Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a Central Asian republic of the former USSR. Uzbekistan declared itself independent in 1991. Uzbekistan lies between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan and encompasses the southern half of the Aral Sea. The republic has many contrasting regions.

The Tien Shan region is mountainous, the Fergana region is irrigated and fertile, the Kyzlkum Desert is rich in oil and gas, the lower Amudar'ya river region is irrigated and has oasis settlements, and the Usturt Plateau is a stony desert. Uzbekistan is a major cotton producer, and Karakul lambs are reared for wool and meat. Its main industrial products are agricultural machinery, textiles and chemicals.

The capital city of Uzbekistan is Tashkent and the currency is the Rouble.