Uzbekistan is located in central Asia, bordered by Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. In the south and east of the country, the Pamir-Alai and Tien-Shan mountain ranges dominate and the Kyzyl Kum desert is the major feature of the northeast. Tashkent is the country’s capital, set in the Chirchik river valley. Many buildings in the old city were destroyed by a massive earthquake in 1966 and the new construction is of little architectural interest. Samarkand however, which was founded more than 5000 years ago and flourished until the 16th century, boasts many buildings of historical and architectural interest. The city of Bukhara is situated to the west of Samarkand and at one time was famous for being a centre of Islamic learning.