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Formal name: The Republic of Uzbekistan

Location of Uzbekistan: The Republic of Uzbekistan is situated in the central part of Central Asia between two rivers: Amu Darya and Syr Darya. There are Turan Lowland in the northwest, and Tien-Shan and Pamir-Alay mountain ridges in the southeast of the territory. Kyzyl Kum Desert is in the North. Uzbekistan borders Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tadjikistan, and with short distance with Afghanistan in the south.

Capital: Tashkent

Area: total 448.900 km2 ( land: 425.400 km2, water: 22,000 km2 )

Population: more than 34,5 million people; density of population: 50.1 per sq.km. Almost 80% of its population is Uzbeks; 5.5% Russians, 5% Tajiks, 3% Kazakhs; 2.5% Karakalpakstan; Tatar 1.5%; others 2.5%.

Language: Uzbek is the state language, widely used: Russian, Tajik, Karakalpak, Kazakh, and English also is getting popular among young generation.

Administrative and Territorial Structure: 12 regions and Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan

Religion: Islam 88% (mostly Sunnis); Christian Orthodox 9% and others 3% (Judaists, Buddhists, Catholics, Protestants, etc.)

Currency: Uzbek Soum

Climate: GMT +05:00

The climate of Uzbekistan is extremely continental with a great number of sunny days. Average monthly temperature in January is from 10 to +3oC. Summer is hot and dry. Average monthly temperature in July is from +35 to +45oC. Autumn is warm enough and is the season when delicious fruits and vegetables are in abundance in numerous bazaars (markets). Average annual temperature is 13oC.: Show more

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About Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is located in the heart of Central Asia, between two large rivers Amu Darya and Syr Darya. History of nations, living on this territory, is more than thousand years. This land became the motherland of civilization, which is perhaps one of the most ancient in the world. History of Uzbekistan is the history of individuals and great nations, bloody conquests and large rebellions; it is the history of origin of the most beautiful cities in Central Asia; it is the history of people, who wholeheartedly loved their homeland.

It is a truly fantastic country to fall in love with at first sight. The beauty of its nature is fascinating: emerald green foliage on a background of blue sky and white clouds. The number of ancient monuments and their beauty and architecture impress the mind: the oriental palaces with domes and minarets gazing upward. A distinctive national character: the culture, customs, traditions, cuisine are deeply fascinating. In short, it is impossible to stay away from anything that offers this amazing country.

Visiting Uzbekistan - it is a unique chance to plunge into the ancient history if these place, this huge part of the Great Silk Road, to follow the path of great conquests of the Persians, Greeks, Mongols. It is a great opportunity to see and touch the treasures if material culture – magnificent monuments, surviving through the thickness of centuries as a heritage from different historical periods and dynasties. Many centuries ago, the civilization that existed here gave life to many famous scientists, philosophers, poets and doctors, many of whose output is still used by many intellectuals around the world.

Only here you can find the most sweet, delicious and juicy fruits which ripe under the wicked Asian sun. However, if you a real gourmet, it is a real paradise for gourmets: here you should try all Uzbek cuisine, which became famous much far beyond the borders of our country! This is an amber “plov”, and melting “manti”, crispy “samsa” and of course “non (bread)” which exude the most delicious smell of bread. And this is a small part of what Uzbekistan conceals there – a real oriental tale, living according to today’s rules.

Tashkent –the star of the East, is the capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the largest city & one of the oldest cities in Central Asia with a population of more than 3 million people. Tashkent was founded more than 2000 years ago.

The city was situated on the crossroad of the Great Silk Road, which helped to connect economical and cultural relations with other countries. The remained monuments of the past have been reflecting the art and culture of the building of different epochs.. The ruins on the hill Mingurik and remaining feudal castles, double-fortified walls and huge towers indicate its considerable age.

In the earliest Chinese sources Tashkent was mentioned as Shi, Chzhemi and Yueni, in the early Middle Ages – Chach and Shashi Dzhach. In the Middle Ages Tashkent became the center of the oasis of agriculture, the city of fine craftsmen. Such ancient buildings as Barakkhan Medressah, Kukaldosh Medressah, Hoja Ahror Vali Mosque, Kaffal Shashiy Masoleum, Kukcha Mosque still adorn the face of the city.

After the terrible earthquake in 1966, the city was almost destroyed; many industrial enterprises, cultural, medical, municipal agencies, and schools were damaged. However, within 3,5 years Tashkent was rebuilt and became one of the most beautiful cities of Central Asia.

Within a few years of independence the Uzbek capital has strongly changed. A large number of fountains decorate squares, streets and parks. Especially the central part of the city is beautified. The buildings, keeping the national identity, look modern and respectable.

Modern Tashkent – is a large railway junction, the center of a dense network of motor and air routes. There is an underground railway with its beautiful, artistically decorated stations. Today Tashkent – is a large cultural and scientific center. There are more than 20 museums, theaters, cinemas, libraries, scientific institutions, universities.The guests of the capital, visiting the markets, shops, souvenir stands, museums or private houses, with pleasure see traditional national handicrafts and art of folklore groups.

Bukhara – the blessed city, is known also as “ Bukharai Sharif” (“Noble Bukhara”) & “Qubbatul Islam” (“Dome of Islam”) in muslim world since ancient times. More than 140 architectural monuments can be found here. It is one of the best examples of well-preserved Islamic cities of Central Asia of the 10th to 17th centuries, with an urban fabric that has remained largely intact.

Bukhara was long an important economic and cultural center in Central Asia. The ancient city served as a major center of Islamic culture for many centuries and became a major cultural center of the Caliphate in the 8th century.

With the exception of a few important vestiges from before the Mongol invasions of Genghis Khan in 1220 and Temur in 1370, the old town bears witness to the urbanism and architecture of the Sheibanid period of Uzbek rule, from the early 16th century onwards. The Ark citadel, rebuilt in the 16th century, has marked the civic center of the town since its earliest days to the present.

Important monuments that survive from early times include the famous Ismail Samanid Masoleum, impressive in its sober elegance and the best surviving example of 10th century architecture in the muslim world. From the 11th century Karakhanid period comes the outstanding Poi-Kalyan minaret, a masterpiece of decoration in brick, along with most of the Magoki Attori mosque and the Chashma Ayub shrine. The Ulugbek medressah is a surviving contribution from Temurid.

With the advent of the Sheibanids came some of the most celebrated buildings of Bukhara: the Poi-Kalyan complex, the Lyabi-Khauz ensemble. Later buildings of Bukhara´s history include monumental medressahs at important crossroads: Taki Sarrafon (Dome of the Moneychangers), Taki Telpak Furushan (Dome of the Headguard Sellers), Toqi Zargaron (Dome of jewelers), and Timi Abdullah Khan.

In the early 17th century fine buildings were added, including a new great mosque, and the imposing Abdulaziz Khan medressah (1652).Of course, every tourist is recommended to visit the beautiful palace of the last Emir of Bukhara, Sitorai Mohi Hosa too.

The Uzbek food

The Uzbek national cuisine has a long history and is closely connected with the Uzbek culture, language, traditions and climatic and geographical conditions. Unlike their geographical neighbours (Kazakhs, Karakalpaks, Kyrgyz and Turkmens), who always led only a nomadic way of life, the Uzbeks in the course of their history have been both nomads and a settled nation.

Uzbekistan has its own special ways of cooking these meals and its own special dishes. The Uzbek national food includes nourishing and aromatic meat dishes, thick soups with fresh vegetables and herbs, exotic sweets and original pastry.

Plov is doubtless the most popular meal in Uzbekistan. It can both be eaten as an ordinary everyday meal and be served on special occasions, religious or secular. Certainly, each region boasts a special recipe. Plovs from Fergana, Samarkand, Bukhara and Tashkent differ mainly in the way of cooking and in the additions to the main ingredients.

Shurpa (soup with large pieces of meat, potatoes and fresh vegetables).

Lagman (a dish consisting of noodles, meat and vegetables, which may be a soup or a second course).

Shashlik – pieces of meat (mutton, beef, pork, liver, fish or vegetables) held together by a skewer and roasted over charcoal.

Mastava (vegetable soup with mutton and rice).

Dimlama (meat stewed with vegetables).

Chuchvara (flaky pasty with meat and vegetables, which may be served as first course).

Samsa is another national meal, which has the form of pasties filled with meat, onion and sheep fat and is also cooked in the tandoor.

Mantys is a traditional dish consisting of large dumplings with meat, pumpkin and herbs steamed in a large pot.

Uzbek bread, which has a round form and is baked in a tandoor, a special clay oven, also varies greatly in shape and taste.