Major Rivers Of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan, officially known as the Republic of Uzbekistan, is a country located in Central Asia with an approximate area of 172,700 square miles and a population of 31 million. It consists of twelve provinces, Tashkent province being home to Tashkent city, the country’s capital, as well as largest urban center. It is a doubly landlocked country, meaning it shares its borders with five countries who are also landlocked (Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan). Uzbekistan was conquered by eastern Turkic-speaking nomads in the 16th century but was gradually incorporated into the Russian empire in the 19th century. It became a republic of the Soviet Union in 1924, until 1990 when state sovereignty was declared. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union Uzbekistan gained its independence and was renamed the Republic of Uzbekistan on August 31, 1991.

Major Rivers Of Uzbekistan

Syr Darya River

The Syr Darya river is situated in central Asia with a length of 1,374 miles. It passes through Kyrgzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. It is an important feature in central Asia as as it serves as water for irrigation, particularly with growing cotton and rice. The expansion of canals has ecologically damaged the river, causing it to no longer reach the Aral Sea.

Amu Darya River

Amu Darya River, also known as Amu River, is a major river in Central Asia formed by the merging of the Vakhsh and Panj rivers in Afghanistan. The river is 1500 miles long and has been historically known to be the boundary between Greater Iran and Turan. The river passes through Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It forms the border between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan for approximately 120 miles and the border of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan for another 62 miles.

Zarafshan River

Zarafshan River, formerly known as Sughd River, is named after the gold-bearing sand found in the upper reaches of the river (its name translates from Persian as "spreader of gold"). It originates from Tajikistan, passes through Penjikent and finally Uzbekistan, its trail ending in a desert beyond Karakul.

Naryn River

The Naryn River is 501 miles long and flows through two counties in Central Asia. It originates from Kyrgyzstan and flows through to Uzbekistan before merging with the Kara Darya River to form Syr Darya River. Several reservoirs have been established along the river where hydroelectric power stations have been established for the generation of electricity.

Angren River

Angren River, also known as Achangaran River, is a river in Uzbekistan, Central Asia. It is 139 miles long and flows through Angren town near Tashkent city, Uzbekistan’s capital city. It is a tributary of the Syr Darya river.

Threats facing major rivers of Uzbekistan

Historical records indicate that Amu Darya River formerly flowed to both the Aral Sea and the Caspian Sea but due to irrigation activities on the river, the Aral Sea is constantly shrinking and is at risk of drying up. The existence of the Aral Sea is is under threat as major rivers flowing to the sea are used for irrigation and production of electricity.