Uzbekistan

A central Asian Jewel having profound history and culture.

Uzbekistan is one of the countries of Central Asia, which gathers in the center of traditions and modernity. A country with its great cities that used to be situated on the well-known Silk Road, Uzbekistan is a land of very impressive historical and cultural monuments. Uzbekistan has all the attractions and features of the ancient cities of Samarkand and Bukhara, rich nature and a large market where travelers can experience time and get to know the past and the present of Central Asia.

With the help of this detailed guide to Uzbekistan, you will get the necessary information about the uniqueness and charm of this country, as geography, history, culture, economy, and the main attractions of the country will be analyzed in detail.

To obtain all information about Uzbekistan, look at its Wikipedia site to see its detailed history as well as general information. To get the official resource and news visit the official site of Uzbekistan

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Geographical Location

Uzbekistan is a central Asian landlocked country surrounded by Kazakhstan, on the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, Afghanistan to the south, and Turkmenistan to the west. With an area of 447,400 square kilometers, it is also one of the largest countries in Central Asia. The Silk Road has traditionally connected Uzbekistan as a trade, cultural and civilizational meeting point between the east and the west.

The physical geography of the country mostly features plains, large and dry desert regions, including the Kyzylkum Desert in the north of the country, and green agricultural zones, such as the Amu Darya and Syr Darya valleys that have been cultivated since ancient times. On the east, there are also picturesque mountains characterized in Uzbekistan such as the Tian Shan mountain range which gives a beautiful contrast to the historical cities of Uzbekistan.

Topography and Features of Nature

Uzbekistan is famous for the variety of its geography. The country is uniquely endowed with desert landscape which is caused by the Kyzylkum Desert covering the western sector and the Ustyurt Plateau which covers the northern direction. Yet it is also the location of fertile agricultural belts lying in the valleys of Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers. These regions are famous as regions which produce cotton, fruits and vegetables.

Fergana Valley is an eastern region in the country and is one of the most productive lands in Central Asia in terms of agriculture with its fruit orchards and cotton crops. Tian Shan mountains form a natural boundary with Kyrgyzstan and present panoramic views and numerous preserved animals and plant species.

Old history and the silent road An ancient history And the silent road:

The Uzbekistan land has a history of thousands of years and has a plethora of diversities which are well documented. It had some of the oldest civilizations of the world as well such as those that evolved around the ancient cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. These cities were even among the most significant cultural and trade centers along the Silk Road that served as the historic trade route between China and Europe as well as the Middle East.

In ancient times, Uzbekistan was dominated by Persians, Greek and Mongols which influenced the culture there. The cities of a country were places of meeting merchants, philosophers, and scholars coming to the country, to exchange goods, ideas and technologies.

The Timurid Empire

Tamerlane (or Timur) was a Mongol warlord who had established the Timurid Empire in the 14th century and is the most well-known character in Uzbek history. The memory of Timur can be found especially in Samarkand, where he had turned it into a magnificent cultural, architectural and intellectual city. The factors that surround his vision, not to mention the opulence of the empire, can be seen in the Registan Square, Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum and Shah-i-Zinda complex in Samarkand.

Soviet and Independence

Released in the early 20 th century, Uzbekistan became a part of the Soviet Union and in this era, the nation undergone important changes involving the growth of the industry and farming among others the advancement of the transportation of cotton. But alongside the suppression of various traditional ways during the Soviet period there also occurred the reorganization of the Uzbek society.

Uzbekistan got its independence in 1991 after splitting up with the Soviet Union and Islam Karimov was elected as the first president of the country. The nation experienced a radical political as well as economical change in which it wanted to have an identity and sovereignty on its own. After Karimov died in the year 2016, Shavkat Mirziyoyev took over as the president and he rolled out reforms which were aimed at modernizing the economy, enhancing friendly ties with neighboring nations and expanding political liberties.

Religious and cultural diversity

Uzbekistan is a multinational country with a diverse population. Uzbeks (about 80 percent of the population) form the major part of the population with Tajiks and Kazaks, Karakalpaks, and Russians being considerable groups as well. Uzbek is the official language, but Russian is also quite common, both in business as well as in government.

The religion that is predominant in Uzbekistan is Islam with most people holding the belief of Sunni Islam. Sufism also has an abundant heritage in the country, as numerous Islamic mystics and poets are its natives. The religious traditions of Uzbekistan, however, do not exclude the long history of secularism and the adherence of the country to its premise of modernity mixed with tradition.

Practices and Traditions A cultural practice is a custom that appears in a uniform way or mode. They are a sharing of practices or traditions which are similar in nature. This means that they have a shared way of expression.

Uzbek culture is something that can be characterized by traditions which have several generations in their background. Uzbeks have rich traditions of music and dance and the music and folk dances are usually performed during festivals or celebrations of the Uzbeks such as traditional maqom music, folk dances and shashmaqam. Uzbek art is also famous, especially as miniatures, pottery and carpet weaving.

Uzbek culture revolves around food and such food plays an important role in its culture as plov (rice with meat and vegetables), shashlik (grilled meat) and samsa (a savoury pastry) are some of the more important foods in the Uzbek diet. Tea is the treasured drink, and the traditional tea houses, or chaikhana, are the focal point in the social life.

Festivals and holidays

There are many cultural and religious festivals in Uzbekistan. Among holidays, the most significant and well known in the country is Nowuz, which is Persian New Year celebrated by festivals, music, dance, and feasts. Others such as Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr are also celebrated as well as Independence Day on September 1, which celebrates the independence of the Uzbekistan state, following independence of the Soviet Union.

Farming and Cotton Farming

The economy of Uzbekistan is traditionally agricultural based and the country ranks among the biggest cotton producers in the world. The cotton industry has dominated the economy but it has been blamed in terms of use of forced labor and environmental issues especially shrinking of the Aral Sea.

The government has embarked on the process of diversifying the economy where the over-dependence on cotton was minimized and more agricultural products added (fruits, vegetables and wheat). Another significant field of Uzbekistan is silk production and the long history of silk weaving in the country is still kept alive.

Energy and industry

Uzbekistan is known to have a lot of natural resources represented by natural gas, gold and uranium. The nation has large deposits of natural gas and it is the largest producer of natural gas globally. The government is also struggling to diversify its energy industry and come up with industries concerning mining, construction, and manufacturing.

Tourism, culture and heritage

Tourism nowadays is one of the most rapidly developing spheres in the economy of Uzbekistan, as travelers become attracted by its antique cities, historical and cultural attractions, and abundant cultural life. The cities including Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are also UNESCO World Heritage cities with their beautiful Mosques, Madrasas, and Islamic architecture which appeals to the historians and architecture lovers.

The government has started planning to expand tourism such as building facilities and bettering regulations of visas. There is also an increase in the popularity of ecotourism as the visitors are interested in viewing the natural beauty of the country and particularly the Fergana Valley and Aral Sea region.

Lands painting the history, cultural landmarks

Registan Square (Samarkand) – the magnificent square of the city of Samarkand is surrounded by three great madrasa and is considered one of the most famous landmarks of Central Asia, declared as the UNESCO World Heritage.

Bukhara – Bukhara is a city that contains elements of the Islamic architecture since it is filled with old mosques, madrasas, and Ark Fortress.

Khiva – Khiva is another UNESCO World Heritage site and a historical city and it has well preserved ancient walls and architecture which is an indication of the city in the Silk Road.

Natural Attractions

Fergana valley- The Fergana valley is a beautiful place, which is characterised by green fertile fields that gives tourists an opportunity to visit the agricultural core of Uzbekistan.

Aral Sea-The area although most parts of the sea have dried over the years because of mismanagement of the environment, is an interesting place of interest to one who wants to have stories about environmental happenings of the land.

Tian Shan Mountains – It is located to the east of the nation where hiking can be performed, beautiful scenery can be viewed and parts of the natural beauty of Uzbekistan can be reached.

Healthcare System

The healthcare system in Uzbekistan is also on its way to improvement as the government is struggling to modernize existing infrastructure and enhance services. Healthcare is publicly funded in the country, but urban areas have some of their own private medical facilities. The government has focussed on efforts to enhance maternal and child health, and alleviation of communicable diseases.

Education System

Uzbekistan has advanced a lot when it comes to education where the government has invested much in primary education, secondary education and higher education. The kindergarten, as well as education until the 9th grade, is free and compulsory; there are also many universities in the country, the Tashkent State University, and the Samarkand State University.

Ideal Seasons

Uzbekistan has mild weather during spring (April to June) and fall (September to November) months which are the best time to visit the country. Summer seasons are very hot, and especially in the desert regions, and winter seasons in the northern regions are very cold.

Fests and Events

In case you have an interest in cultural events you should come to see Uzbek culture and festivities on Persian New Year (Nowruz) or Independence Day.

Conclusion: 

Uzbekistan is a state where you can find an interesting mixture of deep historical background, rich culture and modern progress. Having a rich history of the Silk Road, marvelous architecture, vast landscapes, Uzbekistan is an absolutely place, where everyone will be eager to visit Central Asian roots of the world. With the further growth and development that the country is experiencing, the country is set to become an even bigger participant in the world market, and the culture and historical objects of the country will be even more attractive to tourists of other nations.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to go to Uzbekistan?

The most appropriate time to visit the country of Uzbekistan is during the months of April to June or September to November when the weather is reasonably good to venture into sightseeing.

What are the most popular sights in Uzbekistan?

The most popular tourist sites are Registan Square (Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva).

Which languages are spoken there in Uzbekistan?

Their official language is Uzbek, and Russian is also widespread.

On what is the economy of Uzbekistan grounded?

The economy in Uzbekistan is founded on agriculture (cotton, fruits, vegetables), natural resources (natural gas, gold) as well as nowadays tourism.

Is Uzbekistan a safe tourist destination?

The answer is yes because Uzbekistan is a safe country in which to visit. Crime is low and the people are welcoming.

Which cultural festivals do I have to encounter in Uzbekistan?

To get a great cultural experience you should not miss Nowruz (Persian New Year) and Independence Day.