The Republic of Karakalpakstan

is in the north-western part of Uzbekistan, in the Lower Amu-Darya along the Aral Sea coast. The territory of the republic is mainly occupied by vast plains of Ust-Urt Plateau in the North, hills of Kara-Kum Desert in the East. The Amu-Darya, which flows to the North accross the republic, is the largest river in the region.

The Karakalpak territories were formerly part of Khoresm - one of the most important sites of the ancient civilization. Great sientists and philosophers lived and worked here - Ibn Sina (Avicena), Abu Raikhan al-Beruni, among others. One of the Karakalpak towns, formerly Shabbaz, was renamed after al-Beruni.

Karakalpakstan is known for its numerous nature preserves. The Sudochi Lake, which is the spawning-ground, the Khodjakul Lake, the Allan Wells Site, the Lasarev Island with its rare pink limestone quarry, as well as the Karaumbot salt-marshes with its unique geological formations are among them.

The Badai-Tugai Nature Preserve is the site where one could see exotic animals: cheetahs, hyenas, wild ram, bald badgers, porcupines and also some rare birds: griffons, Egyptian vultures, white-headed hawks. And in the Gulf of Amu-Darya one could find an extremely rare fish - pseudo sturgeon.

Since early times Karakalpak people excelled in carpet-making, weaving, embroidery, wood-carving, inlay works with clothes and ivory. Yurts -traditional mobile homes of nomadic Karakalpaks - are kept warm and richy decorated with carpets, felt mats, woven rugs with strict geometrical and floral patterns.