Why Uzbekistan?
First of all, Uzbekistan is politically stable. Confidence in tomorrow and consistency of reform in all field of public and political life is seen everywhere. It is the state where representatives of more than a hundred ethnic groups and dozens of religions live in peace and harmony.
Famous cities of Bukhara, Khiva and Samarkand demonstrate the massive historical heritage and importance of this region. One can visit the cities and feel transported back to the times of “1001 Nights”. Experience the unique atmosphere in open air city museums; watch amazing historical building, taste authentic local cuisine. Explore medieval Khiva, noble Bukhara, ancient Samarkand, picturesque desert steppes, snow peaked mountains and modern Tashkent. Learn culture, history and lives of locals and dive into this unexpected yet amazing world of adventures.
Our Five Reasons To Visit Uzbekistan
- Architecture – Ancient archaeological remains, impressive Islamic monuments and stark Soviet buildings sit together with one another in Uzbekistan, a constant reminder of the nation’s vibrant and indeed lengthy history.
- Culture – Hospitable people, great family traditions, inimitable traditions of this country will surely leave you with plentiful impressions. Uzbekistan is a secular state with majority of population Muslim will give you the feel of Central Asia’s unparalleled culture.
- History – Uzbekistan’s history is dominated by famous conquerors, including Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and the unstoppable Tamerlane. Islam took root, slowly, and Soviet rule dominated, oppressively.
- Bazaars – The bazaars and markets of Uzbekistan are vibrant, raucous and thrilling, with the national pastime of haggling employed with great energy. Start low and enjoy the banter!
- Silk Road Cities – The names of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva inspire today the same excitement and allure as they have done to Silk Road travellers for hundreds of years.
General Information
Geographical Location:
Doubly landlocked state in Central Asia. Area of 448,7 sq km and borders with Kazakhstan , Kirgizstan , Tajikistan, Turkmenistan & Afghanistan.
Landscape:
Mixture of plain and mountainous lands. The highest point is at 4643 m above the sea level. It hosts part of the 16th largest desert – Kyzyl-Kum.
Climate:
Sharply continental, characterized by high amplitude of day and night, summer and winter temperatures. An average temperature in January is -6C, while the average temperature in July may rise above +40C. Average annual rainfall on plains is 120-200 mm and on mountains 1000mm.
Water:
The largest rivers are Amudarya and Syrdarya. The total length of Amudarya is 1437 km, that of Syrdarya — 2137 km. The majority of the rivers of Uzbekistan desiccate in their streams, only Amudarya and Syrdarya fall into the Aral Sea.
Soil & flora:
Desert vegetation is prevalent on plains, while mountainous areas are covered with steppe, forests and mountain meadows.
Fauna:
The country’s fauna is quite diverse: there are rare antelopes saygak and giant lizards that can reach 1.5 meters in length. In the mountains, there are snow leopards and rare species of mountain goats.
Mountains:
It comprise 1/5 of the territory of Uzbekistan. Western Tyan Shan and Pamir- Alay ranges.
Natural resource:
Natural gas, lignite, gold, copper, oil, tungstein and bismuth. Uzbekistan secures leading positions in the world in confirmed stocks of such minerals as gold, uranium, copper, natural gas, tungsten, potassium salts, phosphorite, and kaolin. Hence, for example, the Republic occupies the fourth place in stocks of gold, and the seventh in gold mining, the tenth/eleventh place — in copper stocks, the eighth — in uranium stocks, and eleventh/twelfth place in uranium mining.
Population:
It is about 30.7 million (as of July 2014) of which 51% live in urban settlement. More than 100 ethnic groups live in the republic in harmony.
National Holidays:
1 Jan (New Year’s Day), 14 Feb (National Defenders’ Day), 8 Mar (International Women’s Day), 21 Mar (Navrouz Celebrations), 9 May (Remembrance Day), 1 Sep (Independence Day), 1 Oct (Teachers’ & Educators’ Day), 8 Dec (Constitution Day), Ramadan Hayit and Qurbon Hayit.
Structure:
Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan, 12 provinces, 226 cities and districts.
Cuisine:
There are over thousands dishes in variety. Fruits and vegetables grown under the tender oriental sun and taste fantastic. There are about two dozens of Plov prepared in different way in every region. The nutrient content and naturally pure of local ingredients is unique. The traditional dishes not be described, it has to be tasted.
Other:
Capital: Tashkent; Time zone: +0500 GMT; internet TLD: .uz; calling code: +998
The State Symbols
The Republic of Uzbekistan has its own state symbols — the flag, the emblem, and the anthem sanctioned by law. The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Article 5.
State Flag of Uzbekistan
The law about «The State Flag of the Republic of Uzbekistan» was adopted on November 18 in 1991.
The national flag of the Republic is a right-angled colored cloth of three horizontal stripes: blue, white and green.
Blue is the symbol of the sky and water, which are the main source of life. Mainly blue was the color of the state flag of Temur.
White is the traditional symbol of peace and good luck, as people say “Ok yul”.
Green is the color of nature and new life and good harvest.
Two thin red stripes symbolize the power of life.
There is a crescent, which symbolizes the newly independent Republic.
There are twelve stars, which stand for spiritual sign. The stars also signify the historical traditions of the Uzbek people, as well as ancient solar calendar. A particular attention to twelve stars in the flag is explained yet by another suggestion, that in the states previously existed in the territory of modern Uzbekistan the scientific thought as «Astrology» had seen its rise. The stars in the Uzbek flag also point to the ancient roots of local culture, the aspirations of Uzbek people towards perfection and loyalty.
The State Coats of Arms
The state Coats of Arms of the Republic was adopted on July 2, 1992. The new state emblem of the Republic of Uzbekistan was created to reflect the many centuries of experience of the people.
It presents the image of the rising sun over a flourishing valley. Two rivers run through the valley, representing the Syrdarya and Amudarya. The emblem is bordered by wheat on the right side and branches of cotton with opened cotton bolls on the left side.
The eight-angle star is at the top of the emblem, symbolizing the unity and confirmation of the republic. The crescent and star inside the eight-pointed star are the sacred symbols of Islam. The mythical bird Semurg with outstretched wings is placed in the center of the emblem as the symbol of the national Renaissance. The entire composition aims to express to desire of the Uzbek people for peace, happiness and prosperity. At the bottom of the emblem inscribed the word «Uzbekistan» written in Uzbek on a ribbon in the national colors of the flag.