Bukhara Region
Bukhara Region (Buxoro Region) (Uzbek: Buxoro viloyati/Бухоро вилояти) is a region of Uzbekistan located in the southwest of the country. The Kyzyl Kum desert takes up a large portion of its territory. It borders Turkmenistan, Navoiy Region, Qashqadaryo Region, a tiny bit of Xorazm Region, and the Karakalpakstan Republic. It covers an area of 39,400 km2. The population is estimated at 1,543,900 (end of 2009 data), with 71% living in rural areas.
Buxoro Region is divided into 11 administrative districts. The capital is Buxoro (pop. est. 241,300 at the end of 2005). Other major towns include Alat, Karakul, Galaasiya, Gazli, Gijduvan (pop. 40,600 end of 2005), Kagan (pop. 53,500, end of 2005), Romitan, Shafirkan, and Vabkent.
The climate is a typically arid continental climate.
The old city of Bukhara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous as a "living museum" and a center for international tourism. There are numerous historical and architectural monuments in and around the city and adjacent districts.