世界各国

Uzbekistan

Introduction to Uzbekistan

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.

Government

Capital:

Tashkent (Toshkent) 

Independence:

1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) 

National holiday:

Independence Day, 1 September (1991) 

Economy

Economy overview:

Uzbekistan 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 world's second-largest cotton exporter, a large producer of gold and oil, and a regionally significant producer of chemicals and machinery. Following independence in December 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. Uzbekistan responded to the negative external conditions generated by the Asian and Russian financial crises by emphasizing import substitute industrialization and by tightening export and currency controls within its already largely closed economy. The government, while aware of the need to improve the investment climate, sponsors measures that often increase, not decrease, the government's control over business decisions. A sharp increase in the inequality of income distribution has hurt the lower ranks of society since independence. 

GDP:

purchasing power parity - $43.99 billion (2004 est.) 

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 38%
industry: 26.3%
services: 35.7% (2003 est.)

Agriculture products:

cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock 

Industries:

textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, natural gas, chemicals

Transportation

Waterways:

1,100 km (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 9,012 km; oil 869 km; refined products 33 km (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Termiz (Amu Darya)

Airports:

247 (2003 est.)