447,400 sq km (172,740 sq miles).

23,667,000 (1997).

52.8 per sq km.

Tashkent.

2,126,000 (1992).

Uzbekistan is bordered by Afghanistan to the south, Turkmenistan to the west, Kazakhstan to the north, Kyrgyzstan to the northeast and Tajikistan to the east and has a colourful and varied countryside. The south and east are dominated by the Tien-Shan and Pamir-Alai mountain ranges and the Kyzyl Kum desert lies to the northeast. The northwestern autonomous region of Karakalpakstan is bounded by the Aral Sea and the sparsely populated Ustyurt Plateau with its vast cotton fields.

Republic. Declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Head of State: President Islam Karimov since 1990. Head of Government: Prime Minister Utkir Sultanov since 1995.

The official language is Uzbek, a Turkic tongue closely related to Kazakh and Kyrgyz. There is a small Russian-speaking minority. Many people involved with tourism speak English. The Government has stated its intention to change the Cyrillic script to the Latin.

Predominantly Sunni Muslim, with Shia (15%), Russian Orthodox and Jewish minorities.

GMT + 5.

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round 2-pin continental plugs are standard.