 Uzbekistan
Lowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli
-12 m
Highest point: Adelunga Toghi
4,301 m
Capital: Tashkent (Toshkent)
Religion: Muslim 88% (mostly
Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%
Languages Spoken: Uzbek 74.3%,
Russian
14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%
See also: Languages
spoken in Asia, Languages of the
world
Information & Brief History
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 terrorism by Islamic militants, economic stagnation, and
the curtailment of human rights and democratization.
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