|
 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 insurgency by Islamic militants
based in Tajikistan and Afghanistan, a nonconvertible currency,
and the curtailment of human rights and democratization. |
Location:
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Central Asia, north of Afghanistan
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Climate:
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Mostly
midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid
grassland in east
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Borders:
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Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan
2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan
1,621 km
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Uzbekistan
is bordered by Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan
and Tajikistan. The south
and east are dominated by the Tien-Shan and Pamir-Alai mountain
ranges and the Kyzyl Kum Desert lies to the northeast. The capital,
Tashkent, lies in the valley of the River Chirchik. A massive earthquake
in 1966 flattened much of the old city. The new buildings are of
little architectural interest. Samarkand, founded over 5000 years
ago, flourished until the 16th century. The centre of the historical
town is the Registan Square, where three huge Islamic seminaries – including
Shir-Dor and Tillya-Kari – built between the 15th and 17th
centuries dominate the area. Bukhara lies west of Samarkand and
was once a centre of learning renowned throughout the Islamic world.
There are more than 350 mosques and 100 religious colleges. The
centre of historical Bukhara is the Shakristan, which contains
the Ark, or palace complex of the Emirs. Plov is the staple food
and consists of chunks of mutton, shredded yellow turnip and rice
fried in a large wok. Tashkent has a variety of theatres which
show everything from European operas to traditional Uzbek dancing
and music. |
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