GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN. ADMINISTRATIVE AND TERRITORIAL DESIGN OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN
Abstract
This article examines the geographical position, climate, population characteristics, and the administrative–territorial structure of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The study highlights Uzbekistan’s strategically significant location in Central Asia, its diverse climatic conditions, and complex territorial composition shaped by historical, economic, and demographic factors. Particular attention is given to the constitutional foundations of territorial organization, including the roles of regions, districts, cities, towns, villages, and the autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan. The analysis also outlines the hierarchical classification of urban settlements, the functions of administrative units, and the legal procedures governing the establishment or modification of territorial boundaries. Overall, the research demonstrates that Uzbekistan’s administrative–territorial system forms an essential framework for balanced socio-economic development, effective governance, and regional integration.
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newjournal.org zenodo.org 1 GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN. ADMINISTRATIVE AND TERRITORIAL DESIGN OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN Jizzakh branch of the National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek The Faculty of Psychology, the department of Foreign language Philology and teaching languages Teshaboyeva Nafisa Zubaydulla qizi [email protected] Student of group 204-24:Raximova Kamola Faxriddinovna kamolaraxim[email protected] Annotation: This article examines the geographical position, climate, population characteristics, and the administrative–territorial structure of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The study highlights Uzbekistan’s strategically significant location in Central Asia, its diverse climatic conditions, and complex territorial composition shaped by historical, economic, and demographic factors. Particular attention is given to the constitutional foundations of territorial organization, including the roles of regions, districts, cities, towns, villages, and the autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan. The analysis also outlines the hierarchical classification of urban settlements, the functions of administrative units, and the legal procedures governing the establishment or modification of territorial boundaries. Overall, the research demonstrates that Uzbekistan’s administrative–territorial system forms an essential framework for balanced socio-economic development, effective governance, and regional integration.
newjournal.org zenodo.org 2 KEY WORDS: Uzbekistan, geographical position, climate, population, administrative-territorial structure, regions, districts, cities, Karakalpakstan, constitutional framework, territorial governance, socio-economic development, regional integration. The Republic of Uzbekistan occupies a strategically pivotal position in the heart of Central Asia, serving as a crucial crossroads for regional economic, cultural, and geopolitical interactions. Its landlocked yet central geographical location has historically facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and civilizations, while in the modern era it continues to influence the nation’s socio-economic dynamics, transport connectivity, and foreign policy orientations. Diverse climatic conditions, distinctive relief forms, and significant natural resources further underscore the country’s geographical importance. Uzbekistan’s administrative and territorial structure constitutes a fundamental component of its governance framework. The nation is organized into a system of regions, districts, and cities that ensures efficient public administration, balanced regional development, and the effective implementation of national strategies at the local level. This multilevel structure enables the government to coordinate economic planning, manage demographic processes, and maintain social stability across all territories. Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia, located north of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. With an area of approximately 448,900 square kilometers, Uzbekistan stretches 1,425 km (885 mi) from west to east and 930 km (580 mi) from north to south. This vast territory places the country among the largest states in the region in terms of land area, giving it a significant degree of geographical diversity, ranging from deserts and semi-deserts to mountainous zones and fertile river valleys. It borders Turkmenistan to the southwest, Kazakhstan to the north, and Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to the south and east, which positions Uzbekistan at the intersection of major historical and contemporary trade routes. Such a location has long contributed to
newjournal.org zenodo.org 3 its strategic importance, facilitating economic exchange, cultural interaction, and regional connectivity throughout history. Uzbekistan also has four small exclaves in Kyrgyzstan, which reflect the complex territorial arrangements inherited from the Soviet period. These exclaves, although small in size, create unique administrative and logistical conditions and highlight the intricate ethnic and geographical landscape of the Fergana Valley, one of the most densely populated and historically rich regions of Central Asia. The administrative-territorial organization of the Republic of Uzbekistan constitutes a sophisticated and systematically structured framework designed to facilitate effective state governance, economic development, and the orderly management of social life. This framework not only delineates territorial boundaries but also encompasses the distribution of authority among local governmental bodies, population settlement patterns, allocation of productive resources, and the development of infrastructure and transport-logistics systems. Territorial subdivisions thus serve as a fundamental instrument for ensuring balanced socio-economic progress across the nation. Chapter 16 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan is dedicated to the administrativeterritorial structure. According to Article 83: “The Republic of Uzbekistan consists of regions, districts, cities, towns, villages, settlements, as well as the Republic of Karakalpakstan.” This provision clearly defines the constitutional status of each territorial unit, as well as its role and functions within the framework of state governance. At present, the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan comprises the following administrative units: 1 autonomous republic — the Republic of Karakalpakstan; 12 regions — Andijan, Bukhara, Fergana, Jizzakh, Namangan, Navoi, Kashkadarya, Samarkand, Surkhandarya, Sirdarya, Tashkent Region, and Khorezm;
newjournal.org zenodo.org 4 1 city under republican jurisdiction — the city of Tashkent; Over 200 cities, including those under regional, district, and Karakalpakstan jurisdiction; More than 175 districts; Thousands of towns, villages, and settlements. Uzbekistan is a unitary state, meaning that its territorial units do not possess sovereign statehood and are governed centrally by a unified national government. However, the Republic of Karakalpakstan is recognized as an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan and maintains its own parliament (the Supreme Council, or Jo‘qorg‘i Kengesi) along with certain constitutionally defined powers. The administrative-territorial division of Uzbekistan is structured according to the country’s geographical location, the distribution of natural resources, population density, and economic potential. Regions constitute the largest administrative units, encompassing districts, cities, and subordinate entities. Districts function as intermediate administrative units, overseeing a wide array of local activities, including agriculture, industrial operations, public services, and social infrastructure. Cities in the country are classified into three categories: cities under republican jurisdiction, cities under the jurisdiction of regions and the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and cities under district jurisdiction. Their classification is determined based on population size, economic capacity, and administrative significance. The principal city under republican jurisdiction — Tashkent — stands out due to its high population density, advanced industrial and service sectors, and its pivotal role in regional governance. Towns, villages, and settlements represent the lowest tier of the administrativeterritorial system. They are often established in proximity to industrial enterprises, construction sites, transportation hubs, water resources, or other strategically important facilities. These areas encapsulate the daily socio-economic life of the population, local production systems, and traditional forms of economic activity. Modifications to the territorial structure are carried out in accordance with constitutional procedures.
newjournal.org zenodo.org 5 The establishment of new regions, districts, or cities, their dissolution, or the alteration of their boundaries can only be implemented with the approval of the Oliy Majlis (Supreme Assembly) of the Republic of Uzbekistan. This principle ensures the balanced and systematic development of territorial governance and helps maintain equity among different regions. The Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan, adopted on August 30, 1996, “On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Naming of Toponymic Objects, and the Procedure for Amending Their Names”, regulates the formation, designation, and relocation of administrative centers of these territorial units based on strict legal norms. This legislation solidifies the legal foundations of the country’s territorial policy and guarantees the stability of the state governance system. CONCLUSION: In summary, the administrative–territorial structure of Uzbekistan represents a coherent and well-designed system aimed at ensuring the country’s sustainable development. The clear hierarchical classification of territorial units — regions, districts, and cities — enables efficient management of economic potential, improves the delivery of public services, and strengthens interregional equity. The fact that this structure is shaped within a strict constitutional framework, where the creation, abolition, or modification of territorial units is permitted only with the approval of the Oliy Majlis, constitutes an essential democratic mechanism that safeguards the stability of public administration. The special law adopted in 1996 further regulates administrative–territorial formation and toponymic processes on the basis of precise legal criteria, thereby contributing to the institutional consolidation of territorial policy. These legal foundations not only ensure consistency in governance, but also play a significant functional role in territorial identification, infrastructural planning, and economic regionalization Consequently, Uzbekistan’s current administrative–territorial structure serves as one of the key strategic instruments for mobilizing the socio-economic potential of regions
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