Uzbekistan, a former Soviet Union state, shares borders with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. The country has a small Russian population, with Uzbek and Russian being the official languages. Uzbekistan has a stable population, but faces economic hardship and criticism for human rights violations. The country has friendly relations with the US but strained relations with some Western countries.
Uzbekistan, officially known as the Republic of Uzbekistan, was formerly part of the Soviet Union (USSR). Uzbekistan lies south of Russia, sharing borders with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. Uzbekistan has been inhabited since about 2000 BC, first by Iranians. It was invaded by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC, by the Mongols in the 13th century and by Uzbek tribes in the 16th century. Uzbeks are Turkic peoples.
Despite belonging to the Soviet Union for most of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Uzbekistan has never had a large Russian population within its borders. Currently, only 5.5% of Uzbekistan’s population is pure Russian. Most Russians who once lived in Uzbekistan left after the fall of the USSR.
The official language of Uzbekistan is Uzbek, although about half of the population is fluent in Russian. In fact, Russian is still used for most of the official activities, communication and economic and scientific research carried out by the country. Twenty percent of the population is Muslim, with very small percentages of other religions and demographic groups spread across the country. Uzbekistan has remained stable in population while other former Soviet countries, including Russia, have had problems with lower birth rates.
Despite Uzbekistan being one of the world’s largest producers of cotton and gold, the country is still enduring unemployment, poverty and economic hardship. Private enterprise is severely constrained, which puts a brake on the progress and development of the middle class as an independent force. Despite a dramatic reduction in inflation in recent years, Uzbekistan still has a long way to go before it can match the economic development of its foreign neighbors.
Uzbekistan has been criticized for violating human rights, but investigative organizations have proved little or nothing. Uzbekistan maintains friendly relations with the United States, despite the restrictions applied to the US military in the use of some bases on the border with Afghanistan. Uzbekistan has strained relations with some Western countries due to its resistance to allowing the European Union to enter its territory and investigate allegations of abuse and terrorism.
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