ABSTRACT
The Republic of Uzbekistan, in Central Asia, is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Kyrgyzstan to the northeast, Tajikistan to the southeast, Afghanistan to the south, and Turkmenistan to the southwest. A former Soviet republic, Uzbekistan is known for its mosques, mausoleums, and other sites linked to the Silk Road, the ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean. Its capital is Tashkent. Though there are recognized regional languages such as Karakalpak, the official language is Uzbek. Uzbekistan’s population of 30.8 million people is 50 percent urban and 50 percent rural. Islam is the predominant religion; 92 percent of the population is Muslim. Uzbekistan is a significant producer of gold and has the largest open-pit gold mine in the world, in addition to substantial deposits of silver, strategic minerals, gas, and oil.
