Navoiy Region is one of the regions of Uzbekistan. It is located in the central north/northwest of the country. The Kyzyl-Kum desert takes up a large portion of its territory, which is the largest of the regions of Uzbekistan (the autonomous Karakalpakstan Republic is still larger at 160,000 km2). The Navoiy region borders with Kazakhstan, Samarqand Region, Buxoro Region and the Karakalpakstan Republic. It covers an area of 110,800 km². The population is estimated to be around 932,793 (2008), with some 60% living in rural areas. The region is named after Ali-Shir Nava'i.