Navoiy Province

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coordinates: 42°0′N, 64°15′E

Navoiy Province
Navoiy viloyati
Country Uzbekistan
Capital Navoiy
Area 110,800 km² (42,780 sq mi)
Population 767,500 (2005)
Density 7 /km² (18 /sq mi)
ISO 3166-2 UZ-NW

Navoiy Province (Uzbek: Navoiy viloyati, Навоий вилояти) is a viloyat (province) of Uzbekistan located in the northwest of the country. The Kyzyl-Kum Desert takes up a large portion of its territory, which is the largest of the provinces of Uzbekistan except for the autonomous Karakalpakstan Republic. Navoiy Province borders with Kazakhstan, Samarqand Province, Buxoro Province and the Karakalpakstan Republic. It covers an area of 110,800 sq. km. The population is estimated to be around 767,500, with some 60% living in rural areas.

Navoiy Province is divided into 8 administrative districts. The capital is Navoiy (pop est 128,000). Other major towns include Qiziltepa, Nurota, Uchquduq, Zarafshon, and Yangiobod.

The climate is a typically semi-desert continental climate.

Navoiy Province has significant natural resources, especially natural gas, petroleum, and precious metals, plus raw materials for construction. The province's economy is heavily dependent on large mining, metallurgical, and chemical production complexes. The Navoi and Zarafshan mines produce some of the world's purest gold.

Leading agricultural products are cotton and Karakul sheep. Some 90% of the entire area is considered potentially rich agricultural land, if a source of water for irrigation can be located.