Uzbekistan, located in the heart of Central Asia, is one of only two countries in the world to be doubly landlocked. It shares borders with Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan which are all in turn landlocked countries. The country also lies in a region of considerable seismic activity and is prone to earthquakes.

The northern area of Uzbekistan is dominated by the Kyzyl Kum Desert, the 16th largest in the world and the stony desert like Ustyurt Plateau. To the east of the country lies the fertile Fergana Valley which is surrounded by mountains of the Tain Shan.

Uzbekistan experiences a continental climate of hot summers where temperatures can reach 40°C and cool winters averaging temperatures of -2°C but occasionally reaching -40°C.

Uzbekistan possesses a range of natural resources including, amongst others, natural gas, oil, coal, gold and tungsten.