Central Asia > Uzbekistan > People, Geography and History

This information is current as of Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - 11:00:11 UZBEKISTAN July 03, 2008 This Travel Warning is being issued to remind U.S. citizens that the potential for a terrorist attack or localized civil disturbance still exists, despite the fact that there have been no violent incidents in Uzbekistan since May 2005. The Department of State continues to urge Americans in Uzbekistan to exercise caution when traveling in the region. This supersedes the Travel Warning dated October 25, 2007. The U.S. Government continues ... Read this Article

Global Cost of Living Rank

Location: Tashkent
Rank: 689 of 1082 monitored. Click for Detail

CIA Background Information

Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff resistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventually suppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1924. During the Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies, which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain rivers half dry. Independent since 1991, the country seeks to gradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing its mineral and petroleum reserves. Current concerns include terrorism by Islamic militants, economic stagnation, and the curtailment of human rights and democratization.

U.S. State Department Description

Country Description: Uzbekistan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. While the country has undergone significant change since then, its progress towards democratic and economic reform has been halting and uneven. Corruption is endemic at all levels of society. Much of the country, particularly areas outside of Tashkent and the major tourist destinations of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, is remote and difficult to access. Tourist facilities in these areas are typically below Western standards, and many goods and services remain difficult to find on a regular basis. Read the Department of State Background Notes ... Read this Article

About the People

People Nationality: Uzbek. Population (July 2008 est.): 27,345,026. Ethnic groups (1996 est.): Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5%. Religions: Muslim 90% (mostly Sunni), Eastern Orthodox 5%, other 3%. Languages: Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%. Education: Literacy--97% (total population). Health (2005 est.): Life expectancy--60.82 years men; 67.73 years women. Work force (11.9 million): Agricultural and forestry--44%, industry--20%; services--36%. Government Type: ... Read this Article

Statistics at a Glance

Location: Uzbekistan is Central Asia, north of Afghanistan See Map

Capital: name: Tashkent (Toshkent)
geographic coordinates: 41 20 N, 69 18 E
time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Currency (Code): soum (UZS) ...More

Area: total: 447,400 sq km , land: 425,400 sq km , water: 22,000 sq km ( 1 sq km is approximately 0.4 sq miles or 250 acres)

Area Comparison: slightly larger than California

Elevation Extremes: lowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m , highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m (1 meter = 3.28 feet)

Population: 27,345,026 (July 2008 est.)

Unemployment: 0.8% officially by the Ministry of Labor, plus another 20% underemployed (2007 est.)

Ethnic Groups: Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.)

Religion: Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%

Languages: Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%

More Statistics

History

History Located in the heart of Central Asia between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers, Uzbekistan has a long and interesting heritage. The leading cities of the famous Silk Road--Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva--are located in Uzbekistan, and many well-known conquerors passed through the land. Alexander the Great stopped near ... Read this Article

Geographic Info for Uzbekistan :

Geography Area: 447,400 sq. km., slightly larger than California. Major cities: Capital--Tashkent (pop. 2.5 million); Samarkand (600,000); Bukhara (350,000). Terrain: Flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat, intensely irrigated river valleys along Amu Darya, Syr Darya; shrinking Aral Sea; semiarid grasslands surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in east. Climate: Mid-latitude desert; long, hot ... Read this Article