The Republic of Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia. It has borders with Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

Uzbekiston Respublikasi
coat of arms
(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: Xxxxx
Official language Uzbek
Capital Tashkent
President Islam Karimov
Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyayev
Area
 - Total
 - % water
Ranked 55th
447,400 km²
4.9%
Population
 - Total (2002)
 - Density
Ranked 41st
25,563,441
57/km²
Independence
 - Declared
 - Recognised
From Soviet Union
September 1, 1991
(Year)
Currency Uzbekistani som (UKS)
Time zone UTC +5
National anthem Xxxxx
Internet TLD.UZ
Calling Code998

Table of contents
1 History
2 Politics
3 Subdivisions
4 Geography
5 Economy
6 Demographics
7 Culture
8 Miscellaneous topics
9 External links

History

Main article: History of Uzbekistan

Politics

Main article: Politics of Uzbekistan

Subdivisions

Uzbekistan is divide into 12 wiloyatlar (singular - wiloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (respublikasi), and 1 city** (shahri):


note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions and alternate spellings have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Geography

Main article:
Geography of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 10% consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys.

See also: List of cities in Uzbekistan

Economy

Main article: Economy of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan was one of the poorest areas of the former Soviet Union with more than 60% of its population living in densely populated rural communities. Uzbekistan is now the world's third largest cotton exporter, a major producer of gold and natural gas, and a regionally significant producer of chemicals and machinery.

Following independence in December 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. Faced with high rates of inflation, however, the government began to reform in mid-1994, by introducing tighter monetary policies, expanding privatization, slightly reducing the role of the state in the economy, and improving the environment for foreign investors. The state continues to be a dominating influence in the economy, and reforms have so far failed to bring about much-needed structural changes. The IMF suspended Uzbekistan's $185 million standby arrangement in late 1996 because of governmental steps that made impossible fulfillment of Fund conditions. Uzbekistan has responded to the negative external conditions generated by the Asian and Russian financial crises by tightening export and currency controls within its already largely closed economy. Economic policies that have repelled foreign investment are a major factor in the economy's stagnation. A growing debt burden, persistent inflation, and a poor business climate cloud growth prospects in 2000.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Uzbekistan

Culture

Main article: Culture of Uzbekistan

Holidays
DateEnglish NameLocal NameRemarks

Miscellaneous topics

External links


Countries of the world  |  Asia