The Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tadjikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south. Population: 27.6 million; Capital: Tashkent; Area: 447,400 km2; Languages: Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tadjik 4.4%, other 7.1%; Ethnic groups: Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tadjik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5%; Religion: Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Russian Orthodox 9%, other 3%.
