Sirdaryo Region (Uzbek: Sirdaryo viloyati, Сирдарё вилояти) is one of the regions of Uzbekistan, located in the center of the country on the left bank of Syr Darya River. It borders with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Tashkent Region, and Jizzakh Region. It covers an area of 4,276 square kilometres (1,651 sq mi),[1] and is mostly desert, with the Starving Steppe taking up a significant part of the region's area. The population is estimated to be 860,900 (2021).[2]
The population of the region is distributed along the main highway, which divides the whole region into two parts: the western and the eastern. The population in mainly Uzbek, with Tajik minorities on the border in the south with Tajikistan (mainly Khavast district).
The climate is a typically arid continental climate with extreme differences between winter and summer temperatures.
Economy
The economy is based on cotton and cereal crops, with strong reliance on irrigation and on cattle breeding. Minor crops include forage plants, vegetables, melons, gourds, potatoes, maize, a variety of fruit and grapes. Industry consists of construction materials, irrigation equipment and raw-cotton processing.
Syrdarya contains one of Uzbekistan's largest hydroelectric power plants, which generates one third of the country's electricity.
