Geography of Uzbekistan

North of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan is the Central Asian nation of Uzbekistan. It is mostly bounded by two significant rivers, the Syr Darya (the former Jaxartes River) to the northeast and the Amu Darya (the former Oxus River) to the southwest. Uzbekistan is surrounded by Turkmenistan to the southwest, Afghanistan to the south, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Kazakhstan to the northwest and north. The western third of the nation is where the autonomous republic of Qoraqalpoghiston (Karakalpakstan) is situated.

In Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan also has four tiny exclaves. In addition to being one of the bigger Central Asian countries, only Uzbekistan shares borders with the other four countries. Afghanistan and Uzbekistan also share a narrow border in the south. Uzbekistan is one of only two "doubly landlocked" nations, or those that are totally encircled by other landlocked nations, due to the Caspian Sea being an inland sea without a direct connection to the oceans. Liechtenstein is the other.

Physical Features

Uzbekistan is roughly the size of Spain or California at 447,000 square kilometers, and it extends 1,425 kilometers (885 miles) from west to east and 930 kilometers (580 miles) from north to south. Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan are its neighbours to the south and east, respectively. The sun-dried western portion of Uzbekistan, which makes up over four fifths of its total area, resembles a wasteland.

Around the Aral Sea in Karakalpakstan (Qoraqalpoghiston), the Turan Plain rises 200 to 300 feet (60 to 90 meters) above sea level. Further west, this topography transforms into the Ustyurt Plateau, an area of low ridges, salt marshes, sinkholes, and caverns, merging on the south with the Kyzylkum (Uzbek: Qizilqum) Desert. Small hills in the low-lying Kyzylkum Desert to the southeast of the Aral Sea break up its flatness, while far farther east, a network of mountain ridges divides Uzbekistan's land.

The Karzhantau, Ugam, and Pskem ranges, which make up the western Tien Shan, are home to the nation's highest point, Beshtor Peak, which rises 14,104 feet (4,299 meters) above sea level. The Chatkal and Kurama ranges are also a component of the western Tien Shan. South of the western Tien Shan is the Fergana (Farghona) Valley, which is spanned by the Gissar (Hissar) and Alay mountains.

Southwest of Tashkent, between the Turkestan, Malguzar, and Nuratau ranges to the south and the Tien Shan spurs to the north, is the Mirzachol desert. The Zeravshan Valley, which opens westward in south-central Uzbekistan, is graced by the cities of Samarkand (Samarqand) and Bukhara (Bukhoro).

Almost 80% of Uzbekistan's land is covered in a flat, arid desert, although there are also mountain peaks in the east that soar to a height of around 4,500 meters (14,800 feet) above sea level. The Tian Shan mountains, which are higher in neighboring Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and serve as a natural border between Central Asia and China, are present in the southeast of Uzbekistan.

The Fergana Valley, which spans an area of around 21,440 square kilometers (8,280 sq. mi) and is located directly east of the Qizilqum and bounded by mountain ranges to the north, south, and east, is the most fertile region of Uzbekistan. The substantial seismic activity that permeates much of Uzbekistan is another prominent aspect of the country's physical landscape.

Climate

The area is characterized by severe aridity and abundant sunshine, with an annual rainfall average of only 8 inches (200 mm). Rainfall is most in the highlands and least over deserts throughout the winter and spring. The average July temperature is 90 °F (32 °C), however in Tashkent and other places, afternoon air temperatures regularly exceed 104 °F (40 °C). The lower summertime temperatures in the mountains contrast with the intense summer heat in Bukhara.

Uzbeks prefer residences with windows facing away from the sun yet open to porches and tree-filled courtyards closed off from the streets in order to meet these patterns. Although Uzbekistan has more than 600 streams, the climate has a significant impact on drainage because river water quickly evaporates and filters out, or runs off into irrigation systems.

Flora and Fauna

Altitude has a big impact on Uzbekistan's vegetation patterns. A thin natural layer of desert sedge and grass covers the lowlands in the west. In the east's high foothills, there is grass, and the hills are covered in trees and bushes. Less than 8% of Uzbekistan is covered with forests.

Rodents, foxes, wolves, and occasionally gazelles and antelopes are among the animals that inhabit the deserts and plains. The high mountains are home to boars, roe deer, bears, wolves, Siberian goats, and some lynx.

Drainage

Rapid change in the Aral Sea and significant changes to the Amu Darya delta have been caused by the disastrous reduction of the flow of the two historic rivers, the Syr Darya and Amu Darya. The Aral Sea, once the fourth-largest inland body of water in the world, has lost up to nine-tenths of both its water (volume) and its surface area since 1961, and the majority of the streams in the delta have dried up. Huge shallow and dead ponds have been cut off from the main Aral Sea remnant in the north and east by sandbars that appeared as the water level decreased by about 45 feet between 1961 and 1992.

Following 2010, the eastern lobe started to alternate between wet and dry seasons, during which it would totally dry up. This perilous decrease was caused by excessive water use from the Syr and Amu Daryas in both agriculture and industry. By around 1978, the Syr Darya stopped supplying the Aral Sea with a significant amount of water, and by the first decade of the twenty-first century, flows from the Amu Darya had almost completely disappeared.

The Surkhan and Sherabad, followed by the Zeravshan and Kashka, are southern Amu Darya tributaries that provide minimal flow because the latter two drop into nothing in the desert. There, the Naryn and Qoradaryo rivers merge to form the Syr Darya, Uzbekistan's second-largest river.

The Amu and Syr Daryas' diverted course has severely salinized the sea, which over the past few decades has also been severely contaminated by insecticides and chemical fertilizers. The once-thriving fishing sector has been destroyed by chemical pollution and water level drop, which has also stranded the majority of the ships that used to operate along the Aral Sea's beaches and poisoned large regions ashore with deadly salt dust. In turn, this has tainted produce and water supplies, thus harming human health and way of life in the area surrounding the littoral of the Aral Sea.

Conclusion

The geographical features of Uzbekistan are strikingly diverse, ranging from its scorching deserts to its rich valleys and soaring mountain ranges. The nation's battle with the Aral Sea's environmental disaster serves as a harsh reminder of how human activities affect the ecology. Despite these difficulties, Uzbekistan's rich, altitude- and climate-influenced flora and fauna illustrate its inherent resiliency.

The nation's unusual geographical situation as a double landlocked country is highlighted. The geography and climate of Uzbekistan have influenced its history and culture, weaving a rich tapestry of connections between people and the environment. Geographical isolation and the nation's double landlocked status have shaped its history and culture, giving it a distinct identity in the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the geographical location of Uzbekistan?

Uzbekistan is situated in Central Asia.

What is the capital of Uzbekistan?

Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan.

How does Uzbekistan's altitude affect its vegetation?

Uzbekistan's lowlands feature desert vegetation, while high foothills have grass and trees, impacting the flora and fauna distribution.

Why is Uzbekistan termed "doubly landlocked"?

Uzbekistan is completely surrounded by landlocked countries and lacks direct ocean access, that’s why Uzbekistan is termed "doubly landlocked".