View source for Karakalpakstan

{{Short description|Autonomous republic of Uzbekistan}}
{{Redirect|Qaraqalpaqstan|the town|Qaraqalpaqstan (town)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox political division
| name                = Republic of Karakalpakstan
| native_name         = {{lang|kaa|Qaraqalpaqstan Respublikası}} / {{native name|kaa|Қарақалпақстан Республикасы|italics=no}}<br />{{lang|uz|Qoraqalpogʻiston Respublikasi}} / {{native name|uz|Қорақалпоғистон Республикаси|italics=no}}
| other_name          = 
| settlement_type     = [[Regions of Uzbekistan|Autonomous republic]]
| image_skyline       = 
| image_size          = 
| image_alt           = 
| image_caption       = 
| image_flag          = Flag of Karakalpakstan.svg
| flag_size           = 130px
| flag_alt            = 
| flag_type           = 
| flag_link           = Flag of Karakalpakstan
| image_seal          = Emblem of Karakalpakstan.svg
| seal_size           = 90px
| seal_alt            = 
| seal_type           = Emblem
| seal_link           = Emblem of Karakalpakstan
| image_shield        = 
| shield_size         = 
| shield_alt          = 
| shield_link         = 
| image_blank_emblem  = 
| blank_emblem_size   = 
| blank_emblem_alt    = 
| blank_emblem_type   = 
| blank_emblem_link   = 
| etymology           = 
| nickname            = 
| subdivision_type    = [[Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_name    = [[Uzbekistan]]
| motto               = {{native phrase|kaa|Jayxun jaģasında ósken bayterek|nolink=yes}} <br />Jayxun yoqasida o‘sgan boyterak (Uzbek)
| anthem              = {{native name|kaa|Qaraqalpaqstan Respublikasınıń Mámleketlik Gimni|nolink=yes}}<br /> Qoraqalpog’iston Respublikasining Madhiyasi (Uzbek)<br />
"[[State Anthem of the Republic of Karakalpakstan]]"{{parabr}}{{center|[[File:Anthem of Karakalpakstan.ogg]]}}
| image_map           = Qaraqalpaqstan Respublikasi in Uzbekistan.svg
| map_alt             = 
| map_caption         = Karakalpakstan in Uzbekistan
| coordinates         = 
| established_title   = 
| established_date    = 
| established_title2  = 
| established_date2   = 
| established_title3  = 
| established_date3   = 
| extinct_title       = 
| extinct_date        = 
| founder             = 
| named_for           = 
| capital             = [[Nukus]]
| largest_settlement  = 
| official_languages  = {{hlist|[[Karakalpak language|Karakalpak]]|[[Uzbek language|Uzbek]]}}
| ethnic_groups       = {{ubl | 40.4% [[Uzbeks]] | 37.0% [[Karakalpaks]] | 15.4% [[Kazakhs]] | 5.4% [[Turkmens]] | 1.8% others}}
| ethnic_groups_year  = 2021<ref>{{cite web |title=Permanent population by national and / or ethnic group, urban / rural place of residence |url=https://data.egov.uz/eng/data/63774f14206a79bd4ad3a8d6 |publisher=Open Data Portal |access-date=14 April 2022}}</ref>
| religion            = Islam
| demonym             = 
| government_type     =[[Autonomous republic]] 
| leader_title1       = [[List of chairmen of the Supreme Council of Karakalpakstan|Chairman of the Supreme Council]]
| leader_name1        = [[Amanbai Orynbaev]]
| leader_title2       = [[Council of Ministers of Karakalpakstan|Chairman of the Council of Ministers]]
| leader_name2        = [[Farkhat Ermanov]]
| leader_title3       = 
| leader_name3        = 
| leader_title4       = 
| leader_name4        = 
| legislature         = [[Supreme Council of Karakalpakstan]]
| national_representation = 
| national_representation_type1 = 
| national_representation1 = 
| national_representation_type2 = 
| national_representation2 = 
| area_rank           = 
| area_km2            = 166590
| percent_water       = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m         = 
| population_total = 2 015 000
| population_as_of = 2024
| population_footnotes = 
| population_estimate = 2,015,000
| population_estimate_year = 2024<ref>{{cite web |title=Demographic Situation in the Republic of Uzbekistan |url=https://stat.uz/img/demografiya-press-reliz-22_04_2024-eng.pdf|publisher=Statistics Agency under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan |date=2024}}</ref>
| population_estimate_rank = 
| population_census_year = 
| population_density_km2 = 12.06
| population_density_sq_mi = <!-- Do not remove as per WP:MOSNUM -->
| population_density_rank = 
| GDP_PPP             = $15.2 billion
| GDP_PPP_year        = 2024
| GDP_PPP_rank        = 
| GDP_PPP_per_capita  = 
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 
| GDP_nominal         = $4.5 billion
| GDP_nominal_year    = 2024
| GDP_nominal_rank    = 12th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = 
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 
| Gini                = 
| Gini_year           = 
| Gini_change         = <!-- increase/decrease/steady -->
| Gini_ref            = 
| HDI                 = 0.725<!-- number only -->
| HDI_year            = 2022<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change          = <!-- increase/decrease/steady -->
| HDI_ref             = 
| HDI_rank            = 
| currency            = [[Uzbekistani sum]]
| currency_code       = UZS
| timezone            = [[Time in Uzbekistan|Uzbekistan Standard Time]]
| utc_offset          = +5:00
| date_format         = 
| electricity         = 
| drives_on           = 
| calling_code        = 
| iso_code            =UZ-QR 
| postal_code         = 
| cctld               = 
| website             = 
| footnotes           = 
| embed               = 
}}

'''Karakalpakstan''',{{efn|{{bulleted list|{{langx|kaa|Qaraqalpaqistan|italics=yes}} / {{lang|kaa-cyrl|Қарақалпақстан}}|{{langx|uz|Qoraqalpogʻiston|italics=yes}} / {{lang|uz-cyrl|Қорақалпоғистон}}}}}} officially the '''Republic of Karakalpakstan''',{{efn|{{bulleted list|{{langx|kaa|Qaraqalpaqstan Respublikası|italics=yes}} / {{lang|kaa-cyrl|Қарақалпақстан Республикасы}}|{{langx|uz|Qoraqalpogʻiston Respublikasi|italics=yes}} / {{lang|uz-cyrl|Қорақалпоғистон Республикаси}}}}}} is an [[autonomous republic]] of [[Uzbekistan]]. It spans the northwestern portion of Uzbekistan. Its capital is [[Nukus]] (''{{lang|kaa|Nókis}}'' / {{lang|kaa|Нөкис}}). Karakalpakstan has an area of {{cvt|166590|km2}},<ref name=stat>{{cite web|url=https://api.stat.uz/api/v1.0/data/ozbekiston-respublikasining-mamuriy-hududiy-bol?lang=uz&format=pdf|title=Oʻzbekiston Respublikasining maʼmuriy-hududiy boʻlinishi|trans-title=Administrative-territorial division of the Republic of Uzbekistan|date=July 2021|publisher=The State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on statistics|language=uz|archive-date=4 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204100727/https://api.stat.uz/api/v1.0/data/ozbekiston-respublikasining-mamuriy-hududiy-bol?lang=uz&format=pdf}}</ref> and has a population of about 2 million people. Its territory covers the classical land of [[Khwarazm]], which in classical [[Persian literature]] was known as {{transliteration|fa|Kāt}} ({{lang|fa|کات}}).

==Name==
The name ''Karakalpakstan'' means "land of the [[Karakalpaks]]". Although most Karakalpaks reside in Uzbekistan, Karakalpak culture and language are closer to those of the [[Kazakhs]] and [[Nogais]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Glottolog 4.8 - Kara-Kalpak |url=https://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/kara1467 |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=glottolog.org}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Kyzyl-Kala under restoration (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Ancient fortress of [[Kyzyl-Kala]] (1st–4th century AD), under restoration (2018)]]
From about 500 BC to 500 AD, the region of what is now Karakalpakstan was a thriving agricultural area supported by extensive irrigation.<ref name="Bolton"/> It was strategically important territory and fiercely contested, as is seen by the more than 50 [[Desert castles of ancient Khorezm|Khorezm fortresses]] which were constructed here. The [[Karakalpaks|Karakalpak people]], who used to be nomadic herders and fishers, were first recorded by foreigners in the 16th century.<ref name="Mayhew"/> Karakalpakstan was ceded to the [[Russian Empire]] by the [[Khanate of Khiva]] in 1873.<ref name="Richardson">{{cite book |last1=Richardson |first1=David |last2=Richardson |first2=Sue |year=2012 |title=Qaraqalpaqs of the Aral Delta |publisher=Prestel Verlag |isbn=978-3-7913-4738-7 |page=68}}</ref> 

Under [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] rule, it was an [[Karakalpak Autonomous Oblast|autonomous area]] within the [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic]] before becoming part of [[Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic|Uzbekistan]] in 1936 as the [[Karakalpak Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Karakalpak ASSR]].<ref name="Europa">{{cite book |title=Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia |author=Europa Publications Limited |year=2002 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=1-85743-137-5 |page=536 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EPP3ti4hysUC&q=karakalpakstan |access-date=3 March 2012 |archive-date=16 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416045037/https://books.google.com/books?id=EPP3ti4hysUC&q=karakalpakstan |url-status=live }}</ref> 

The region was probably at its most prosperous in the 1960s and 1970s, when irrigation from the [[Amu Darya]] was being expanded.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}} However, the evaporation of the [[Aral Sea]] has made Karakalpakstan one of Uzbekistan's poorest regions.<ref name="Mayhew">{{cite book |title=Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan |last=Mayhew |first=Bradley |year=2007 |publisher=[[Lonely Planet]] |isbn=978-1-74104-614-4 |page=258 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DwX-UTmC1GwC&q=karakalpakstan |access-date=3 March 2012 |archive-date=16 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416045039/https://books.google.com/books?id=DwX-UTmC1GwC&q=karakalpakstan |url-status=live }}</ref> 

The region is suffering from extensive drought, partly due to climate patterns, but also largely because the Amu Darya and [[Syr Darya]] rivers are mostly diverted in the eastern parts of Uzbekistan. Crop failures have deprived about 48,000 people of their main source of income and shortages of potable water have created a surge of infectious diseases.<ref name="Thomas">{{cite book |title=Warlords rising: confronting violent non-state actors |last=Thomas |first=Troy S. |author2=Kiser, Stephen D. |author3=Casebeer, William D. |year=2005 |publisher=Lexington Books |isbn=0-7391-1190-6 |pages=30, 147–148 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sgkIZDGtD1IC&q=karakalpakstan |access-date=3 March 2012 |archive-date=16 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416045033/https://books.google.com/books?id=sgkIZDGtD1IC&q=karakalpakstan |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Needs update|date=February 2025}}

== Geography ==
Karakalpakstan is now mostly desert and is located in western Uzbekistan near the [[Aral Sea]], in the lowest part of the Amu Darya basin.<ref name="Batalden">{{cite book |title=The newly independent states of Eurasia: handbook of former Soviet republics |last=Batalden |first=Stephen K. |author2=Batalden, Sandra L. |year=1997 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=0-89774-940-5 |page=187 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WFjPAxhBEaEC&q=karakalpakstan |access-date=3 March 2012 |archive-date=16 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416045035/https://books.google.com/books?id=WFjPAxhBEaEC&q=karakalpakstan |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Thomas"/><ref name="Merkel">{{cite book |title=The New Uranium Mining Boom: Challenge and Lessons Learned |last=Merkel |first=Broder |author2=Schipek, Mandy |year=2011 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3642221217 |page=128 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZrmhBB9jY00C&q=karakalpakstan&pg=PA127 |access-date=7 June 2012 |archive-date=16 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416045033/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZrmhBB9jY00C&q=karakalpakstan&pg=PA127 |url-status=live }}</ref> It has an area of 164,900&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Roeder"/> and is surrounded by desert. The [[Kyzylkum Desert|Kyzyl Kum Desert]] is located to the east and the [[Karakum Desert]] is located to the south. A rocky plateau extends west to the [[Caspian Sea]].<ref name="Bolton">{{cite book |title=Russian Orientalism: Central Asia and the Caucasus |last=Bolton |first=Roy |year=2009 |publisher=Sphinx Fine Art |isbn=978-1-907200-00-7 |page=54 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ppFqRnZXNWsC&q=karakalpakstan |access-date=3 March 2012 |archive-date=16 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416045034/https://books.google.com/books?id=ppFqRnZXNWsC&q=karakalpakstan |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Politics ==

=== Autonomous status ===
{{see also|Constitution of Karakalpakstan}}
Its predecessor, the [[Karakalpak Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic]], was an autonomous republic in the Soviet Union until its incorporation into the [[Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic]] in 1932. The Republic of Karakalpakstan maintained its predecessor's formal sovereignty, even after the independence of Uzbekistan in 1990.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-karakalpakstan-deadly-unrest-trial-tajmuratov/32251200.html |publisher=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |title=In Uzbekistan's Karakalpakstan, Trial Over Deadly Unrest Makes A 'Hero' Of Its Intended Villain |date=1 February 2023 |first=Chris |last=Rickleton |accessdate=5 April 2023}}</ref> Karakalpakstan shares [[veto power]] with Uzbekistan over decisions concerning its affairs. According to the [[Constitution of Uzbekistan|constitution]], relations between Karakalpakstan and Uzbekistan are "regulated by treaties and agreements" and any disputes are "settled by way of reconciliation". Its right to secede is limited by the veto power of Uzbekistan's legislature over any decision to secede.<ref name="Roeder">{{cite book |title=Where nation-states come from: institutional change in the age of nationalism |last=Roeder |first=Philip G. |year=2007 |publisher=[[Princeton University Press]] |isbn=978-0-691-13467-3 |pages=55, 67 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XAItI5C_JPUC&q=karakalpakstan |access-date=3 March 2012 |archive-date=16 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416045034/https://books.google.com/books?id=XAItI5C_JPUC&q=karakalpakstan |url-status=live }}</ref> Article 89, chapter XVII, [[Constitution of Uzbekistan]], provides that: "The Republic of Karakalpakstan shall have the right to secede from the Republic of Uzbekistan on the basis of a nationwide [[referendum]] held by the people of Karakalpakstan."<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2023 |title=The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan |url=https://constitution.uz/uploads/constitution_en.pdf |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=constitution.uz |page=13 |language=English |type=Unofficial translation |publication-date=30 April 2023 |quote=The Republic of Karakalpakstan shall have the right to secede from the Republic of Uzbekistan on the basis of a nation-wide referendum held by the people of Karakalpakstan.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan |url=https://constitution.uz/en/clause/index#item89 |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=constitution.uz |language=en}}</ref>

In July 2022, [[2022 Karakalpak protests|large protests]] broke out in the region over a proposed constitutional change which would strip Karakalpakstan of its autonomy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Uzbekistan's new constitution: More for Mirziyoyev, less for Karakalpakstan |url=https://eurasianet.org/uzbekistans-new-constitution-more-for-mirziyoyev-less-for-karakalpakstan |access-date=1 July 2022 |website=eurasianet.org |language=en |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702173630/https://eurasianet.org/uzbekistans-new-constitution-more-for-mirziyoyev-less-for-karakalpakstan |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 July 2022 |title=Жители Узбекистана вышли на митинги после конституционной реформы |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/5445408 |access-date=1 July 2022 |website=www.kommersant.ru |language=ru |archive-date=1 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701193427/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/5445408 |url-status=live }}</ref> The proposed change was later scrapped in response to the demonstrations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Uzbekistan scraps plans to curb Karakalpak autonomy after protest |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/protests-break-out-uzbek-autonomous-region-over-constitution-reform-plan-2022-07-02/ |access-date=2 July 2022 |work=Reuters |date=2 July 2022 |language=en |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702083400/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/protests-break-out-uzbek-autonomous-region-over-constitution-reform-plan-2022-07-02/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Leadership ===
The head of the republic is the [[List of chairmen of the Supreme Council of Karakalpakstan|Chairman]] of the [[Supreme Council of Karakalpakstan]] or parliament (known as the "President of the Republic" from 1991 to 1992). The head of the government is the Chairman of the [[Council of Ministers of Karakalpakstan]].

One of the deputy chairmen of the [[Senate of Uzbekistan|Senate]] of the [[Oliy Majlis]] is a representative of Karakalpakstan as per the constitution.

== Demographics ==
{{Moresources | section|date=March 2024}}

On 1 July 2023, the population of Karakalpakstan was 1,986,900 people. It increased of 1.2% compared to the corresponding period of 2022. The number of men (997,800) slightly exceeded the number of women (989,100). There were slightly more people living in rural areas (1,015,500) than in urban areas (971,400).<ref name=stat2023>{{cite web |url=https://stat.uz/en/press-center/news-of-committee/42015-qoraqalpog-iston-respublik-asi-|title= Distribution of the permanent population of the Republic of Karakalpakstan |publisher= Statistics Agency under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan |language=uz |date= 25 July 2023 |access-date=13 October 2024 }}</ref>

In 2007, it was estimated that about 400,000 of the population are of the [[Karakalpaks|Karakalpak]] ethnic group, 400,000 are [[Uzbeks]] and 300,000 are [[Kazakhs]].<ref name="Mayhew"/> Though 95% of Karakalpaks reside in Uzbekistan,<ref>{{cite book |author1=Birgit Schlyter |editor1-last=Schiffman |editor1-first=Harold |title=Language Policy and Language Conflict in Afghanistan and Its Neighbors |date=2012 |publisher=Brill |isbn=978-90-04-21765-2 |page=191 |chapter=Language Policy and Language Development in Multilingual Uzbekistan}}</ref> mostly in Karakalpakstan, the [[Karakalpak language]] is closer to [[Kazakh language|Kazakh]] than to [[Uzbek language|Uzbek]].<ref>[https://windowonheartland.blogspot.com/2012/01/karakalpakstan-uzbekistans-latent.html Karakalpakstan: Uzbekistan's latent conflict] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304185052/http://windowonheartland.blogspot.com/2012/01/karakalpakstan-uzbekistans-latent.html |date=4 March 2016 }}, 6 January 2012</ref> The language was written in a modified [[Cyrillic script|Cyrillic]] in Soviet times and has been written in the [[Latin alphabet]] since 1996.

Other than the capital Nukus, major cities include [[Xojeli]], [[Taqiyatas]], [[Shimbay]], [[Qońirat]] (''Kungrad'') and [[Moynaq]].

The [[crude birth rate]] is 2.2%: approximately 39,400 children were born in 2017. Nearly 8,400 people died in the same period. The [[crude death rate]] is 0.47%. The natural growth rate is 31,000, or 1.72%.

The [[median age]] was 27.7 years old in 2017, which is younger than the rest of Uzbekistan (median age of 28.5 countrywide). Men are 27.1 years old, while women are 28.2 years old.

Dynamics of the number and ethnic composition of the population of Karakalpakstan according to the All-Union censuses of 1926–1989:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Nationality
!<small>1926  (people)</small>
!%
!<small>1939  (people)</small>
!%
!<small>1959  (people)</small>
!%
!<small>1970  (people)</small>
!%
!<small>1979  (people)</small>
!%
!<small>1989  (people)</small>
!%
|-
|Total
|304 539
|100.00%
|469 702
|100.00%
|510 101
|100.00%
|702 264
|100.00%
|905 500
|100.00%
|1 212 207
|100.00%
|-
|Uzbeks
|84 099
|27.62%
|116 054
|24.71%
|146 783
|28.78%
|212 597
|30.27%
|285 400
|31.52%
|397 826
|32.82%
|-
|Karakalpaks
|116 125
|38.13%
|158 615
|33.77%
|155 999
|30.58%
|217 505
|30.97%
|281 809
|31.12%
|389 146
|32.10%
|-
|Kazakhs
|85 782
|28.17%
|129 677
|27.61%
|133 844
|26.24%
|186 038
|26.49%
|243 926
|26.94%
|318 739
|26.29%
|-
|Turkmens
|9686
|3.18%
|23 259
|4.95%
|29 225
|5.73%
|37 547
|5.35%
|48 655
|5.37%
|60 244
|4.97%
|-
|Russians
|4924
|1.62%
|24 969
|5.32%
|22 966
|4.50%
|25 165
|3.58%
|21 287
|2.35%
|19 846
|1.64%
|-
|Koreans
|
|
|7347
|1.56%
|9956
|1.95%
|8958
|1.28%
|8081
|0.89%
|9174
|0.76%
|-
|Tatars
|884
|0.29%
|4162
|0.89%
|6177
|1.21%
|7619
|1.08%
|7617
|0.84%
|7767
|0.64%
|-
|Ukrainians
|621
|0.20%
|3130
|0.67%
|2201
|0.43%
|2316
|0.33%
|2005
|0.22%
|2271
|0.19%
|-
|Bashkirs
|29
|0.01%
|381
|0.08%
|571
|0.11%
|854
|0.12%
|920
|0.10%
|1090
|0.09%
|-
|Kyrgyz
|277
|0.09%
|181
|0.04%
|177
|0.03%
|400
|0.06%
|1955
|0.22%
|867
|0.07%
|-
|Moldovans
|10
|0.00%
|16
|0.00%
|
|
|57
|0.01%
|343
|0.04%
|632
|0.05%
|-
|Belarusians
|30
|0.01%
|214
|0.05%
|328
|0.06%
|517
|0.07%
|852
|0.09%
|567
|0.05%
|-
|other
|2072
|0.68%
|1697
|0.36%
|1874
|0.37%
|2691
|0.38%
|2650
|0.29%
|4038
|0.33%
|}

{{Historical populations
|title        = 
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|percentages  = pagr
|state        = 
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|subbox       =
|pop_name     =
|year_name    = Year
|percent_name =
|footnote     = 
|source       = Citypopulation<ref>{{cite web |title=Uzbekistan: Provinces |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/en/uzbekistan/cities/ |language=en |access-date=12 March 2022 |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331140430/https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uzbekistan/cities/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|graph-pos    = bottom
|graph-width  =
|graph-height =
|percol       =
|cols         =
|perrow       =
|rows         =
|1979 |904,315
|1989 |1,214,000
|2000 |1,503,000
|2010 |1,632,000
|2020 |1,898,351
}}
{{clear}}

== Economy ==
[[File:Karakalpakstan Kyzyl Qala Cotton Picking.jpg|thumb|Cotton picking near [[Kyzyl-Kala]]]]
The economy of the region used to be heavily dependent on [[fisheries]] in the Aral Sea. It is now supported by [[cotton]], [[rice]], and fruits, such as plums, pears, grapes, and apricots, in addition to all kinds of melons. [[Hydroelectric power]] comes from a large [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-built station on the [[Amu Darya]], which 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, [[climate change]] over the centuries, accelerated by human induced evaporation of the [[Aral Sea]] in the late 20th century has created a desolate scene in the region. The ancient oases of rivers, lakes, reed marshes, forests and farms are drying up and being poisoned by wind-borne salt and by [[fertilizer]] and [[pesticide]] residues from the dried bed of the Aral Sea. Summer temperatures have risen by {{cvt|10|C-change|F-change}} and winter temperatures have decreased by {{cvt|10|C-change|F-change}}. The rates of incidence of [[anemia]], [[respiratory disease]]s and other health problems has risen dramatically.<ref>{{cite book |last=Pearce |first=Fred |author-link=Fred Pearce |title=When the Rivers Run Dry: Water, the Defining Crisis of the Twenty-first Century |publisher=[[Beacon Press]] |year=2007 |page=211 |isbn=978-0-8070-8573-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C0_q-90H1aAC&q=karakalpakstan |access-date=28 November 2020 |archive-date=16 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416045032/https://books.google.com/books?id=C0_q-90H1aAC&q=karakalpakstan |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Administrative divisions ==
[[File:Республика Каракалпакстан.jpg|thumb|350px|Districts of Karakalpakstan]]
[[File:Karakalpakstan map.png|right|thumb|250px|Largest cities of Karakalpakstan]]

The autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan consists of 16 [[Districts of Uzbekistan|district]]s (listed below) and one district-level city: [[Nukus]] (number 1 on map).<ref name="stat" />
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! № || District name || District capital
|-
| 2 || [[Amudaryo District|Amiwdárya district]] || [[Mangʻit|Mańǵıt]]
|-
| 3 || [[Beruniy District|Beruniy district]] || [[Beruniy]]
|-
| 4 || [[Boʻzatov District|Bozataw district]] || [[Boʻzatov|Bozataw]]
|-
| 15 || [[Chimboy District|Shimbay district]] || [[Chimboy|Shımbay]]
|-
| 17 || [[Ellikqala District|Ellikqala district]] || [[Boʻston|Bostan]]
|-
| 7 || [[Kegeyli District|Kegeyli district]] || [[Kegeyli]]
|-
| 9 || [[Moʻynoq District|Moynaq district]] || [[Moʻynoq|Moynaq]]
|-
| 10 || [[Nukus District|Nókis district]] || [[Oqmangʻit|Aqmańǵıt]]
|-
| 5 || [[Qanlikoʻl District|Qanlikól district]] || [[Qanlikoʻl|Qanlıkól]]
|-
| 8 || [[Qoʻngʻirot District|Qońirat district]] || [[Qoʻngʻirot|Qońırat]]
|-
| 6 || [[Qoraoʻzak District|Qaraózek district]] || [[Qoraoʻzak|Qaraózek]]
|-
| 16 || [[Shumanay District|Shomanay district]] || [[Shumanay|Shomanay]]
|-
| 11 || [[Taxiatosh District|Taqiyatas district]] || [[Taxiatosh|Taqiyatas]]
|-
| 12 || [[Taxtakoʻpir District|Taxtakópir district]] || [[Taxtakoʻpir|Taxtakópir]]
|-
| 13 || [[Toʻrtkoʻl District|Tórtkúl district]] || [[Toʻrtkoʻl|Tórtkúl]]
|-
| 14 || [[Xoʻjayli District|Xojeli district]] || [[Xoʻjayli|Xojeli]]
|}

[[Taxiatosh District|Taqiyatas district]] was created in 2017 from part of [[Xoʻjayli District|Xojeli district]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nuz.uz/politika/25266-v-karakalpakstane-obrazovan-novyy-tahiatashskiy-rayon.html |title=New Takhiatash region formed in Karakalpakstan |language=ru |date=14 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623141048/https://nuz.uz/politika/25266-v-karakalpakstane-obrazovan-novyy-tahiatashskiy-rayon.html |archive-date=23 June 2018}}</ref> [[Boʻzatov District|Bozataw district]] was created in September 2019 from parts of the [[Kegeyli District|Kegeyli district]] and the [[Chimboy District|Shimbay district]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://joqargikenes.uz/uz/1264.html |title=About creation of Boʻzatov district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan |language=uz |date=5 September 2019 |access-date=5 February 2022 |archive-date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224130841/https://joqargikenes.uz/uz/1264.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

There are 12 cities ([[Nukus|Nókis]], [[Mangʻit|Mańģit]], [[Beruniy]], [[Xalqobod, Karakalpakstan|Xaliqabat]], [[Qoʻngʻirot|Qońirat]], [[Moʻynoq|Moynaq]], [[Taxiatosh|Taqiyatas]], [[Toʻrtkoʻl|Tórtkúl]], [[Xoʻjayli|Xojeli]], [[Chimboy|Shimbay]], [[Shumanay|Shomanay]], [[Boʻston|Bostan]]) and 26 [[urban-type settlement]]s in Karakalpakstan.<ref name=stat/><ref name=class>{{cite web |url=https://stat.uz/uploads/docs/soato(mhobt)_2020.xlsx |title=Classification system of territorial units of the Republic of Uzbekistan |language=uz, ru |date=July 2020 |publisher=The State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on statistics |access-date=5 February 2022 |archive-date=6 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106231427/https://stat.uz/uploads/docs/soato(mhobt)_2020.xlsx |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Media ==

=== Journalism ===
Journalists can face intimidation in the region, for example [[Lola Kallikhanova]] has been questioned by police, and prosecuted.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2020-08-03 |title=Pressure on Karakalpakstan journalist wrongly accused of spreading false information {{!}} RSF |url=https://rsf.org/en/pressure-karakalpakstan-journalist-wrongly-accused-spreading-false-information |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=rsf.org |language=en}}</ref> This treatment of Kallikhanova and other journalists was condemned by the [[Coalition For Women In Journalism|Coalition for Women in Journalism]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Uzbekistan: Arbitrary Summoning And Intimidation Of Women Journalists Over Absurd Claims Is Unacceptable |url=https://www.womeninjournalism.org/threats-all/uzbekistan-arbitrary-summoning-and-intimidation-of-women-journalists-over-absurd-claims-is-unacceptable |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Coalition For Women in Journalism |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Radio ===
In 2009, the first radio station of Karakalpakstan was opened, in [[Nukus]]. Named 'Nukus FM', the station broadcasts on [[radio frequency]] 100.4&nbsp;MHz.{{Cn|date=May 2024}}

=== Television ===
[[Qaraqalpaqstan (TV channel)|Qaraqalpaqstan tеlеvideniesi]] is an Uzbek television channel that broadcasts to the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan. The channel airs programming in four languages, Karakalpak, Uzbek, Kazakh and Russian.<ref>{{cite web |title=Uzbekistan: Keeping the Karakalpak Language Alive |url=https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2008893.html |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=ecoi.net |date=May 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215221853/https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2008893.html |archive-date=February 15, 2023}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Delta Blues (documentary film)|''Delta Blues'']] (documentary film)
* [[Human rights in Uzbekistan]]
* [[Karakalpak Autonomous Oblast]], a short-lived Soviet entity
* [[Karakalpak Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic]], an autonomous republic of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and then the Uzbek SSR 
* [[Mizdahkan]]
* [[Uzbekisation]]
* [[Turkification]]
* [[Madjars]]
* [[2022 Karakalpak protests]]

== Explanatory notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.karakalpakstan.uz/ru Official website of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan] {{in lang|en}}
* [http://www.ayimtour.com Tours to Karakalpkstan]

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Karakalpakstan
|North     = [[Kyzylorda Region]]<br/>{{smaller|{{flagcountry|Kazakhstan}}}}
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Navoiy Region]]<br/>[[Bukhara Region]]
|Southeast = [[Lebap Region]]<br/>{{smaller|{{flagcountry|Turkmenistan}}}}<br/>[[Xorazm Region]]
|South     = [[Daşoguz Region]]<br/>{{smaller|{{flagcountry|Turkmenistan}}}}
|Southwest = [[Balkan Region]]<br/>{{smaller|{{flagcountry|Turkmenistan}}}}
|West      = [[Mangystau Region]]<br/>{{smaller|{{flagcountry|Kazakhstan}}}}
|Northwest = [[Aktobe Region]]<br/>{{smaller|{{flagcountry|Kazakhstan}}}}
}}

{{Karakalpakstan}}
{{Provinces of Uzbekistan}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|43.04|N|58.86|E|type:adm1st_region:UZ-QR|display=title}}

[[Category:Karakalpakstan| ]]
[[Category:Regions of Uzbekistan]]