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About Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a landlocked country located in Central Asia. It has its capital city in Tashkent. The country was a Soviet Socialist Republic from 1924 till 1991 although the country has since moved on from the Russian Federation politically. The country is about the size of Sweden with mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert landscape. The landscape also includes sand dunes. Over half of Uzbekistan is covered by deserts. The cities of Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand are three of the ancient Silk Road's most important destinations.

The country is described as having a continental climate, with hot summers and cool winters. It is best to visit the country during spring and autumn (April to May and September to early November). During this periods, it is warm and dry but not uncomfortably hot as it is in the summer. Uzbek women dress pretty conservatively but a lot of women (especially in the larger cities) wear modern clothing. Tourists also wear modern clothing.

The official language of the country is Uzbek and Russian is also largely spoken. The country is a largely Sunni Islam nation with about 93% of it's inhabitants identifying with this sect. About 1% of its inhabitants belong to the Shi'a Muslim school and Christianity is the other religion with about 7% of the country identifying as Christians. About 80% of the country's population are Uzbeks, about 10% are from other Central Asian nations and about 10% are the Russians and other Slavic nations. The Uzbeks are of Turkic origin.

Uzbek cuisine features lots of bread and noodles as grain farming is quite common place in the country. Uzbeks favor mutton, the have an abundance of sheep so it's only natural. Their national dish is palov, a meal consisting of rice, pieces of meat, grated carrots and onions. Although Uzbekistan is a largely Muslim country, only the strictest Muslims refrain from alcohol consumption. The country has a long history of drinking owing a largely to its Soviet history. There are many delicious natural fruits and vegetables in Uzbekistan. Green tea is the national hot beverage in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan is so impressive in it's historical position that it has five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There are several tourism worthy locations in the country and a few are:
  • Samarkand: This is one of the ancient cities the country is famous for aptly dubbed the "Crossroad of Cultures". Samarkand is so historically rich that archaeological excavations have revealed a history which dates back 3500 years. This city was conquered by Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan and played a major role in the development of Islamic architecture and arts
  • Khiva: This was the first UNESCO Heritage Site and was inscribed in 1990. The inner part of the city is surrounded by thick mud walls which make it nearly impossible to believe one did not time travel to the past. It contains 51 monuments and feels very much like an open air museum. One of the sons of the city is none other than the scholar Al-Khoresmi, the father of algebra. 
  • Amir Timur Museum, Tashkent: The country's national hero is the infamous conqueror of old, Amir Timur. The museum located in the capital city of Uzbekistan boasts over 5,000 exhibits and artifacts related to Timur and the dynasty that followed after him, the Timurid Dynasty.
  • Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent: This is a traditional bazaar located in the center of Tashkent. It's pretty hard to miss too since it is a blue-doomed building. This spot is popular among both the locals and tourists as everything from clothes to souvenirs and delicious foods are sold here.

An interesting fact is that Uzbekistan has the fourth largest gold deposit in the world, mining 80 tons of gold annually.
There are several hotels in Uzbekistan ranging from budget to luxury and so tourists shouldn't face too much of a problem getting suitable accommodation. 

Facts about Uzbekistan

Capital:

Tashkent

Languages Spoken:

Uzbek,Russian

Demonym:

Uzbekistani

Currency Name:

Uzbekistani so'm

Currency Code:

UZS

Currency Symbol:

How do I travel out of Uzbekistan?

Get Visa from Uzbekistan

For Uzbekistanis looking to travel out of the country. You can check out the list of destinations, how to Get Uzbekistan visa to those countries, Embassies in Uzbekistan and Visa Free Countries for Uzbekistani passport holders

Common Questions Travellers Ask About Uzbekistan

Q: Is Uzbekistan safe for visiting?


A: Since it is a landlocked country, the country's biggest threat to safety is border issues. Areas bordering Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Tajik, Kyrgyz, and Kyrgyzstan should be approached with utmost caution.

Q: Does it snow in Uzbekistan?


A: During the winter, snow fall is very common. However, the snow melts away quite fast.

Q: What is Uzbekistan's official unit of currency?


A: The country's official unit if currency is the Uzbekistani so'm.

Q: How safe is Uzbekistan for female travelers?


A: Uzbekistan is fairly more friendly towards gender equality than a lot of it's neighbors. Women here do not wear the veil and the atmosphere seems a lot more relaxed with regard to how they are treated. Also, unwanted attention is truly not a problem here as a firm "no" seems to do the trick.

Q: On what side of the road do Uzbeks drive?


A: Uzbeks drive on the right side of the road.

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