UzbekistanFull country name: Republic of Uzbekistan
Area: 447,400 sq km (172,700 sq mi)
Population: 24.8 million
Capital city: Tashkent (pop 2.1 million)
People: 80% Uzbek, 5.5% Russian, 5% Tajik, 3% Kazakh, 2.5% Karakalpak, 1.5% Tatar
Language: Uzbek, Russian
Religion: 88% Muslim (mostly Sunnis), 9% Eastern Orthodox
Government: Republic
Uzbekistan is situated between the Amu-Darya and Syr-Darya rivers and it is one of the most historically fascinating of the Central Asian republics. Within it are some of the oldest towns in the world, some of the Silk Road's main centers and most of the region's architectural splendors.
Ancient cities of Uzbekistan are located along the ancient Silk Road, the trading route between China and Western countries. The route took its name from silk, good the most salable in Europe during the Roman period. In V- XII centuries Huns and Turks came from the west and brought with them a new religion of Islam. Many mosques and madrassahs were built in Uzbekistan cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva during this period, including remaining structures of the Samanids. Dynasties changed each other and each left its steps in the history and architecture of Uzbekistan.
Today Uzbekistan is well-developed modern state, which has preserved the spirit of antiquity. And if you decide to come here, you can explore:
Tashkent – the capital of Uzbekistan. The city dedicated by poets and portrayed by artists. Contrast of modern architecture and spirit of Orient…
Samarkand – poets of last centuries called it the precious pearl of oriental world and Rome of the East. It’s the treasure of Central Asian culture, which is connected with the cultures of India, Iran, Azerbaijan and other countries.
Bukhara is famous by the most ancient in the world madrassahs, mausoleums and mosques…
Khiva – the last capital of the ancient Khorezm that looks like it is from “Thousand and one night” fairy tale. Memories of recent life are still alive in the palaces and dwellings, old shops and arches, minarets and tombs…
And if you just close your eyes, it’s easy to imagine the caravans of camels stowed by silk cloths, spices and number of outlandish things, coming from China to far countries…
Besides the architecture Uzbekistan attracts by its original culture and unusual everyday life. Just here you could try different kinds of famous Uzbek plov (rice with meat). Uzbeks eat a lot of vegetables, fruits and grapes, as well as fried nuts and almonds. The favorite drink is tea, especially green tea (kok choy) with no sugar. The bread is mainly baked out of wheat flour and has the round shapes.
You can try it yourself. Welcome to Uzbekistan!
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