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Uzbekistan
Historical Background
Uzbekistan, the most populous and arguably the most powerful
state in Central Asia, has a long and magnificent history. Located
between two rivers--the Amu Darya to the north and the Syrdariya
to the south--the region that is modern Uzbekistan has been one
of the cradles of world civilization. Some of the world's oldest
sedentary populations and several of its most ancient cities are
located here. Beginning at the height of the Roman Empire, the
region was a crossroads on the transcontinental trade routes between
China and the West. Subject to constant invasion and to in-migration
of nomads from the great grasslands to the north, Uzbekistan became
a region of legendary conquests where various peoples with different
traditions have consistently had to live together.
Data as of March 1996
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