The population of Karakalpakstan is estimated to be around 1.7 million,[REF] and in 2007 it was estimated that about 400,000 of the population are of the Karakalpak ethnic group, 400,000 are Uzbeks, and 300,000 are Kazakhs [REF].
Other than the capital Nukus, large cities include Xojeli (Russian: ), Taxiatosh (), Shimbai (), Konirat () and Moynaq (), a former Aral Sea port now completely dried up according to NASA.