Although the independent nation of Uzbekistan only came into being in 1991, the region has a long and vibrant history. Located on the famous Silk Road—a trade route that linked Europe and Asia in ancient times—the region flourished during its early history as a center of trade. From 1924 until 1991, Uzbekistan was part of the Soviet Union. The capital of Uzbekistan is Tashkent. GeographyLocated in the central part of Asia, Uzbekistan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Turkmenistan to the southwest, Afghanistan to the south, and .Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east and southeast. Uzbekistan covers an area of 172,700 square miles (447,400 square kilometers). Most of Uzbekistan consists of flat and sun-baked lands. These include the Kyzylkum Desert and the Turan Plain in the central part of the country and the Ustyurt Plateau in the west. The only mountains are located in the far eastern section of the country. The Feranga Valley, also in the east, is the country's most fertile region. Uzbekistan has three major rivers. The great Amu Darya flows through the western part of the country and empties into the Aral Sea. The Syr Darya flows through the easternmost part of Uzbekistan. The third river, the Zeravshan, runs across the southeastern part of the country. The climate in Uzbekistan is dry and continental. Summers are long and warm, and winters are short, with occasional severe frosts. Average rainfall is only 8 inches (20 centimeters). Plants and animalsA limited number of desert plants and animals live in the dry conditions of western Uzbekistan. Among the animal species found there are rodents, foxes, wolves, and occasional gazelles and antelopes. The eastern part of Uzbekistan supports a wider number of species, including limited forests. Boars, roe deer, bears, wolves, Siberian goats, and some lynx live in the high mountains. Grassland covers much of the southeastern part of the country. People and cultureAbout three fourths of the people in Uzbekistan are Uzbeks. They speak Uzbek and follow the Muslim religion. Russians, Tajiks, and Kazakhs are the largest minority groups. Most of the population of Uzbekistan lives in the eastern half of the country. The major cities are also located in the east, though only about two fifths of the people live in urban areas. The largest city by far is Tashkent, the capital. - A group of mausoleums and mosques dating from the 13th to 15th centuries stands in Samarkand, in …
Uzbekistan's rich cultural legacy can be seen in the architecture of its ancient cities. The oldest, Samarkand, dates back nearly 2,500 years. Its ancient buildings are noted for their splendid doorways, colored domes, and remarkable exterior decorations in mosaic, marble, and gold. Khiva features elaborate mosques and palaces as well. In addition to these architectural treasures, Uzbekistan also has rich scholarly traditions. Among the most famous of the country's scholars was the 15th-century ruler and astronomer Ulugh Beg, who founded a famous observatory in Samarkand. EconomyMore than a third of Uzbekistan's population is employed in agriculture. Uzbekistan is one of the largest cotton growers in the world, and cotton makes up more than 40 percent of the country's exports. Other crops include melons, grapes, and other fruits and vegetables. The herding of cattle, sheep, goats, and other livestock makes up a significant portion of Uzbekistan's economy. Silkworms also are cultivated for silk production. Cotton and textile manufacturing are large industries in Uzbekistan. Other major manufactures include cement, steel and other metals, and goods such as televisions and automobiles. Uzbekistan contains extensive natural gas, mineral, and metal resources, including gold, copper, zinc, lead, tungsten, and uranium. The country also has significant petroleum reserves. HistoryEvidence suggests that human settlement in the region of Uzbekistan began some 55,000 to 70,000 years ago. Beginning in the 6th century BC, a succession of invaders swept over the region. Many of these invaders, including Alexander the Great, were attracted to the area because of the great wealth that flowed along its famous trading route. In about the 8th century AD, Arab invaders conquered the region, bringing the Islamic religion to Uzbekistan. Mongol invasionAmong the most powerful of the invading armies was that of the fearsome Mongols. Under Genghis Khan, the Mongols swept over the land in the 13th century. In the 14th century an independent Mongol leader named Timur Lenk, or Tamerlane, arose in Samarkand. He established a dynasty known as the Timurid that covered a large area, including what is now Uzbekistan. The Timurid dynasty in turn was defeated by the Uzbeks in the early 16th century. The Uzbeks, originally from the area that is now Siberia, probably took their name from a 14th-century ruler named Öz Beg. They ruled until the 19th century, when the Russians took control of the region. Soviet periodFollowing the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917, the Uzbek population tried to create an independent state. In 1924, however, the army of the newly formed Soviet Union conquered Uzbekistan and declared it a Soviet republic. The Soviet government greatly expanded mining and agriculture. Much of the waters of the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya rivers were diverted for use in irrigation of crops. As a result, the Aral Sea, which gets much of its water from the rivers, was drastically reduced in size between 1960 and the end of the century. Scientists were worried by this since it affected the ecology of the whole region. IndependenceFollowing the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Uzbekistan declared its independence. The country suffered because of corruption in the government. In addition, other countries criticized Uzbekistan's leaders during the 1990s for mistreating those who opposed the government. Population (2001 estimate), 25,155,000. |