Zarafshan economic region and Samarkand region

Samarkand region lies in the central part of the country, in the middle Zarafshan valley, ringed on three sides by the Nurata, Turkestan and Zarafshan ranges; the mountains partly block cold air from the north. Precipitation is relatively high (250–800 mm) and there are almost no saline lands. The Zarafshan, fed by ice and snow, runs full in summer when irrigation needs are greatest; almost all its water is used in the economy, the Kattakurgan reservoir regulates it, and through the Eski Anhor water also reaches Kashkadarya region. The population is very dense in the valley (250 or more people per sq km) and sparse in the foothills and mountains. The region is among the leaders in population and industry; machine building (the car plant at Samarkand), non-ferrous metallurgy, chemicals, light and food industries are developed. Agriculture includes cotton, grain, fruit, grapes, tobacco (Urgut), silk farming, cattle and karakul sheep. Two railways cross the territory, and many roads and an airport make up a transport hub. Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history of about 2750 years; it was an important trading centre on the Silk Road and became a centre of learning and architecture under Amir Temur and the Timurids (14th–15th centuries). In 1924–1930 it was the capital of Uzbekistan. Today it is a large centre of industry, universities and culture and one of the main tourism destinations; Kattakurgan is the region’s second industrial node.