Uzbekistan's geopolitical position

Uzbekistan lies inside Eurasia, in the middle of Central Asia; it was admitted to the UN on 2 March 1992. Its territory stretches about 1425 km from west to east and about 930 km from north to south. The highest point is Hazrat Sultan peak (4643 m) and the lowest is the Mingbulak depression (−12 m). It borders five states: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan; the longest border is with Kazakhstan. Its economic-geographic position is assessed on three levels. Micro level (near neighbours): favourable, because it borders all the states of the subregion and has road, rail and pipeline links with them. Meso level (nearby regions): moderate, because links with Russia, the Caucasus, Iran and Afghanistan vary in strength. Macro level (the whole world): relatively unfavourable, because reaching the ocean or open sea requires crossing at least two states. In political-geographic terms it lies near the junction of the Heartland (the inner part of Eurasia) and the Rimland (its coastal arc), as set out in classical theories; this draws the interest of large states. Border questions (exclaves, delimitation) have in recent years been largely settled by treaties. Uzbekistan follows a policy of cooperation with many partners, working with the UN, the CIS, the SCO and other organisations; developing transport corridors strengthens its transit potential.