Republic of Karakalpakstan

The Republic of Karakalpakstan lies in the north-west of the country and is the largest territory of Uzbekistan by area, occupying about 37 percent of the country’s area. It was formed in 1925 as an autonomous oblast, became an autonomous republic in 1932 and joined Uzbekistan in 1936; in the present Constitution it is a sovereign republic within Uzbekistan. Its population is about two million; Karakalpaks, Uzbeks, Kazakhs and members of other nationalities live there. Nukus has universities, a branch of the Academy of Sciences and research institutions. The base of the economy is the agro-industrial complex: irrigated farming in the Amu Darya delta demands much labour and money because dikes against flooding and drainage ditches are needed. Cotton and grain take most of the sown area; the delta is suited to alfalfa and rice, the republic is a major Central Asian area for alfalfa seed, and a large share of the country’s rice fields lies here. In livestock, karakul sheep graze on desert pastures all year and some desert farms also keep camels; waterfowl and silk farming (Turtkul and Amudarya districts) are developed too. Industry includes power, chemicals and gas chemistry, building materials, and light and food branches; large enterprises such as the Kungrad soda plant, the Ustyurt gas-chemical complex and the Takhiatash power station matter for the economy. The shrinking of the Aral Sea has had a severe effect on ecology, health and economy in the Aral region: Moynaq used to be a port city and is now far from the sea. A water desalination plant has been put into operation in Takhtakupyr district. Nukus is the republic’s capital: in 1939 the capital was moved there from Turtkul, and the city has printing, light and food industry, a university and a famous art museum. Takhiatash is a city of power engineers, and Beruni is an important industrial centre on the right bank of the Amu Darya.