The Republic of Karakalpakstan is situated in the south-western part of Uzbekistan. It takes up to north-western part of the Kizil-Kum Desert and the Amudarya River delta. The Republic’s total area covers 165 6000 square kilometers. The climate is typically continental, with very hot summers and cold winters without snow.

The population of Karakalpakstan is 1,4 million, mainly Uzbek (32,8 %) and Karakalpak (32,1%). About 48 % of the population live in rural areas while the other 52 % live in towns.

The Republic is diveded into 15 administrative districts, 12 towns and 16 villages.

The Republic’s administrative center is Nukus which has a population of 236 700. Other significant towns are Khodjeily, Kungrad and Chimbad.