Uzbekistan's area accounts for only 11% of Central Asia, so why does its population make up half of the region's total?

Uzbekistan is one of the only two double-landlocked countries in the world, the other being Liechtenstein in Europe.

A double-landlocked country is one that is not only landlocked itself but is also surrounded entirely by other landlocked countries.

Although this geographic feature has somewhat limited Uzbekistan's development, its population is the largest among the five Central Asian countries, about 33 million, which accounts for 45% of the total population of Central Asia, almost half.

However, Uzbekistan's land area only makes up 11% of Central Asia, about 450,000 square kilometers.

Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is the most populous city in Central Asia, with about 2.5 million residents.

Additionally, the Ferghana Valley, where Tashkent is located, is the most densely populated area in Central Asia.

Despite Kazakhstan's land area accounting for 68% of Central Asia, totaling 2.72 million square kilometers, its population is only 18 million, much less than Uzbekistan's.

How does Uzbekistan support the largest population in Central Asia on relatively small land?

About 80% of Uzbekistan's territory is plains. Although these plains are primarily barren deserts unsuitable for habitation, the eastern Ferghana Valley is an exception.

This basin, located at the junction of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, is a triangular valley about 300 kilometers long and 70 kilometers wide.

It is surrounded by mountains covered with snow year-round, and the valley contains rivers formed by melting snow, which converge to form the Syr Darya, the longest river in Central Asia.

This river not only provides irrigation for agriculture but also a water source for population growth.

The main part of the Ferghana Valley lies within Uzbekistan.

Furthermore, Uzbekistan's western region near the Turkmenistan border features another important river, the Amu Darya.

This river is one of Central Asia's most water-abundant rivers, forming a delta before eventually flowing into the Aral Sea.

Central Asia is characterized by its arid climate, so places with ample water sources can develop agricultural civilizations, providing conditions for population growth.

The Ferghana Valley and the Amu Darya basin are the best natural areas in Central Asia. In contrast, other parts of Central Asia are filled with deserts, mountains, and arid steppes, which are not conducive to large-scale settlement.

In the 13th century, Uzbeks were typical nomadic people, but after entering the Ferghana Valley, they gradually turned to farming.

The Ferghana Valley and the Amu Darya basin have been densely populated and agriculturally advanced oases since ancient times.

As Uzbeks continued to migrate, local pastures decreased, forests were destroyed, and some Uzbek tribes began to learn intensive farming techniques, gradually transitioning from nomadism to settlement.

By the late 17th century, most Uzbeks had shifted to farming.

In addition to farming, Uzbeks also developed a tradition of commerce.

The Amu Darya basin is located at a key point in Eurasian transportation and has had a trading tradition since ancient times.

After entering this area, Uzbeks developed commercial habits, with their trade networks extending across Central Asia and surrounding regions.

From the 16th to the 19th century, Uzbeks established dominance in southern Central Asia, gradually transitioning from nomadism to settled farming and establishing the three major khanates of Khiva, Bukhara, and Kokand.

The prosperity during these khanate periods created conditions for population growth.

In the 19th century, with the Russian Empire's southward invasion and annexation of Central Asia, the industrialization process began, gradually transforming Uzbekistan from an agricultural society to an industrial one.

After establishing control, Russia actively promoted land nationalization policies and encouraged migration to Central Asia.

The influx of many migrants stimulated local social and economic development and increased the local population.

During the Soviet period, Uzbekistan received substantial development funding from the Soviet central government, especially during World War II, when many industrial enterprises and skilled workers were relocated to the Central Asian rear, greatly benefiting Uzbekistan.

By the time of the Soviet Union's dissolution, Uzbekistan had developed a relatively complete economic system, with advancements in metallurgy, oil and gas, and machinery manufacturing.

Uzbekistan is known as the "land of white gold" because of its abundant cotton production.

The climate of Central Asia is suitable for cotton growth, and the cotton industry in Uzbekistan developed rapidly, making it an important agricultural base for the Soviet Union.

Uzbekistan's population growth is not only due to agricultural and economic development but also to Islamic traditions of having many children and the Soviet Union's pro-natalist policies.

In 1939, Uzbekistan's population was about 4.08 million. By 1989, this number had increased to 14.14 million.

In comparison, other Central Asian countries have clear developmental disadvantages.

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are mountainous, making large-scale development difficult.

Most of Turkmenistan is desert, and Kazakhstan has a cold climate with limited habitable land.

These factors have capped the population potential of these countries.

While Kazakhstan's population once led during the Soviet period, Uzbekistan surpassed it in 1976, maintaining a high growth rate.

After the Soviet Union collapsed, many Russian immigrants left Kazakhstan, causing its population growth to stagnate, while Uzbekistan continued to grow rapidly, reaching 33 million by 2018, making it the most populous country in Central Asia.