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The Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia (it is surrounded only by landlocked countries and, along with Liechtenstein, is one of only two such countries in the world). It shares borders with Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
History
Main article: History of Uzbekistan
For thousands of years the present area of Uzbekistan was a part of the Persian Empire. Before the gradual arrival of the Turkic invaders the area was populated by the Persian-speaking people of Iranian stock who still comprise a large minority in Uzbekistan and are called Tajiks today. The area was a bone of contention between the Uzbek emirs and the Persian Kings for many centuries.
In the 19th century, the Russian Empire began to expand, and spread into Central Asia. The "Great Game" period is generally regarded as running from approximately 1813 to the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907. Following the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 a second less intensive phase followed. At the start of the 19th century there were some 2000 miles separating British India and the outlying regions of the Tsarist Russia. Much of the land in between was unmapped.
By the beginning of the 19th century, Central Asia was firmly in the hands of Russia and despite some early resistance to Bolsheviks, Uzbekistan and the rest of Central Asia became a part of the Soviet Union.
On September 1, 1991, Uzbekistan reluctantly declared independence. While the Baltic States led the fight for independence, Central Asian states were afraid of it. "The centrifugal forces pulling the Union apart were weakest in Central Asia. Well after the August 1991 coup attempt, all Central Asian leaders believed that the Union might somehow be preserved," wrote Michael McFaul in Russia's Unfinished Revolution.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Uzbekistan
Subdivisions
Main article: Subdivisions of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is divided into 12 regions (viloyatlar; singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (respublika), and 1 city** (shahar):
- Andijon Viloyati
- Buxoro Viloyati (Bukhara)
- Farg‘ona Viloyati
- Jizzax Viloyati
- Xorazm Wiloyati (Urganch)
- Namangan Viloyati
- Navoiy Viloyati
- Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi)
- Qoraqalpog‘iston* (Nukus)
- Samarqand Viloyati (Samarkand)
- Sirdaryo Viloyati (Guliston)
- Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termez)
- Toshkent Shahar** (Tashkent)
- Toshkent Viloyati (Tashkent)
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, double-landlocked country of which 10% consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. It is one of two double-landlocked countries in the world - the other being Liechtenstein.
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 structural changes. The IMF suspended Uzbekistan's $185 million standby arrangement in late 1996 because of governmental steps that made fulfillment of Fund conditions impossible. 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
Communications
Main article: Communications in Uzbekistan
Transportation
Main article: Transportation in Uzbekistan
Military
Main article: Military of Uzbekistan
Foreign relations
Main article: Foreign relations of Uzbekistan
Culture
Main article: Culture of Uzbekistan
External links
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