Uzbekistan is a country of Central Asia, located north of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. With an area of 447,000 square kilometers (approximately the size of Spain or California), Uzbekistan stretches 1,425 km (885 mi) from west to east and 930 km (580 mi) from north to south. Bordering Turkmenistan to the southwest, Kazakhstan to the north, and Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to the south and east.
Uzbekistan is not only one of the larger Central Asian states but also the only Central Asian state to border all of the other four. Uzbekistan also shares a short border with Afghanistan to the south. As the Caspian Sea is an inland sea with no direct link to the oceans, Uzbekistan is one of only two “doubly landlocked” countries—countries completely surrounded by other landlocked countries. The other is Liechtenstein.
Nature of Uzbekistan today
In the north-eastern the republic borders with Kazakhstan, on the east and southeast – with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in the west – with Turkmenistan, in the south – with Afghanistan. The total length is 6,221 km of borders. Among them: the border with Kazakhstan is 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan – 1099 km, 1161 km with Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan -1621 -137 km, correspondently.
The territory of Uzbekistan is a peculiar combination of flat and steep terrain. The plains are located on the south-west and north-west and consist of Ustyurt, the Amu-Darya delta and the Kyzyl-Kum desert. In central and south-western part of the desert are quite large mountain hill. Mountains and foothills, occupying about a third of the republic, are in the east and south-east, where the interlock with the powerful mountain formations in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The highest point of the mountains of the republic is 4,643 m.
Between the mountains there are valleys and plains. The largest valley is Ferghana. It stretches over 370 km. Its width reaches 190 km.The valley is surrounded by mountains from three sides and only from the West it is open.
For the natural conditions of the republic is characterized by high seismicity, there are known facts, when the tremors reached eight or nine points. In particular, a destructive earthquakes took place in Tashkent on 26 April 1966.
The largest rivers of both Uzbekistan and throughout Central Asia are Amu-Darya and Syr-Darya. The total length of the Amu-Darya River is 1437 km, and Syr-Darya river – 2137 km. Syr-Darya, exceeding Amu-Darya by length, is less by water content.
Geography of Uzbekistan: general concepts
Geographically, Uzbekistan is located at about the same latitude as the Mediterranean states, such as Spain, Italy, and Greece. However, the weather conditions of Uzbekistan are significantly different from the conditions of these subtropical states. This is explained by the fact that the territory of Uzbek republic is considerably removed from warm oceans and seas, as it is located inside the Eurasian continent. From the south, high mountains prevent the penetration of moist and warm air masses from the Indian Ocean, but the way to the cold air flows is open from the north. In this regard, Uzbekistan has a special climate peculiar to the desert (summer is cloudless, with lots of sunny days, arid, hot, and winter is relatively cold).
Most of the border of Uzbekistan passes along the plains, comparatively less – along the adyrs and mountains. Our country borders on 5 countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. The whole length of the state frontiers is 6221 km.
Uzbekistan nature and geography
Geography of Uzbekistan is mainly represented by deserts and mountains, and, in some areas – by valleys and lowlands.
Approximately 80% of Uzbekistan is presented by a desert, namely, the Kyzylkum desert.
Mountains of the country are the foothills and lower mountains of the Tien-Shan system.
The highest point of Uzbekistan is the Mount Adelunga (4 301 meters).
Geographically the land of Uzbekistan is 448.9 thousand sq. km. In Central Asia in size of the territory, Uzbekistan is inferior to Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, but at the same time it occupies a large area compared to such European countries as Great Britain (2 times), Denmark (4 times), Switzerland (10 times) and Belgium (14 times).
However, despite its long form, the time of Uzbekistan is not scattered over several time zones. And it is +5 hours to Greenwich. And this is very convenient. Uzbekistan has quite rich climatic, land, water and some other natural resources, as well as a number of minerals.
Uzbekistan geography: relief and inland waters
On the territory of Uzbekistan there are also deserted plains, among which the extensive desert of Kyzylkum stands out. There are mountains with high-zonal landscapes, low elevations, and inland waters. The complexity of the terrain, the features of latitudinal and high-altitude location provide a significant diversity of the landscape appearance of the territory.
In general, Uzbekistan nature and geography has experienced a strong impact of human activity, and the share of cultural and transformed landscapes in Uzbekistan is particularly high.
The territory of diluvial Uzbekistan arose as a result of Paleozoic mountain formation (about 300 million years ago). It was then when the Turan plate and the land formed. Later for a long time this plate had been covered by the sea. Mountain systems were finally forming a phase of alpine orogenesis; the products of the destruction of the uplifting mountains were carried to the plains and layered over the marine deposits. The growth of the mountains contributed to the drought of the climate, and gradually huge deserts appeared. Wandering rivers and winds repeatedly deposited the superfluous loose strata. So the sands of the Karakum and Kyzylkum were formed. The water content of the rivers and the moistening of the territory also changed.
Only in places where the Paleozoic foundation appears above the late deposits (for example, in the Kyzylkum) the island mountains arose. Only the Tien Shan and Pamir-Alai became really high mountains.
Each major natural region of the Republic is distinguished by its combination of relief forms.
Uzbekistan lies in the Aral Sea basin. The area, occupied by rivers and lakes is 4.92%.
Total water resources are 50-60 cubic km. per year. Only 12.2 cubic km. are formed on the land, and the actual volume of water comes from outside – from the mountains. Therefore, the maximum flow of water in the rivers comes at the hottest time.
The largest rivers of the country are the Amu Darya and Syr Darya.
Flats in Uzbekistan do not participate in the creation of surface runoff, but they actively consume it. Here, the water coming from the mountains is being intensively disassembled for irrigation..
On the plains there are lakes and reservoirs: Sudoche, Arnasai, Chardara, Charvak, etc.
The nature of Uzbekistan geographically
The location of Uzbekistan in such a contradictory geographical environment served the fact that, going about the country, you can catch yourself thinking that you, while on the territory of one state, have visited several countries at once. So, for example, the western areas are more deserted, and are represented mainly by plains. And this makes Uzbekistan tours quite convenient and attractive. However, gradually approaching the eastern regions of the country, it becomes apparent how the landscape becomes more mountainous and sublime, and all this is crowned with snowy peaks of the Tien Shan.
Uzbekistan Rivers
Large rivers in Central Asia became a cradle of the ancient states – cities and civilizations were born and died on their banks. The main arteries were Amu Darya and Syr Darya, fed by hundreds of small rivers flowing down from the Tien Shan and Pamir mountain ranges. For millennia, they have been used for irrigation, fishing and shipping.
Amu Darya
The Amu Darya is the deepest river in Central Asia. Forming by the confluence of the Panj and Vakhsh, it rises in the territory of Tajikistan. Running 1400 km through the territories of Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, it flows into the Aral Sea.
The name of the Amu Darya comes from the words “Amu” (the name of the ancient city of Amul) and “darya” meaning “river”. However, in ancient times it was called the Vakhsh in honor of Zoroastrian goddess of water and fertility. Today Vakhsh is only the name of its tributary. Moreover, at various times this majestic river was called as Rakha, Arankha, Dzheykhun, Okuz, Oksho, while Greeks called it Oxus during the Asian campaign of Alexander the Great.
Large cities appeared and disappeared on its banks, because sometimes it changed its direction in the lowlands, or flooded the settlements. To date such cities as Termez, Turkmenabat, Urgench and Nukus are found near the river.
Historically, the Amu Darya was actively used for navigation, but today small ships can only be seen near Turkmenabat. The lower reaches are used for fishing, while the upper ones, located in the Tajik territory, are built up with dams to generate electricity. The Amu Darya is mostly used for irrigation, which is so intense that its water can hardly reach the drying Aral Sea.
Syr Darya
Syr Daya is the longest river of Central Asia. Its length is over 2200 km. It flows through the territories of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. Syr Darya has its rise near Namangan, the Fergana Valley, at the confluence of the Kyrgyz Naryn and Kara Darya rivers. Running near Kokand, it crosses a small territory of Tajikistan with ancient Khujand city located on its banks and then re-enters Uzbekistan, now southward of Tashkent. However, the major part of the riverbed runs through Kazakh steppes, where such cities as Kyzyl-Orda and Baikonur were built. Two thousand kilometers further to the north of Central Asia, the Syr Darya flows into the Small Aral.
In the middle and lower reaches, the Syr Darya is very wandering, and has many overflow lands and a channel, overgrown with reeds and tugai forests. These river overflows are generally used for agriculture to grow rice, gourds, and even to set up full-sized gardens. The Syr Darya delta is boggy, here and there forming small lakes.
In addition, the Syr Darya has a hydropower station and several reservoirs, the most famous among them are the Kairakkum and Chardarya reservoirs. An interesting fact is that during the flood of 1969 the Chardarya reservoir dam was not able to withstand such volume of water. So it was decided to divert the water to Arnasay lowland. This is how Lake Aydarkul was formed. In subsequent years, due to repeated floods, it reached its current volume, becoming the second largest lake in Uzbekistan.
For millennia, the Syr Darya was one of the factors for emergence of cities. In ancient records the river was mentioned under various names, often associated with these cities. However, ancient Greek authors called it Tanais, although the same name they gave to the Russian Don. It was also known as the Yaksart, translated as “pearl river”. The origin of the present river name still stirs up a dispute among the scholars; however, the most convincing version is that it originated from the name of the Turkic tribe Shir inhabiting the Syr Darya riversides at the time.
Zerafshan
The Zerafshan River, sometimes called Zarafshan, cannot compete with the Amu Darya and Syr Darya in terms of flow and length, but is no less important in the history of Central Asia. Rising in the depth of Zeravshan Mountains, it flows, one half of its length, in the territory of Tajikistan, gradually dissolving in the lands of Uzbekistan. From time immemorial, the river played even a more important role than the Amu Darya, whose tributary it was. Zarafshan is translated from Persian as “gold-bearing”. Ancient Greek historians called it Politimet, which can be translated as “multi-revered”, while Chinese travelers called it Nami which meant “noble, revered”.
Its banks are home to pearl-cities of Central Asia: Samarkand was founded on the Zerafshan River 2700 years ago, and Bukhara, in its downstream. The banks of Zarafshan are also known for an ancient encampment of the Neolithic era – Zamanbobo, and the ancient city of Sarazm, whose ruins are now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In addition, along the river there are also such cities as Pendjikent (Tajikistan), Navoi (Uzbekistan) and many small towns.
The river length is 877 km, and if the Zarafshan is fed by numerous tributaries in its streamhead, its lower reaches, in their turn, feed numerous channels, which take 85percent of water to irrigate 560,000 ha of lands. We can say that the Zarafshan “feeds” the multi-million population of Central Uzbekistan. Furthermore, Tajikistan plans to build several hydroelectric power plants on its banks. This river has a great value for people of the whole region.
Uzbekistan Mountains
Uzbekistan, located in the very heart of Asia, lies mostly on a plain, but gradually from west to east, the landscapes of this sunny country develop into mountain ranges of the Tien Shan and Pamir. The average height of Uzbek Mountains ranges from 2,000 m to 3,000 m, and if the small ridge of Sultan Uvais (Sultan Weese-Dag) in Karakalpakstan does not exceed the elevation point of 500 m, then the peaks of the Hissar ridge in Surkhan Darya exceed 4000 m, rising to the permanent snow zone.
Uzbek mountains are geologically rather old with mainly smooth slopes, but over millions of years numerous rivers, flowing down from the snowy peaks, washed out deep picturesque canyons, such as Gulkam, Langar, Kulasay and others in many places.
The regions of Uzbekistan are interconnected by multi-kilometer picturesque mountain roads and passes. The most famous mountain passes are Kamchik which connects Tashkent oasis and the Fergana Valley, and Tahtakaracha crossed by the shortest road between Samarkand and Shakhrisabz.
The wildlife of the Uzbek mountains is very diverse, its natural wealth is protected by numerous reserves. Among the largest animals, affecting the mountains, are the Tien Shan brown bear, wolf, snow leopard and ibex Arkhar. In addition to this, fauna of Uzbek Mountains is rich in marmots, wild boars, birds of prey; foxes and porcupines are also common. A chance to encounter these animals is hardly probable, only mountain eagles soaring over the slopes can come into view of the mountain tourist.
Uzbekistan Lakes
Uzbekistan having no access to the sea still has several large lakes, including the Aral Sea and Aydarkul in its territory. Besides, some rivers have artificial reservoirs; the most famous among them Charvak is a popular summer getaway for Tashkent residents. Along with them the whole system of Uzbek lakes also includes picturesque mountain lakes, many of which are located in hard-to-reach places.
Over the last half-century, the Aral Sea, fed by the Amu Darya and Syr Darya has been receiving much less water due to intensive irrigation and is now on the verge of extinction. The former lake bottom has already become the so-called Aralkum desert. Meanwhile Lake Aydakul, just the opposite, was formed as late as 1969, due to the abundance of water in the Syr Darya, which in its middle reaches threatened to destroy the Chardarya reservoir dam. At long last, the excess water was directed to Arnasay lowlands, which few years later was completely filled with water and turned into one of the most beautiful places on the edge of the Kyzyl Kum desert.
Uzbekistan Deserts
Over half of the Uzbek territory is covered by desert: the Kyzylkum, Ustyurt desert plateau and Aralkum formed on the former bottom of the Aral Sea. They are located in the country’s north-west, gradually descending from east to west. These vast lands are virtually uninhabited, small towns and cities can only be found in rare oases and on the banks of the Amu Darya River.
Kyzylkum
This is a huge desert in Central Uzbekistan, which stretches between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya on the territory of 300,000 m2. Its name is translated as “red sands”. The major part of the desert is occupied by sand massifs, with sand drifts ranging from 3 to 30 m in height. Along with sands, the sandstones, takyrs and even small ridges of residual mountains abundant with sharp rocks can be met there. The climate is sharply continental with unbearable heat in summer. However, sometimes it rains in spring and winter, and what is more some places have groundwater sources serving as cool oases for wildlife and humans.
The Kyzyl Kum nature is very diverse. It is home to the antelope-gazelle, jerboa, various kinds of ground squirrels, the tolai hare, wolf, corsac fox, lark, jay bird, bustard, steppe eagle, owls, snakes (including venomous viper), lizards, varans and even turtles. The desert flora is also rich: wild tulips can be found in spring, sand sedge is common for the sands, while sagebrush and other shrubs, for the clay ground; white and black saksaul can also be met there.
The Kuzylkum population is mainly engaged in karakul sheep breeding. Land reclamation is common for the outskirts, development of deposits of useful minerals, for the center of the desert, near Uchkuduk, where large deposits of uranium, gold and other natural resources were found. A hundred kilometers to the south from Bukhara there is Gazli, the town known for one of the largest gas fields in Central Asia.
Aralkum
This is a new desert in Uzbekistan, located in place of the former bottom of the Aral Sea. Because of the abundance of salt it is sometimes called Akkum, translated as “white desert”. The Aral Sea began drying in the 1960-s, today this process is still going on. To date, the new desert area is estimated to reach 38,000 m2 and its size gradually increases.
The plant community numbers only 300 species of shrubs and grass, while the wildlife is virtually absent. The reason for this is the huge amounts of salts, pesticides and toxic substances, brought by the waters of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya. Furthermore, regular dust storms raise fine particles of these substances and spread them over large distances – for example, some toxic substances from the Aralkum desert were found in Antarctica penguins’ blood, while dust particles, in Greenland and Norway.
However, the Aral Sea is known to begin drying out hundreds of thousands years ago and one beautiful day the Aralkum desert will disappear the same way as it once appeared.
Ustyurt
Ustyurt is a plateau in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, located between the Mangyshlak and the Gulf of Kara-Bogaz-Gol in the west, the Aral Sea and Amu Darya delta in the east. The Ustyurt Plateau is a clay and stony desert with the total area of about 200 000 km². Also, there are areas of sandy desert. Very often Ustyurt is called the boundary separating Europe from Asia. The Ustyurt Plateau occupies a huge area between the Aral and Caspian Seas, and has a characteristic feature: the escarpment, a steep inaccessible slope with the height of about 150 m (the East Escarpment facing towards the Aral Sea, reaches 190 m). According to scientists, Ustyurt is the bottom of a dried-up sea, which existed here in the early and middle Cenozoic Era (21 million years ago).
This is evidenced by shell traces in the limestone, as well as ferromanganese nodules like billiard balls scattered across the plateau. These balls were formed on the bottom of the sea, and then, as more resistant to weathering, they left on the surface while other limestone and dolomites were eroded by water. Flat desert terrain broken by chalk deposits in the form of rocks and random cracks looks like the Martian landscape of Hollywood films and it seems that by an incredible chance you explore a different, unknown planet.
The Ustyurt Plateau is especially beautiful during sunrises and sunsets. The chalk rocks are an impressive picture at sunrise and sunset, when the white rocks are painted in purple colors. At first sight you may overlok flora and fauna of the Ustyurt. Gradually, getting used to the unusual weather conditions, you can see colonies of gerbils, ground squirrels and jerboas. This area is inhabited by many birds of prey, vultures and eagles, who proudly sit on the rocks of escarpments. You can also meet the saiga, although it is doubtful whether you succeed to make a photo of these shy and very fast animals. But travelers can take a picture of Ustyurt argali in their natural habitat. The presence of wild horses in the Ustyurt is the most surprising. People say that in former times there were farms of Kazakh nomads, but the horses became wild, and settled down on the plateau, where live so far.
List of World Heritage sites in Uzbekistan
This is a list of World Heritage sites in Uzbekistan with properties of cultural and natural heritage in Uzbekistan as inscribed in UNESCO‘s World Heritage List or as on the country’s tentative list. As of 2016, five sites in Uzbekistan are included. In addition to its inscribed sites, Uzbekistan also lists thirty properties on its tentative list.
World Heritage sites
Site; named after the World Heritage Committee’s official designation
Location; at city, regional, or provincial level and geocoordinates
Criteria; as defined by the World Heritage Committee
Area; in hectares and acres. If available, the size of the buffer zone has been noted as well. A value of zero implies that no data has been published by UNESCO
Year; during which the site was inscribed to the World Heritage List
Description; brief information about the site, including reasons for qualifying as an endangered site, if applicable
UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is home to one natural and four cultural World Heritage Sites, one of which is endangered.
Itchan Kala, the first World Heritage Site inscribed in 1990
Uzbekistan was an important trade centre on the ancient Silk Route. The region grew to prominence under different dynasties and civilisations. Uzbekistan has medieval monuments strewn all over the country that attests to its medieval significance. Cultural tourism is the primary tourism in Uzbekistan. The country has been cashing in on its religious and cultural heritage. Uzbekistan is home to one natural and four cultural World Heritage Sites, one of which is endangered. These heritage sites include:
Itchan Kala
Itchan Kala was the first World Heritage Site inscribed in 1990. Itchan Kala is a walled city in Khiva and is the largest surviving wall city in the Central part of Asia. The City was traditionally known as Khorezm and was an important stop on the Silk Road. Its significance made it subject to different occupations. It was under the Timurid Empire that many of Khiva’s cities rose to prosperity. The city’s rulers, the Khans of Khiva, built the wall to keep off colonial threats. Itchan Kala was preserved by Russian colonial rulerd and is a cultural heritage in modern day Uzbekistan.
The city and the wall have been preserved as the State Historical Archaeological Museum. There are nearly 60 historic buildings preserved in the city including palaces, mosques, minarets and pillars. Itchan Kala and the greater city of Khiva is one of the most important tourism centres in the nation.
Historic Center Of Bukhara
Bukhara is a city museum in Uzbekistan and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. The city can be traced back to as early as the 6th century BC, rising to prominence to become a major trade and cultural centre on the Silk Road. The city was a Muslim centre, and there are numerous mosques and madrassas in the city that attest to its religious significance. There are nearly 150 historical monuments preserved in the city in a modern day Uzbekistan. Monuments include mosques, madrassas, mausoleums, and minarets. The city has increasingly become a tourist destination and has influenced the proliferation of bazaars, restaurants and hotel facilities in the city.
Historic Center of Shakhrisyabz
The Historic Center of Shakhrisyabz was listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Site in 2000. The monuments in the city were built during the Timurid Empire. The town was the birthplace of Amir Timur, who was a great leader of the Timurid Empire. He built the town in grandeur and elegant architecture and made it the second capital of his extensive empire. The town is home to the renowned Ak-Saray Palace, which was built as a massive and stylish complex of public and residential buildings. The decorations of the palace have been preserved although partly ruined over time.
Other monuments in the town include mausoleums, market centre, bathhouses, tombs, and mosques. The site has been included on the endangered list, because of over-development of tourist facilities in the area.
Samarkand
Samarkand has been on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. It thrived as an ancient city, and it is still important in modern Uzbekistan. The city was established in the 7th century and prospered under the Timurid dynasty. Samarkand was at the forefront of Islamic architecture, and its significance is witnessed in the old town. There are numerous mosques, madrassas and residential houses, lined on narrow streets and built in medieval Islamic fashion. The western part of the city is more modern, with architecture reflecting 19th and 20th European design and style, influenced through Russian colonisation. The city has often referred as a crossroad of cultures. Samarkand was also an important trade stop along the Silk Road.
Samarkand today is the third largest city in Uzbekistan. Monuments in the city such as mosques, madrassas, and mausoleums have been preserved and are major tourist attractions in the cauntry.
Western Tien-Shan Mountains
The newest addition to the list, the Western Tien-Shan Mountains was inscribed as a natural UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. The Tien-Shan ranges extend to different countries in Central Asia. The mountain range in Uzbekistan covers a total of 96,000 km2, nearly 21% of the nation’s territory. Around the mountains are numerous resorts, which offer tourist services such as skiing, rock climbing, sky surfing and sightseeing. The region has several archaeological and historical monuments as well. There are different reserves to protect the mountain’s wildlife such as the snow leopard, Tien Shan brown bear, and the wolf.
Uzbekistan, as a tourist destination, has not been as accessible as other top world destinations. This situation has caused the country to have a large untapped tourism potential. Efforts to boost tourism in the country have resulted in a surge in the number of tourists visiting the country. Prospects place Uzbekistan as an emerging tourist destination in the region of Central Asia.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Uzbekistan
| UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Uzbekistan | Year of Inscription |
| Itchan Kala | 1990 |
| Historic Center of Bukhara | 1993 |
| Historic Center of Shakhrisyabz | 2000 |
| Samarkand | 2001 |
| Western Tien-Shan Mountains | 2016 |
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