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.
Location
Central Asia, north of Afghanistan
Geographic coordinates
41 00 N, 64 00 E
Map references
Asia
Area
total
447,400 sq km
land
425,400 sq km
water
22,000 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly larger than California
Land boundaries
total
6,221 km
border countries
Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km
Coastline
0 km (doubly landlocked); note - Uzbekistan includes the southern portion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shoreline
Maritime claims
none (doubly landlocked)
Climate
mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east
Terrain
mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west
Elevation extremes
lowest point
Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m
highest point
Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m
Natural resources
natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum
Land use
arable land
10.51%
permanent crops
0.76%
other
88.73% (2005)
Irrigated land
42,810 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards
NA
Environment - current issues
shrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil contamination from buried nuclear processing and agricultural chemicals, including DDT
along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world
Population
27,780,059 (July 2007 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
32.4% (male 4,587,338/female 4,416,014)
15-64 years
62.8% (male 8,636,226/female 8,817,633)
65 years and over
4.8% (male 543,417/female 779,431) (2007 est.)
Median age
total
22.9 years
male
22.3 years
female
23.5 years (2007 est.)
Population growth rate
1.732% (2007 est.)
Birth rate
26.46 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Death rate
7.73 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Net migration rate
-1.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years
1.039 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.979 male(s)/female
65 years and over
0.697 male(s)/female
total population
0.982 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total
68.89 deaths/1,000 live births
male
73.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female
64.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population
64.98 years
male
61.57 years
female
68.56 years (2007 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.88 children born/woman (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
11,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
less than 500 (2003 est.)
Nationality
noun
Uzbekistani
adjective
Uzbekistani
Ethnic groups
Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.)
Religions
Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%
Languages
Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%
Literacy
definition
age 15 and over can read and write
total population
99.3%
male
99.6%
female
99% (2003 est.)
Country name
conventional long form
Republic of Uzbekistan
conventional short form
Uzbekistan
local long form
Ozbekiston Respublikasi
local short form
Ozbekiston
former
Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type
republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch
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)
Administrative divisions
12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (respublika), and 1 city** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati, Buxoro Viloyati, Farg'ona Viloyati, Jizzax Viloyati, Namangan Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi), Qoraqalpog'iston Respublikasi* (Nukus), Samarqand Viloyati, Sirdaryo Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri**, Toshkent Viloyati, Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch)
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
Independence
1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday
Independence Day, 1 September (1991)
Constitution
adopted 8 December 1992
Legal system
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet)
head of government
Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYAYEV (since 11 December 2003)
cabinet
Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly
elections
president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term; previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutional amendment in 2002); election last held 9 January 2000 (next to be held in 2007); prime minister, ministers, and deputy ministers appointed by the president
election results
Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote - Islom KARIMOV 91.9%, Abdulkhafiz JALALOV 4.2%
Legislative branch
bicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis consists of an upper house or Senate (100 seats; 84 members are elected by regional governing councils and 16 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) and a lower house or Legislative Chamber (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 26 December 2004 and 9 January 2005 (next to be held December 2009)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Legislative Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDPU 41, NDP 32, Fidokorlar 17, MTP 11, Adolat 9, unaffiliated 10
note: all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President KARIMOV
Judicial branch
Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly)
Political parties and leaders
Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party [Dilorom TASHMUHAMMEDOVA]; Democratic National Rebirth Party (Milly Tiklanish) or MTP [Hurshid DOSMUHAMMEDOV]; Fidokorlar National Democratic Party (Self-Sacrificers) [Ahtam TURSUNOV]; Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan or LDPU [Adham SHADMANOV; People's Democratic Party or NDP (formerly Communist Party) [Asliddin RUSTAMOV]
Political pressure groups and leaders
Agrarian and Entrepreneurs' Party [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Birlik (Unity) Movement [Abdurakhim POLAT, chairman]; Committee for the Protection of Human Rights [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party [Muhammad SOLIH, chairman] was banned 9 December 1992; Ezgulik Human Rights Society [Vasila INOYATOVA]; Free Farmers' Party or Ozod Dehqonlar [Nigora KHIDOYATOVA]; Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan [Talib YAKUBOV, chairman]; Independent Human Rights Organization of Uzbekistan [Mikhail ARDZINOV, chairman]; Mazlum; Sunshine Coalition [Sanjar UMAROV, chairman]
1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone
[1] (202) 887-5300
FAX
[1] (202) 293-6804
consulate(s) general
New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission
Ambassador Jon PURNELL
embassy
3 Moyqo'rq'on, 5th Block, Yunusobod District, Tashkent 100093
mailing address
use embassy street address
telephone
[998] (71) 120-5450
FAX
[998] (71) 120-6335
Flag description
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and 12 white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant
Economy - overview
Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11% consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than 60% of its population lives in densely populated rural communities. Uzbekistan is now the world's second-largest cotton exporter and fifth largest producer; it relies heavily on cotton production as the major source of export earnings. Other major export earners include gold, natural gas, and oil. Following independence in September 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. While aware of the need to improve the investment climate, the government still sponsors measures that often increase, not decrease, its control over business decisions. A sharp increase in the inequality of income distribution has hurt the lower ranks of society since independence. In 2003, the government accepted Article VIII obligations under the IMF, providing for full currency convertibility. However, strict currency controls and tightening of borders have lessened the effects of convertibility and have also led to some shortages that have further stifled economic activity. The Central Bank often delays or restricts convertibility, especially for consumer goods. Potential investment by Russia and China in Uzbekistan's gas and oil industry may boost growth prospects. In November 2005, Russian President Vladimir PUTIN and Uzbekistan President KARIMOV signed an "alliance," which included provisions for economic and business cooperation. Russian businesses have shown increased interest in Uzbekistan, especially in mining, telecom, and oil and gas. In December 2005, the Russians opened a "Trade House" to support and develop Russian-Uzbek business and economic ties. In 2006, Uzbekistan took steps to rejoin the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Community (EurASEC), both organizations dominated by Russia. Uzbek authorities have accused US and other foreign companies operating in Uzbekistan of violating Uzbek tax laws and have frozen their assets. US firms have not made major investments in Uzbekistan in the last 5 years.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$55.75 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$10.83 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate
7.3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$2,000 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector
agriculture
31.1%
industry
25.7%
services
43.2% (2006 est.)
Labor force
14.44 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture
44%
industry
20%
services
36% (1995)
Unemployment rate
3% officially by the Ministry of Labor, plus another 20% underemployed (2006)
Population below poverty line
33% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
3.6%
highest 10%
22% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
26.8 (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
7.6% officially, but 38% based on analysis of consumer prices (2006)
Budget
revenues
$4.08 billion
expenditures
$4.24 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (FY07 est.)
cotton, gold, energy products, mineral fertilizers, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, textiles, food products, machinery, automobiles
Exports - partners
Russia 23.9%, Poland 11.8%, China 10.5%, Turkey 7.5%, Kazakhstan 6%, Ukraine 4.7%, Bangladesh 4.4% (2006)
Imports
$3.99 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, ferrous and non-ferrous metals
Imports - partners
Russia 27.8%, South Korea 15.6%, China 10.4%, Kazakhstan 7.3%, Germany 7.1%, Ukraine 4.8%, Turkey 4.5% (2006)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$2.986 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external
$4.713 billion (2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient
$91.6 million from the US (2005)
Currency (code)
Uzbekistani soum (UZS)
Currency code
UZS
Exchange rates
Uzbekistani soum per US dollar - 1,219.8 (2006), 1,020 (2005), 971.265 (2004), 771.029 (2003), 423.832 (2002)
Fiscal year
calendar year
Telephones - main lines in use
1.717 million (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular
1.1 million (2005)
Telephone system
general assessment
antiquated and inadequate; in serious need of modernization
domestic
the main line telecommunications system is dilapidated; the state-owned telecom company, Uzbektelecom, is using a US$110 million loan from the Japanese government to improve main line services; mobile services are growing swiftly, with the subscriber base doubling in 2005 to 1.1 million; there are 6 main cellular providers currently in operation
international
country code - 998; linked by landline or microwave radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; after the completion of the Uzbek link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable, Uzbekistan will be independent of Russian facilities for international communications (2006)
Radio broadcast stations
AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 3 (2006)
Radios
10.8 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations
8 (includes 1 cable rebroadcaster in Tashkent; approximately 20 stations in regional capitals) (2006)
Televisions
6.4 million (1997)
Internet country code
.uz
Internet hosts
9,058 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
42 (2000)
Internet users
880,000 (2005)
Airports
61 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways
total
34
over 3,047 m
6
2,438 to 3,047 m
13
1,524 to 2,437 m
5
914 to 1,523 m
5
under 914 m
5 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total
27
2,438 to 3,047 m
2
under 914 m
25 (2006)
Pipelines
gas 9,594 km; oil 868 km (2006)
Railways
total
3,950 km
broad gauge
3,950 km 1.520-m gauge (620 km electrified) (2005)
Roadways
total
81,600 km
paved
71,237 km
unpaved
10,363 km (1999)
Waterways
1,100 km (2006)
Ports and terminals
Termiz (Amu Darya)
Military branches
Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service
males age 18-49
6,340,220
females age 18-49
6,432,072 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service
males age 18-49
4,609,621
females age 18-49
5,383,233 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually
males age 18-49
324,722
females age 18-49
317,062 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP
2% (2005 est.)
Disputes - international
prolonged drought and cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2004; border delimitation of 130 km of border with Kyrgyzstan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin)
39,202 (Tajikistan)
IDPs
3,400 (forced population transfers by government from villages near Tajikistan border) (2006)
Trafficking in persons
current situation
Uzbekistan is a source and, to a lesser extent, a transit country for women trafficked to Asia and the Middle East for the purpose of sexual exploitation; women from other Central Asian countries and China are trafficked through Uzbekistan; men are trafficked for purposes of forced labor in the construction and agricultural industries to Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan; men and women are also trafficked within the country
tier rating
Tier 3 - Uzbekistan is placed on Tier 3 because it failed to fulfill commitments by the country to take additional steps during 2005, including the adoption of comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation, criminal code amendments to raise trafficking penalties, support to the country's first trafficking shelter, and approval of a national action plan
Illicit drugs
transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for domestic consumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by government crop eradication program; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan
