Samarqand Region (Uzbekistan)

Samarqand Region is the most populous region of Uzbekistan. It is located in the center of the country in the basin of the Zarafshan River. It borders Tajikistan, Navoiy Region, Jizzakh Region and Qashqadaryo Region. It covers an area of 16,773 km². The population is estimated to be around 4,031,324, with some 63% living in rural areas (2022).

The climate is a typically arid continental climate.

Samarkand is Uzbekistan's second-largest center for economy, science, and culture, after Tashkent. The Institute of Archeology at the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan is based at Samarqand. The region's UNESCO World Heritage Site architectural monuments make Samarkand the country's largest center for international tourism.

Samarqand Region also has significant natural resources, including construction materials such as marble, granite, limestone, carbonate, and chalk. The region's major agricultural activities are cotton and cereal growing, winemaking and sericulture. Metal processing (spare parts for automobiles and combines), food processing, textiles, and ceramics are the area's most active industries.

The region has a well-developed transport infrastructure, with over 400 km of railways and 4100 km of surfaced roads. The telecommunication infrastructure is also well-developed.