is mountainous, containing the fertile Fergana Valley. The country shares the shrinking Aral Sea with Kazakhstan along its western border.
Climate
Uzbekistan features a continental climate with hot summers and cool to cold winters. Precipitation is generally light across the country, except in mountain areas.
Economy
Uzbekistan is rich in natural resources, including natural gas, petroleum, gold, uranium, and copper. It is historically one of the world's major producers of cotton, though economic diversification efforts under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev have broadened investment into manufacturing, tourism, and services.
Demographics
- **Population:** ~36.8 million inhabitants.
- **Ethnic groups:** Uzbeks (approx. 84%), followed by Tajiks, Kazakhs, Russians, Karakalpaks, and Tatars.
- **Religions:** Predominantly Islam (approx. 88–90%, primarily Sunni) and Eastern Orthodoxy (~9%).
- **Languages:** Uzbek is the sole official state language; Russian is widely used for interethnic communication, and Karakalpak is co-official in the autonomous Karakalpakstan region.
See also
References
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