The geographic position of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s geographical position underlies its nature, economy and foreign ties. Where the country lies determines its climate (far from the oceans), its water resources (rivers flow in from neighbouring mountains) and its transport and trade options (a crossroads of the Great Silk Road, but no access to the sea). Exams ask about neighbouring states, extreme points, size, administrative divisions and the advantages and drawbacks of the position, and sometimes set calculations with coordinates.

§1. Location and size

Uzbekistan lies in the central part of Central Asia, mainly between the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya. Its territory is wholly in the Northern and Eastern hemispheres, in the southern part of the temperate belt.

Extreme points:

• the northernmost and westernmost points are on the Ustyurt Plateau;
• the southernmost point is near Termez, on the Amu Darya (about 37° N);
• the easternmost point is in the eastern part of the Fergana Valley.

The country spans roughly 37° to 45.5° N and 56° to 73° E. It uses a single time zone (UTC+5).
About four-fifths of the territory is plains; the rest is mountains and foothills.

Worked example

The northernmost point is at about 45.6° N and the southernmost at about 37.2° N. Roughly how long is the country from north to south?

1. Both points are in the Northern Hemisphere, so subtract: 45.6 − 37.2 = 8.4°.
2. Along a meridian 1° ≈ 111 km.
3. Length: 8.4 · 111 ≈ 932 km. Answer: about 930 km.

§2. Borders and neighbours

Uzbekistan borders five states:

• Kazakhstan — north and west, the longest border;
• Kyrgyzstan — north-east (around the Fergana Valley);
• Tajikistan — east and south-east;
• Turkmenistan — south-west (partly along the Amu Darya);
• Afghanistan — south, the shortest border, along the Amu Darya.

Uzbekistan is the only state bordering all four other Central Asian countries, which is why it is called the "heart" of the region.

In the Fergana Valley the borders are complex: the territories of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan interlock, and there are enclaves.

The borders follow different natural features: in the south the channel of the Amu Darya (a river border), in the east mountain ranges and their foothills, and in the west and north the Ustyurt Plateau and the Kyzylkum Desert, often in almost straight lines.

§3. Assessing the position

Advantages:

• historically a crossroads of the Great Silk Road and a centre of trade, crafts and culture (Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva);
• a central position in the region — transit routes between neighbours pass through Uzbekistan;
• rich natural resources: gas, gold, uranium, copper, fertile irrigated land, solar energy;
• plenty of sunshine and heat for heat-loving crops.

Drawbacks:

• distance from the oceans — an extremely continental, dry climate and scarce water;
• no seaports — foreign trade depends on transit countries and transport costs are high;
• most water resources form in neighbouring countries (transboundary rivers), so co-operation on water sharing is essential;
• some areas are seismically active.

To ease these drawbacks, international transport corridors are being developed, with rail and road outlets towards China, Russia, Iran and Afghanistan. For example, the Angren–Pap railway (with a tunnel under the Kamchik Pass) linked the Fergana Valley directly with the rest of the country.

§4. Political-geographical position

Uzbekistan became independent in 1991 (Independence Day is 1 September). It is a member of the UN and other international organisations. The capital is Tashkent, the largest city in Central Asia. The state language is Uzbek and the currency is the sum.

§5. Administrative divisions

Regions and their centres: Andijan (Andijan), Bukhara (Bukhara), Fergana (Fergana), Jizzakh (Jizzakh), Khorezm (Urgench), Namangan (Namangan), Navoi (Navoi), Kashkadarya (Karshi), Samarkand (Samarkand), Syrdarya (Gulistan), Surkhandarya (Termez), Tashkent Region (Nurafshon). The capital of the Republic of Karakalpakstan is Nukus.

• Largest by area: Karakalpakstan; among the regions, Navoi.
• Smallest: Andijan Region, which has the highest population density.
• Regions are divided into districts and towns.

The Fergana Valley contains three regions: Andijan, Namangan and Fergana.

Worked example

Which states does Surkhandarya Region border?

1. The region lies in the far south of Uzbekistan on the Amu Darya.
2. To the south, across the Amu Darya, is Afghanistan; to the south-west, Turkmenistan.
3. To the east and north-east is Tajikistan.
4. Answer: Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.

Worked example

The western edge of the country is at about 56° E and the eastern edge at about 73° E. How much does local solar time differ between them?

1. Longitude difference: 73 − 56 = 17°.
2. The Earth turns 1° in 4 minutes: 17 · 4 = 68 minutes.
3. The Sun rises earlier in the east. Answer: about 1 hour 8 minutes, though the whole country uses one standard time.

§6. Position, nature, population and economy

The geographical position shapes the whole character of Uzbekistan:

• Nature: lying in the south of the temperate belt and far from the ocean gives hot summers, fairly cold winters and little rain, so deserts cover the plains. The south-eastern mountains catch moisture and give rise to the rivers.
• Population: more than 37 million people, the largest in Central Asia. People cluster where there is water — in oases and valleys — and are sparse in the deserts.
• Economy: plenty of heat but little water means irrigated farming; mineral wealth underpins mining and the chemical industry; the transit position favours transport and logistics.
• International ties: Uzbekistan belongs to the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and other bodies, and co-operates with its neighbours on water, energy and transport.

Worked example

Karakalpakstan covers about 166,600 km² and Uzbekistan 448,900 km². What share of the country does Karakalpakstan occupy?

1. Formula: share = part / whole · 100%.
2. 166.6 / 448.9 ≈ 0.371.
3. 0.371 · 100% ≈ 37%. Answer: about 37% — more than a third of the country.

Check yourself

1. With which state does Uzbekistan have its longest border?

2. With which state is the border shortest?

3. The centre of Khorezm Region?

4. The largest region by area?

5. The main drawback of the geographical position?

6. Two cities differ in longitude by 10°. Difference in local time?

7. The centre of Tashkent Region?

8. Latitudes 41° N and 38° N on one meridian. Distance (1° ≈ 111 km)?

Common mistakes

• Writing that the longest border is with Turkmenistan — it is with Kazakhstan.
• Counting 13 or 14 regions — there are 12; Karakalpakstan and Tashkent city are separate.
• Naming the town of Syrdarya as the centre of Syrdarya Region — the centre is Gulistan.
• Adding the latitudes of points in the same hemisphere — they must be subtracted.
• Calling Uzbekistan simply "landlocked" — it is doubly landlocked.