| Republic of Karakalpakstan Qaraqalpaqstan Respublikası Қарақалпақстан Республикасы Qoraqalpog‘iston Respublikasi Қоракалпоғистон Республикаси | ||||
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 Political map of Karakalpakstan | ||||
 Location of Karakalpakstan (coloured purple) with surrounding countries | ||||
| Capital | Nukus | |||
| Official language(s) | Karakalpak, Uzbek | |||
| Demonym | Karakalpak | |||
| Government | Autonomous republic of Uzbekistan | |||
| - | President of the republic | Musa Erniyazov | ||
| Area | ||||
| - | Total | 160,000 km2 61,800 sq mi | ||
| Population | ||||
| - | 2007 estimate | 1,571,800 | ||
| - | Density | 7.5/km2 19.4/sq mi | ||
| Currency | Som (UZS) | |||
Karakalpakstan (Karakalpak: Qaraqalpaqstan Respublikası or Қарақалпақстан Республикасы; Uzbek: Qoraqalpog‘iston Respublikasi or Қоракалпоғистон Республикаси) is an autonomous republic of Uzbekistan. It occupies the whole western end of Uzbekistan. The capital is Nukus (Karakalpak: No'kis or Нөкис). The Republic of Karakalpakstan has an area of 160,000 square kilometers (61,776 sq mi). Its territory covers the classical land of Khwarezm, though in classical Persian literature the area was known as "Kāth".
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[edit] Demographics
The population of Karakalpakstan is estimated at 1,200,000, of whom 500,000 are of the Karakalpak ethnic group, 400,000 are Uzbek and 300,000 are Kazakh. The Karakalpak were formerly nomadic herders and fishers, and were first mentioned in the 16th century. Their name means "Black Hat", but Karakalpak culture was so lost through Sovietization that the original meaning of the black hat is now unknown. The Karakalpak language is considered closer to Kazakh than to Uzbek. Indeed there are accusations that the ethnic group was an invention of the Soviet government to divide the Kazakh population. The language was written in a modified Cyrillic in Soviet times and in the Latin alphabet since 1996.
Other than the capital Nukus, large cities include Xojeli (Uzbek: Xo'jayli; Russian: Ходжейли), Shimbai (Шымбай), Konirat (Қоңырат) and Moynaq (Uzbek: Mo'ynoq; Russian: Муйнак), a former Aral Sea port now some 85 kilometres (53 mi) inland.
[edit] Economy
The economy of the region, formerly heavily dependent on fisheries, is now supported by cotton, rice and melons. Hydroelectric power from a large Soviet-built station on the Amu Darya is also important.
The Amu Darya delta was once heavily populated, and supported extensive irrigation based agriculture for thousands of years. Under the Khorezm, the area attained considerable power and prosperity. However, the gradual climate change over the centuries, accelerated by human induced evaporation of the Aral Sea in the late 20th century has created an apocalyptic scene in the region. The ancient oasis of rivers, lakes, reed marshes, forests and farms are drying up and being poisoned by wind-borne salt as well as fertilizer and pesticide residues from the dried bed of the Aral Sea. Summer temperatures have risen 10 degrees Celsius and winter temperatures have decreased by 10 degrees Celsius. The rate of anemia, respiratory diseases, and other health problems has risen dramatically.[1]
[edit] Administrative divisions
 | District name | District capital |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amudarya District | Man'g'it |
| 2 | Beruniy District | Beruniy |
| 3 | Shimbay District | Shimbay |
| 4 | Ellikqala District | Bostan |
| 5 | Kegeyli District | Kegeyli |
| 6 | Moynaq District | Moynaq |
| 7 | No'kis District | Aqman'g'it |
| 8 | Qonliko‘l District | Qanliko‘l |
| 9 | Qon'irat District | Qon'irat |
| 10 | Qarao'zek District | Qarao'zek |
| 11 | Shomanay District | Shomanay |
| 12 | Taxtako‘pir District | Taxtako‘pir |
| 13 | To'rtko‘l District | To‘rtko‘l |
| 14 | Xojeli District | Xojeli |
*Kegeyli district was created in 2004 by the merger of former Bozatau district (the northern part of district 5 on the map) and former Kegeyli district (the south-eastern part of district 5). This merger was effected by Resolution 598-II of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan (11 February 2004) and Resolution 225 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan (11 May 2004), which abolished Bozatau district and created the enlarged Kegeyli district. Prior to that date, there were 15 districts in Karakalpakstan. See Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Karakalpakstan on gov.uz.
[edit] Independence movement
Recently the website of Radio Free Europe broadcast a report on the beginnings of an independence movement in Karakalpakstan due to the bad environmental and social conditions of the republic, though other residents and politicians from the region strongly deny the existence or desire for a genuine independence movement.[2]
[edit] Technology
[edit] Radio
In 2009, the first radio station of Karakalpakstan was opened. The station is called Nukus FM, which broadcasts on radiowave 100.4 MHz and only in Nukus. The radio doesn't broadcast online, but one can listen to the samples online on the music website of Karakalpakstan.[3]
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