Uzbekistan: Geographical and Natural Resource Overview

• Location: Uzbekistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, lying mainly between two major rivers. the Syr Darya to the northeast and the Amu Darya to the southwest. 
• Double Landlocked Nation: It is one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world, with Liechtenstein as the other.
• Its coordinates place it in the Northern and Eastern hemispheres of the Earth.
• Neighbouring Countries: Uzbekistan shares borders with five countries:
  • Kazakhstan to the north and northwest
  • Kyrgyzstan to the northeast
  • Tajikistan to the southeast
  • Afghanistan to the south
  • Turkmenistan to the southwest
• Geographical Features: The country’s topography is dominated by approximately 80% sandy desert, primarily the Kyzyl Kum Desert, along with vast lowlands in the west. 
• The southeastern and northeastern regions have foothills and lower mountains belonging to the Tian Shan range, an extension of the Himalayas. 
• Highest Point: The highest peak, Adelunga Toghi (4,301 m), is situated in the northeast. 
• The Fergana Valley, between mountain ranges, is considered to have the best agricultural land and climate in Central Asia.

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• Rivers and Lakes:
  • Amu Darya and Syr Darya are Uzbekistan’s major rivers.
  • The Aral Sea, shared with Kazakhstan, is severely diminished due to water mismanagement, representing one of the world’s greatest environmental crises.
  • Key lakes include Lake Aydarkul and Lake Sarykamish.
• Vegetation: The dominant vegetation is desert scrub due to the arid landscape. However, fertile regions like the Fergana Valley support intensive agriculture.
• Natural Resources: Uzbekistan’s natural resources include substantial reserves of natural gas, petroleum, coal, and mineral deposits such as gold, uranium, and copper.
  • It has the Fourth Largest Gold Reserve in the world.