Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia, a member of the Commenwealth of Independent States, and a former Soviet Socialist Republic. Its capitol is Tashkent. The president is Islom Karimov.
Uzbekistan shares borders with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. The ethnic populations of Uzbekistan include Uzbeks, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Tadjiks, Russians, Tatars and Koreans. The most common languages are Uzbek, Russian, Tadjik and Karakalpak.
Notable Features
Aral Sea 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. This is due to the rapidly shrinking water supply of the Aral Sea. The sea is also heavily poluted due to weapons testing.
Ferghana Valley The most fertile and heavily populated area of Uzbekistan. Prominent cities include the historically city Kokand that was once the capital of the Kokand Dynasty and Ferghana City a very Russian city.
Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva The three most famous ancient cities of Uzbekistan.
