Located in Central Asia, Uzbekistan is a landlocked country with no access to the sea, but it used to be home to the Aral Sea, which was once the fourth-largest inland lake in the world. However, today, most of its surface has dried up, making it one of the most shocking examples of geographical change in the world. The Aral Sea originally received water from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, but when the Soviet government carried out irrigation projects for cotton farming, most of the river water was diverted for agricultural use, significantly reducing the flow into the sea. As a result, the Aral Sea shrank to less than one-tenth of its original size.
The dried-up seabed turned into a desert covered in sand and salt, which people now call Aralkum. This desert is considered one of the largest man-made deserts in the world and continues to expand to this day. The Aral Sea is the region in Uzbekistan that has undergone the most dramatic geographical transformation, and it serves as strong evidence of how human development can alter nature.
The disappearance of the Aral Sea is not just a geographical change—it also caused serious health problems for nearby residents. The salt and pesticide residues left behind were carried by the wind, leading to respiratory diseases, cancer, and skin conditions in surrounding communities.
Has the disappearance of the Aral Sea really had a big impact on the people of Uzbekistan?
Currently, the weather is very dry in Seoul, with a dry warning in effect. Cherry blossoms were in full bloom at this time last year, so we took a lot of group photos, but this year, the weather is still a little cold, so cherry blossoms have not bloomed.
Perhaps this delay is caused by environmental issues, right? As the average global temperature rises, the flow of seasons becomes irregular, and the timing of plants blooming is gradually changing accordingly. When winter gets longer and spring gets hotter all of a sudden, plants feel confused and slow or fast to bloom. Also, lack of precipitation and fine dust affect the growth of plants.
Uzbekistan is said to have been facing serious environmental pollution and sanitation problems due to the rapidly increasing urban population and solid household waste problems. As a result, the government is promoting a power generation project through waste incineration, and is trying to achieve environmental improvement and energy independence at the same time through the latest incineration and purification technologies, investment conditions, and public-private cooperation (PPP) models.
Hi! My name is Deokyeon Kwon.
I’m from South Korea, and I’m currently a high school student. I have a strong interest in biotechnology, especially its applications in medicine and health. I find it fascinating how biological systems work and how we can use that knowledge to develop new treatments and technologies. In the future, I’d love to contribute to research that improves people’s lives. Apart from academics, I enjoy having conversations and discussing interesting ideas with my friends. I like learning about different perspectives and exploring new concepts, whether they’re related to science, philosophy, or just everyday life. I also love engaging in debates and hearing different opinions—it helps me broaden my understanding of the world. People often describe me as talkative, curious, and energetic. I love making people laugh and keeping the atmosphere lively, but I also know when to be serious and focused. I believe that having a good balance between fun and hard work is important. I’m always excited to meet new people and learn about different cultures and experiences. How about you? Tell me about yourself!