Uzbekistan wis incorporatit intae theRoushie Empire in the 19t century an in 1924 became a constituent republic o theSoviet Union, kent as theUzbek Soviet Socialist Republic (Uzbek SSR). It haes been an independent republic syne December 1991.
Uzbekistan's economy relies mainly on commodity production, includincotton,gold,uranium,potassium, annatural gas. Despite the declared objective otransition tae amarket economy, Uzbekistan continues tae maintain rigid economic controls, which aften repel foreign investors. The policy o gradual, strictly controlled transition haes nivertheless produced beneficial results in the form o economic recovery efter 1995. Uzbekistan's domestic policies on human richts an individual freedoms are aften criticised bi internaitional organisations. In Uzbekistan aboot 45% o the population live on less nor US$1.25 per day.
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