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Uzbekistan
Area: 447, 8 thous.sq km (roughly the size of Sweden).
Capital: Tashkent.
Time: GMT + 5:00.
Country Code: +998.
Languages: Uzbek, Russian, Tajik, Karakalpak.
Money sum: US$1 = 1311 sum (August 2008).
Population: 27 million (50,4 people per square kilometer), ( the most populous in Central Asia, more than 60 %).
Phrases: Hello (assalomu aleykum); Thank you (rakhmat), good bye ( khayr).
Ethnic Groups: 80% Uzbek, 5% Tajik, 5% Russian and 7% others.
Location and geography.
The Republic of Uzbekistan the ‘land of the Uzbeks' lies in the heart of Asia, between the two major rivers of Central Asia, the Syr Darya (Jaxartes) and the Amu Darya (Oxus), in the territory known since ancient times as Bactria, Maverannahr ( the land beyond the river), and later on as Turkestan. Uzbekistan forms the very centre of ex-Soviet Central Asia, for it alone boarders on each of the new republics - Kazakhstan to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east and southeast, Turkmenistan to the southwest, as well as Afghanistan to the south.
Administratively the republic consists of the republic of Karakalpakistan (Capital - Nukus town territory - 166,59 thousand sq.km. Population - 1551, 9 thousand people) and 12 regions (Andijan, Bukhara, Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, Navoi, Namangan, Samarkand, Surkhandarya, Sirdarya, Tashkent, Ferghana, Khorezm).
Uzbekistan's blend of desert, steppe, oases and river valleys places it at the heart of the complex interaction of nomadic culture and oasis settlement that patterns the history of Central Asia. Most of the territory of Uzbekistan is occupied by plains (near four fifth of the territory). One of the main is the Turanian plain (lowland). There is one of the largest deserts of the world - the Kizilkum desert on the north of central part of the territory of Uzbekistan. In the east and northeast of the country are situated spurs of Tien - Shan and the Pamirs, here is the highest spot of the country (4 643 м).
Climate.
Uzbekistan is a dry country aptly termed ‘the sunny republic', as every year brings over 300 days of sunshine and 300 millimeters (12 inches) of rainfall. The climate is classified as continental, with hot summers and cool winters. Summer temperatures often surpass 40 degrees above zero; winter temperatures average about minus 23 degrees, but may fall as low as low as minus 40.
History.
Rich archaeological remains in the area preserve an intriguing mix of Hellenistic, Buddhist and Scythian influences in the laconic desert castles of Khorezm and Bactria and trace a development to the rich Sogdian palaces and wall paintings of Varakhsha and Afrosiyab. But it was the arrival of Islam in the eighth century and its alien synthesis of styles that transformed the face of Central Asia as much as its soul.
The most powerful Kushan Empire and the kingdom of Seleucids, the Parthian Kingdom and the kingdom of Kwarazm, the state of Samanids and Tamerlane, the Bukhara Emirate, Khiva and Kokand Khanates once flourished in this region. The cities of Samarkand and Bukhara served as major centers of trade and enlightenment on the crossroads of the Great Silk Road linking the civilizations of the East and the West. The route took its name from silk, the commodity most in demand in Europe from China during the Roman period.
Economy.
In addition to beautiful landscapes and great history, Uzbekistan is also the world's fourth - largest cotton nation, world's seventh - largest gold producer and harbors significant reserves of oil and natural gas, as well as uranium, silver, copper, zinc, coal and lead. Other mainstays of Uzbek economy include fruit and vegetables, animal husbandry and textiles, but it is the republic's mineral wealth that most excites foreign investors.
The political system.
The political system of Uzbekistan is based on its Constitution in accordance to which the highest legislative body is a bicameral parliament - Senate and Oliy Madjlis (Supreme Council).The President who heads both the State and the Government is elected for seven years by universal suffrage through direct ballot.
Tash. | And. | Bukh. | Gul. | Djiz. | Karshi | Navoi | Nam. | Nakus | Sam. | Term. | Ferg. | Urg. | |
Tash | 447 | 616 | 118 | 203 | 558 | 509 | 432 | 1255 | 354 | 708 | 419 | 1119 | |
And. | 447 | 784 | 375 | 421 | 668 | 669 | 67 | 1342 | 516 | 892 | 73 | 1566 | |
Bukh. | 616 | 784 | 485 | 363 | 161 | 125 | 778 | 558 | 268 | 434 | 749 | 503 | |
Gul. | 118 | 375 | 465 | 106 | 353 | 254 | 369 | 1027 | 201 | 557 | 340 | 1001 | |
Djiz. | 203 | 421 | 363 | 106 | 247 | 248 | 415 | 921 | 95 | 471 | 386 | 916 | |
Karshi | 558 | 668 | 161 | 353 | 247 | 241 | 662 | 719 | 152 | 273 | 663 | 664 | |
Navoi | 509 | 669 | 125 | 354 | 248 | 241 | 663 | 383 | 153 | 477 | 634 | 610 | |
Nam. | 432 | 67 | 778 | 369 | 415 | 662 | 663 | 1336 | 510 | 886 | 85 | 1552 | |
Nakus | 1255 | 1342 | 558 | 1027 | 921 | 719 | 683 | 1336 | 826 | 992 | 1307 | 136 | |
Sam. | 354 | 516 | 268 | 201 | 95 | 152 | 153 | 510 | 826 | 376 | 481 | 765 | |
Term. | 708 | 892 | 434 | 577 | 471 | 273 | 477 | 886 | 992 | 376 | 857 | 937 | |
Ferg. | 419 | 73 | 749 | 340 | 386 | 633 | 634 | 85 | 1307 | 481 | 857 | 1538 | |
Urg. | 1119 | 1566 | 503 | 1001 | 916 | 664 | 610 | 1552 | 136 | 765 | 937 | 1538 |
The distance between cities is indicated in km.
Sports in Uzbekistan
State Symbols
Anecdotes from Hodja Nasreddin
Famous people of Uzbekistan
Education
The Great Silk Road
Uzbeks
Uzbek Bazaars
The Uzbek Cuisine and tea ceremony
The Uzbek weddings
National holidays
The Uzbek Language
Museums
Karakul sheep and karakul pelts
Aral Sea
Visa regulations
Uzbekistan
Tashkent
Bukhara
Samarkand
Shahrisabz
Khiva
Termez
Ferghana Valley
Nurata
Muynak
Karshi
Diplomatic and Consular Missions of Uzbekistan