Karakalpakstan
Encyclopedia : K : KA : KAR : Karakalpakstan
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| Karakalpakstan Republic Қарақалпақстан Республикасы Qoraqalpog'iston Respublikasi | |
| Capital: | Nukus |
| Area: | 160,000 km² |
| Population: | 1,200,000 (2005) |
| Population density: | 7.5 people/km² |
| ISO 3166-2: | UZ-QR |
Karakalpakstan (Uzbek: Qoraqalpog'iston Respublikasi or Қорақалпоғистон Республикаси; Karakalpak: Қарақалпақстан Республикасы or Qaraqalpaqstan Respublikası) is an autonomous republic of Uzbekistan. It occupies the whole western end of Uzbekistan. The capital is Nukus (Karakalpak: Nökis). The Republic of Karakalpakstan has an area of 160,000 km2. Its territory covers the classical land of Khwarezmia, also known as Khorezm.
In classical times, and in Persian literature, the area was known as "Kāth".
Demographics
The population of Karakalpakstan is estimated at 1,200,000, of whom 400,000 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.
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 the Aral Sea ecological disaster of the late 20th century has created a science-fiction like nightmare for Karakalpakstan. The ancient oasis of rivers, lakes, reed marshes, forests and farms are drying up, and being poisoned by wind-borne salt and chemicals from the dried bed of the Aral Sea. Allegedly summer temperatures have risen 10 degrees and winter temperatures have decreased by 10 degrees, and the number of health and respiratory problems has risen dramatically.
Other cities include
- Hojeli (Uzbek: Hujayli; Russian Khodzheyli), site of extensive Khorezm ruins
- Moynaq, (Uzbek: Maynoq; Russian Muynak), former Aral Sea port now several miles inland
See also
External links
- [www.karakalpak.com]
- http://karakalpak.homestead.com/
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