Changes

|pm-raw         =

|pm-raw         =

|area         =172,742 sq mi

|area         =172,742 sq mi

|pop         =27,727,435

|pop         =33,333,333 (2020)

|pop-basis =2009

|pop-basis =

|gdp         =$27.918 billion  

|gdp         =$27.918 billion  

|gdp-year =2009

|gdp-year =2009

==Geography==

==Geography==

Uzbekistan shares borders with [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Turkmenistan]] and [[Afghanistan]].  In the north west tip of Uzbekistan lies the [[Aral Sea]].  The largest city in this area is Nukus which was described in the Lonely Planet guide as the "saddest place on earth" due to the rapidly shrinking water supply of the Aral Sea, as well as its heavy pollution due to weapons testing.  The Ferghana Valley is the most fertile and heavily populated area of Uzbekistan.  Prominent cities include the historical city [[Kokand]] that was once the capital of the Kokand Dynasty and Ferghana.  [[Samarkand]], [[Bukhara]] and [[Khiva]] are famous ancient cities.

Uzbekistan shares borders with [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Turkmenistan]] and [[Afghanistan]].  In the northwest tip of Uzbekistan lies the [[Aral Sea]].  The largest city in this area is Nukus which was described in the Lonely Planet guide as the "saddest place on earth" due to the rapidly shrinking water supply of the Aral Sea, as well as its heavy pollution due to weapons testing.  The Ferghana Valley is the most fertile and heavily populated area of Uzbekistan.  Prominent cities include the historical city [[Kokand]] that was once the capital of the Kokand Dynasty and Ferghana.  [[Samarkand]], [[Bukhara]] and [[Khiva]] are famous ancient cities.

*Area: 447,400 km²., slightly larger than California.

*Area: 447,400 km²., slightly larger than California.

*Major cities: Capital—Tashkent (pop. 2.5 million); Samarkand (600,000); Bukhara (350,000).

*Major cities: Capital—Tashkent (pop. 2.5 million); Samarkand (600,000); Bukhara (350,000).