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'''Uzbekistan ''' is a [[totalitarian]] [[dictatorship]] in [[Central Asia]], a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and a former Soviet Socialist Republic. Its capital city is [[Tashkent]]. The president is Islom Karimov.

|name          =''O‘zbekiston Respublikasi<br>Ўзбекистон Республикаси''

The '''Republic of Uzbekistan ''' is a [[totalitarian]] [[dictatorship]] in [[Central Asia]], a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and a former Soviet Socialist Republic. Its capital city is [[Tashkent]]. The president is Islom Karimov.

==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 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.

==People==

==People==

Uzbekistan is Central Asia's most populous country. Its 27 million people, concentrated in the south and east of the country, are nearly half the region's total population. Uzbekistan had been one of the poorest republics of the Soviet Union; much of its population was engaged in cotton farming in small rural communities. The population continues to be heavily rural and dependent on farming for its livelihood. Uzbek is the predominant ethnic group. Other ethnic groups include Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, and Tatar 1.5%. The nation is 88% Sunni Muslim and 9% Eastern Orthodox. Uzbek is the official state language; however, Russian is the de facto language for interethnic communication, including much day-to-day government and business use.  

Uzbekistan is Central Asia's most populous country. Its 27 million people, concentrated in the south and east of the country, are nearly half the region's total population. Uzbekistan had been one of the poorest republics of the Soviet Union; much of its population was engaged in cotton farming in small rural communities. The population continues to be heavily rural and dependent on farming for its livelihood. Uzbek is the predominant ethnic group. Other ethnic groups include Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, and Tatar 1.5%. The nation is 88% Sunni Muslim and 9% Eastern Orthodox. Uzbek is the official state language; however, Russian is the de facto language for interethnic communication, including much day-to-day government and business use.  

The educational system has achieved 97% literacy, and the mean amount of schooling for both men and women is 11 years. However, due to budget constraints and other transitional problems following the collapse of the Soviet Union, texts and other school supplies, teaching methods, curricula, and educational institutions are outdated, inappropriate, and poorly kept. Additionally, the proportion of school-aged persons enrolled has been dropping. Although the government is concerned about this, budgets remain tight. Similarly, in health care, life expectancy is long, but after the breakup of the Soviet Union, health care resources have declined, reducing health care quality, accessibility, and efficiency.  

The educational system has achieved 97% literacy, and the mean amount of schooling for both men and women is 11 years. However, due to budget constraints and other transitional problems following the collapse of the Soviet Union, texts and other school supplies, teaching methods, curricula, and educational institutions are outdated, inappropriate, and poorly kept. Additionally, the proportion of school-aged persons enrolled has been dropping. Although the government is concerned about this, budgets remain tight. Similarly, in health care, life expectancy is long, but after the breakup of the Soviet Union, health care resources have declined, reducing health care quality, accessibility, and efficiency.  

*GDP: The Uzbek Government states the real GDP growth in 2006 was 7.2%; the U.S. Government believes actual real GDP growth was close to flat.

*GDP: The Uzbek Government states the real GDP growth in 2006 was 7.2%; the U.S. Government believes actual real GDP growth was close to flat.

*Inflation: Although reliable figures are scarce, international institutions estimate inflation reached 25-30% in 2005 and 2006.

*Inflation: Although reliable figures are scarce, international institutions estimate inflation reached 25-30% in 2005 and 2006.

*Per capita GDP: U.S. Government analysts believe that per capita GDP in 2006 was about $2,000 (purchasing power parity).

*Per capita GDP: U.S. Government analysts believe that per capita GDP in 2009 was about $1,026 (purchasing power parity).

*Natural resources: Natural gas, petroleum, gold, coal, uranium, silver, copper, lead, zinc, tungsten, molybdenum. Natural gas production in 2006 was 62.5 billion cubic meters (bcm). In 2006, the U.S. Government estimates 48.4 bcm of natural gas was consumed in Uzbekistan and 12.5 bcm was exported. Oil production in 2006 was 3,450,000 tons.

*Natural resources: Natural gas, petroleum, gold, coal, uranium, silver, copper, lead, zinc, tungsten, molybdenum. Natural gas production in 2006 was 62.5 billion cubic meters (bcm). In 2006, the U.S. Government estimates 48.4 bcm of natural gas was consumed in Uzbekistan and 12.5 bcm was exported. Oil production in 2006 was 3,450,000 tons.

*Agriculture: Products--cotton, fourth-largest producer worldwide; vegetables, fruits, grain, livestock.

*Agriculture: Products--cotton, fourth-largest producer worldwide; vegetables, fruits, grain, livestock.

Since Uzbekistan's independence, U.S. firms have invested roughly U.S. $500 million in Uzbekistan. 2006 was one of the worst years for foreign investment, especially U.S. Due to declining investor confidence, currency convertibility problems, and changes to Uzbek legislation, numerous international investors have left the country or are considering leaving. The Government of Uzbekistan declared bankrupt the Newmont Mining joint venture, the largest U.S. investor. Caterpillar Tractors pulled out in late 2006. Chevron-Texaco set up operations in 1992 and is focusing on producing lubricants for the Uzbek market. Coca Cola, one of the largest U.S. franchises, weathered problems in previous years. No large, new investments have been made by U.S. firms in the last 5 years.  

Since Uzbekistan's independence, U.S. firms have invested roughly U.S. $500 million in Uzbekistan. 2006 was one of the worst years for foreign investment, especially U.S. Due to declining investor confidence, currency convertibility problems, and changes to Uzbek legislation, numerous international investors have left the country or are considering leaving. The Government of Uzbekistan declared bankrupt the Newmont Mining joint venture, the largest U.S. investor. Caterpillar Tractors pulled out in late 2006. Chevron-Texaco set up operations in 1992 and is focusing on producing lubricants for the Uzbek market. Coca Cola, one of the largest U.S. franchises, weathered problems in previous years. No large, new investments have been made by U.S. firms in the last 5 years.  

[[Category:Asian Countries]]

[[Category:Asian Countries]]