Uzbekistan Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Uzbekistan?

Overview

Located between the Amu Darya (Oxus) and Syr‑Darya (Jaxarteo) Rivers, Uzbekistan lies at the heart of central Asia. Along its borders are Afghanistan to the south, Turkmenistan to the west and south, Kazakhstan to the north, and Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to the east. Aside from Liechtenstein, Uzbekistan is the world’s only other doubly landlocked country. Covering an area of 500,000 square kilometers, Uzbekistan is roughly the size of California. Most of the country is desert (the Kyzylkum and the Karakum) or irrigated steppe, but it has rugged mountains in the east (a branch of the Tien Shan range), as well as semi‑arid grassland. Only nine percent of Uzbekistan’s land is arable.

Geography - note

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

Climate

The area has a severe continental climate that is dry and hot in summer and cool and wet in winter. In the long summer, daytime temperatures often reach or surpass 40°C (104°F), but humidity is low. During the short winter, daytime temperatures usually stay above freezing, but can dip well below, and snow is not unusual. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons.

Uzbekistan Use of Natural Resources

Uzbekistan Environment

Climate:

Terrain:

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

Natural Resources:

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

Natural Hazards:

Irrigated Land:

16,208 Square Miles
41,980 Square Kilometers

Environmental Issues:

shrinkage 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 Agreements:

party 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

Uzbekistan Geography

Geographic Location	Asia
Total Area	172,741 Square Miles 447,400 Square Kilometers
Land Area	164,247 Square Miles 425,400 Square Kilometers
Water Area	8,494 Square Miles 22,000 Square Kilometers
Land Boundaries	3,866 Miles 6,221 Kilometers
Irrigated Land	16,208 Square Miles 41,980 Square Kilometers
Border Countries	Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km
Geographic Coordinates	41 00 N, 64 00 E
Terrain	mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along the course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in the east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea.
Highest Point	4,301 Meters
Highest Point Location	Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m
Lowest Point	-12 Meters
Lowest Point Location	Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m
Natural Resources	natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum
Time Zone	UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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