Xorazm Region

Xorazm Region
Xorazm viloyati
region

Xorazm in Uzbekistan
Coordinates: 41°20′N 61°0′E / 41.333°N 61.000°E / 41.333; 61.000Coordinates: 41°20′N 61°0′E / 41.333°N 61.000°E / 41.333; 61.000
Country Uzbekistan
Capital Urgench
Government
 • Hokim Po‘lat Bobojonov
Area
 • Total 6,300 km2 (2,400 sq mi)
Population (2005-02-01)
 • Total 1,200,000
 • Density 190/km2 (490/sq mi)
Time zone East (UTC+5)
 • Summer (DST) not observed (UTC+5)
ISO 3166 code UZ-XO
Districts 10
Cities 3
Townships 7
Villages 100
Khiva under Russian attack. The painting by Vasily Vereshchagin.

Xorazm Region (Uzbek: Xorazm viloyati, Хоразм вилояти, خارەزم ۋىلايەتى) or Khorezm Region as it is still more commonly known, is a viloyat (region) of Uzbekistan located in the northwest of the country in the lower reaches of the Amu-Darya River. It borders with Turkmenistan, Karakalpakstan, and Bukhara Region. It covers an area of 6,300 square kilometres (2,400 sq mi). The population is estimated to be around 1,200,000, with some 80% living in rural areas.

Khorezm Region is divided into 10 administrative districts. The capital is Urgench (pop est 135,000). Other major towns include Xonqa, Khiva, Shovot, and Pitnak.

The climate is a typically arid continental climate, with cold winters and extremely hot, dry summers.

The city of Khiva in Khorezm Region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with world famous architectural monuments, making Khiva one of the main centers for international tourism in the country.

The economy of Khorezm Region is primarily based on cotton. Cotton is by far the main crop, although rice production has increased significantly in the last several years. (though the Uzbek government discourages rice production near to deserts, over water usage concerns) There are also many orchards and vineyards, melon and gourd plantations and potato fields. Khorezm Region is famous for its "gurvak" melon in Uzbekistan. Industry is also heavily oriented to cotton, with cotton refining, cottonseed oil extraction and textiles predominating.

Khorezm is a place where many famous scholars were born, such as Abu Rayhan Biruni and al-Khwārizmī. The famous terms algorithm and algebra come from the works of the latter. Algorithm is a modified spelling of Khwārizmī and algebra derives from his famous work "al-jabr wa-l-muqābala".

The region has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, with over 130 km of railways and 2000 km of surfaced roads. The region is connected by rail to European Russia and the Caucasus.

Administrative divisions

Districts of Xorazm Region
Key District name District capital
1 Bog‘ot District Bog‘ot
2 Gurlen District Gurlen
3 Khiva District Khiva
4 Qo‘shko‘pir District Qo‘shko‘pir
5 Shovot District Shovot
6 Urganch District Qorovul
7 Xonqa District Xonqa
8 Xazorasp District Xazorasp
9 Yangiariq District Yangiariq
10 Yangibozor District Yangibozor

See also

 Karakalpakstan
  Xorazm Region  
Daşoguz Region,  Turkmenistan Lebap Region,  Turkmenistan
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