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Uzbekistan



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Introduction - Uzbekistan:
CountryUzbekistan

BackgroundRussia 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.

Location - Uzbekistan:
LocationCentral Asia, north of Afghanistan

Geographic coordinates41 00 N, 64 00 E

Map referencesAsia

Areatotal: 447,400 sq km
land: 425,400 sq km
water: 22,000 sq km

Area comparativeslightly larger than California

Land boundariestotal: 6,221 km
border countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km

Coastline0 km (doubly landlocked); note - Uzbekistan includes the southern portion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shoreline

Maritime claimsnone (doubly landlocked)

Climatemostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east

Terrainmostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west

Elevation extremeslowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m
highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m

Natural resourcesnatural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum

Land usearable land: 10.51%
permanent crops: 0.76%
other: 88.73% (2005)

Irrigated land42,810 sq km (2003)

Natural hazardsNA

Environment current issuesshrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil contamination from buried nuclear processing and agricultural chemicals, including DDT

Environment international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography notealong with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world

People - Uzbekistan:
Population27,780,059 (July 2007 est.)

Age structure0-14 years: 32.4% (male 4,587,338/female 4,416,014)
15-64 years: 62.8% (male 8,636,226/female 8,817,633)
65 years and over: 4.8% (male 543,417/female 779,431) (2007 est.)

Median agetotal: 22.9 years
male: 22.3 years
female: 23.5 years (2007 est.)

Population growth rate1.732% (2007 est.)

Birth rate26.46 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Death rate7.73 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Net migration rate-1.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Sex ratioat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.039 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.979 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.697 male(s)/female
total population: 0.982 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

Infant mortality ratetotal: 68.89 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 73.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 64.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 64.98 years
male: 61.57 years
female: 68.56 years (2007 est.)

Total fertility rate2.88 children born/woman (2007 est.)

Hiv aids adult prevalence rateless than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Hiv aids people living with hiv aids11,000 (2003 est.)

Hiv aids deathsless than 500 (2003 est.)

Nationalitynoun: Uzbekistani
adjective: Uzbekistani

Ethnic groupsUzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.)

ReligionsMuslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%

LanguagesUzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%

Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.3%
male: 99.6%
female: 99% (2003 est.)

Government - Uzbekistan:
Country nameconventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan
conventional short form: Uzbekistan
local long form: Ozbekiston Respublikasi
local short form: Ozbekiston
former: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic

Government typerepublic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch

Capitalname: Tashkent (Toshkent)
geographic coordinates: 41 20 N, 69 18 E
time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (respublika), and 1 city** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati, Buxoro Viloyati, Fargona Viloyati, Jizzax Viloyati, Namangan Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi), Qoraqalpogiston Respublikasi* (Nukus), Samarqand Viloyati, Sirdaryo Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri**, Toshkent Viloyati, Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch)
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Independence1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holidayIndependence Day, 1 September (1991)

Constitutionadopted 8 December 1992

Legal systembased on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage18 years of age; universal

Executive branchchief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet)
head of government: Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYAYEV (since 11 December 2003)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term; previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutional amendment in 2002); election last held 9 January 2000 (next to be held in 2007); prime minister, ministers, and deputy ministers appointed by the president
election results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote - Islom KARIMOV 91.9%, Abdulkhafiz JALALOV 4.2%

Legislative branchbicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis consists of an upper house or Senate (100 seats; 84 members are elected by regional governing councils and 16 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) and a lower house or Legislative Chamber (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 26 December 2004 and 9 January 2005 (next to be held December 2009)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Legislative Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDPU 41, NDP 32, Fidokorlar 17, MTP 11, Adolat 9, unaffiliated 10
note: all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President KARIMOV

Judicial branchSupreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly)

Political parties and leadersAdolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party [Dilorom TASHMUHAMMEDOVA]; Democratic National Rebirth Party (Milly Tiklanish) or MTP [Hurshid DOSMUHAMMEDOV]; Fidokorlar National Democratic Party (Self-Sacrificers) [Ahtam TURSUNOV]; Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan or LDPU [Adham SHADMANOV; Peoples Democratic Party or NDP (formerly Communist Party) [Asliddin RUSTAMOV]

Political pressure groups and leadersAgrarian and Entrepreneurs Party [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Birlik (Unity) Movement [Abdurakhim POLAT, chairman]; Committee for the Protection of Human Rights [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party [Muhammad SOLIH, chairman] was banned 9 December 1992; Ezgulik Human Rights Society [Vasila INOYATOVA]; Free Farmers Party or Ozod Dehqonlar [Nigora KHIDOYATOVA]; Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan [Talib YAKUBOV, chairman]; Independent Human Rights Organization of Uzbekistan [Mikhail ARDZINOV, chairman]; Mazlum; Sunshine Coalition [Sanjar UMAROV, chairman]

International organization participationAsDB, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the uschief of mission: Ambassador Abdulaziz KAMILOV
chancery: 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 887-5300
FAX: [1] (202) 293-6804
consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the uschief of mission: Ambassador Jon PURNELL
embassy: 3 Moyqorqon, 5th Block, Yunusobod District, Tashkent 100093
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [998] (71) 120-5450
FAX: [998] (71) 120-6335

Flag descriptionthree equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and 12 white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant

Economy - Uzbekistan:
Economy overviewUzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11% consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than 60% of its population lives in densely populated rural communities. Uzbekistan is now the worlds second-largest cotton exporter and fifth largest producer; it relies heavily on cotton production as the major source of export earnings. Other major export earners include gold, natural gas, and oil. Following independence in September 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. While aware of the need to improve the investment climate, the government still sponsors measures that often increase, not decrease, its control over business decisions. A sharp increase in the inequality of income distribution has hurt the lower ranks of society since independence. In 2003, the government accepted Article VIII obligations under the IMF, providing for full currency convertibility. However, strict currency controls and tightening of borders have lessened the effects of convertibility and have also led to some shortages that have further stifled economic activity. The Central Bank often delays or restricts convertibility, especially for consumer goods. Potential investment by Russia and China in Uzbekistans gas and oil industry may boost growth prospects. In November 2005, Russian President Vladimir PUTIN and Uzbekistan President KARIMOV signed an alliance, which included provisions for economic and business cooperation. Russian businesses have shown increased interest in Uzbekistan, especially in mining, telecom, and oil and gas. In December 2005, the Russians opened a Trade House to support and develop Russian-Uzbek business and economic ties. In 2006, Uzbekistan took steps to rejoin the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Community (EurASEC), both organizations dominated by Russia. Uzbek authorities have accused US and other foreign companies operating in Uzbekistan of violating Uzbek tax laws and have frozen their assets. US firms have not made major investments in Uzbekistan in the last 5 years.

Gdp purchasing power parity $55.75 billion (2006 est.)

Gdp official exchange rate $10.83 billion (2006 est.)

Gdp real growth rate7.3% (2006 est.)

Gdp per capita ppp $2,000 (2006 est.)

Gdp composition by sectoragriculture: 31.1%
industry: 25.7%
services: 43.2% (2006 est.)

Labor force14.44 million (2006 est.)

Labor force by occupationagriculture: 44%
industry: 20%
services: 36% (1995)

Unemployment rate3% officially by the Ministry of Labor, plus another 20% underemployed (2006)

Population below poverty line33% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 22% (2000)

Distribution of family income gini index26.8 (2000)

Inflation rate consumer prices 7.6% officially, but 38% based on analysis of consumer prices (2006)

Budgetrevenues: $4.08 billion
expenditures: $4.24 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (FY07 est.)

Public debt29.7% of GDP (2006 est.)

Agriculture productscotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock

Industriestextiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, gold, petroleum, natural gas, chemicals

Industrial production growth rate10.8% (2006 est.)

Electricity production49 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity consumption47 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity exports6.8 billion kWh (2006)

Electricity imports10.5 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Oil production142,000 bbl/day (2004)

Oil consumption148,000 bbl/day (2004)

Oil exportsNA bbl/day

Oil importsNA

Oil proved reserves594 million bbl (1 January 2005)

Natural gas production62.5 billion cu m (2006 est.)

Natural gas consumption48.4 billion cu m (2006 est.)

Natural gas exports12.5 billion cu m (2006 est.)

Natural gas importsNA

Natural gas proved reserves1.875 trillion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)

Current account balance$1.41 billion (2006 est.)

Exports$5.51 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports commoditiescotton, gold, energy products, mineral fertilizers, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, textiles, food products, machinery, automobiles

Exports partnersRussia 23.9%, Poland 11.8%, China 10.5%, Turkey 7.5%, Kazakhstan 6%, Ukraine 4.7%, Bangladesh 4.4% (2006)

Imports$3.99 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports commoditiesmachinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, ferrous and non-ferrous metals

Imports partnersRussia 27.8%, South Korea 15.6%, China 10.4%, Kazakhstan 7.3%, Germany 7.1%, Ukraine 4.8%, Turkey 4.5% (2006)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$2.986 billion (2006 est.)

Debt external$4.713 billion (2006 est.)

Economic aid recipient$91.6 million from the US (2005)

Currency code Uzbekistani soum (UZS)

Exchange ratesUzbekistani soum per US dollar - 1,219.8 (2006), 1,020 (2005), 971.265 (2004), 771.029 (2003), 423.832 (2002)

Communications - Uzbekistan:
Fiscal yearcalendar year

Telephones main lines in use1.793 million (2005)

Telephones mobile cellular1.1 million (2005)

Telephone systemgeneral assessment: antiquated and inadequate; in serious need of modernization
domestic: the main line telecommunications system is dilapidated; the state-owned telecom company, Uzbektelecom, is using a US$110 million loan from the Japanese government to improve main line services; mobile services are growing swiftly, with the subscriber base doubling in 2005 to 1.1 million; there are 6 main cellular providers currently in operation
international: country code - 998; linked by landline or microwave radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; after the completion of the Uzbek link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable, Uzbekistan will be independent of Russian facilities for international communications (2006)

Radio broadcast stationsAM 4, FM 6, shortwave 3 (2006)

Television broadcast stations8 (includes 1 cable rebroadcaster in Tashkent; approximately 20 stations in regional capitals) (2006)

Internet country code.uz

Internet hosts9,058 (2006)

Internet users1.7 million (2006)

Transportation - Uzbekistan:
Airports61 (2006)

Airports with paved runwaystotal: 34
over 3,047 m: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 13
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 5 (2006)

Airports with unpaved runwaystotal: 27
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
under 914 m: 25 (2006)

Pipelinesgas 9,594 km; oil 868 km (2006)

Railwaystotal: 3,950 km
broad gauge: 3,950 km 1.520-m gauge (620 km electrified) (2006)

Roadwaystotal: 81,600 km
paved: 71,237 km
unpaved: 10,363 km (1999)

Waterways1,100 km (2006)

Ports and terminalsTermiz (Amu Darya)

Military - Uzbekistan:
Military branchesArmy, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard

Military service age and obligation18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)

Manpower available for military servicemales age 18-49: 6,340,220
females age 18-49: 6,432,072 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military servicemales age 18-49: 4,609,621
females age 18-49: 5,383,233 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annuallymales age 18-49: 324,722
females age 18-49: 317,062 (2005 est.)

Refugees and internally displaced personsrefugees (country of origin): 39,202 (Tajikistan)
IDPs: 3,400 (forced population transfers by government from villages near Tajikistan border) (2006)

Military expenditures percent of gdp2% (2005 est.)

Trafficking in personscurrent situation: Uzbekistan is a source and, to a lesser extent, a transit country for women trafficked to Asia and the Middle East for the purpose of sexual exploitation; women from other Central Asian countries and China are trafficked through Uzbekistan; men are trafficked for purposes of forced labor in the construction and agricultural industries to Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan; men and women are also trafficked within the country
tier rating: Tier 3 - Uzbekistan is placed on Tier 3 because it failed to fulfill commitments by the country to take additional steps during 2005, including the adoption of comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation, criminal code amendments to raise trafficking penalties, support to the countrys first trafficking shelter, and approval of a national action plan

Disputes internationalprolonged drought and cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2004; border delimitation of 130 km of border with Kyrgyzstan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas


This page was last updated on 16 September, 2007
Source: CIA >>>

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