The Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzbek: Oʻzbekiston Respublikasi, English: Republic of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan), abbreviated as Uzbekistan, is a landlocked country located in Central Asia, with Russian as the lingua franca.
It is one of the two doubly landlocked countries in the world, with a population of 36.8 million (as of January 2024). There are more than 130 ethnic groups, 83.8% of which are Uzbeks, 2.3% are Russians, 4.8% are Tajiks, and 2.5% are Kazakhs, with a land area of 448,900 square kilometers, the capital of Tashkent, and the country is divided into 1 republic, 12 oblasts and 1 municipality.
Uzbekistan is known as the "Land of Platinum", and the white gold in quotation marks here is not really precious metal white gold, but white cotton. Uzbekistan ranks sixth in the world in cotton production and is one of the "four golds" of the pillar industries of the national economy. The "four golds" are gold, "platinum" (cotton), "black gold" (oil), and "blue gold" (natural gas), and the amount of natural gas extraction ranks 11th in the world.
Uzbekistan is also the world's 7th largest gold producer and a significant producer of natural gas, coal, copper, oil, silver and uranium in the region. The country is also a unique example of a smooth transition from a planned economy to a market economy.
geographical location
Uzbekistan is a "double landlocked country" located in the heart of Central Asia, with no access to the sea for itself and its five neighboring countries. It is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north and northeast, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east and southeast, Turkmenistan to the west, and Afghanistan to the south. It covers an area of 448,900 square kilometers.
The eastern part of Uzbekistan is mountainous, with an altitude of 1,500-3,000 meters above sea level and a peak of 4,643 meters; The central and western regions are plains, basins and deserts, with an altitude of 0-1000 meters, accounting for about 2/3 of the country's land area. The average altitude of the whole territory is 200-400 meters.
Uzbekistan has a continental climate with severe aridity. Winters are cold, with constant rain and snow; The summer is hot, dry and rainless, and the days are hot and the nights are cool. The average temperature in January is -5°C (north) and -3°C (south), and the lowest temperature on the ground can reach -30°C at the coldest time; The average daytime temperature in July is 36°C, and the maximum temperature can reach around 45°C at the hottest. Annual precipitation is 90-580 mm in the plains and 460-910 mm in the mountains. The rainy season is mainly in spring and autumn.
Uzbekistan is rich in resources, with a total value of about 3.5 trillion US dollars in mineral resource reserves. Nearly 100 kinds of mineral products have been proven. Among them, the proven reserves of gold are 3,350 tons (ranking fourth in the world). There are 100 million tons of proven oil reserves, 190 million tons of condensate, 3.4 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, 1.9 billion tons of coal, 185,800 tons of uranium reserves (ranking 7th in the world), copper, tungsten and other mineral deposits.
national flag
The flag of Uzbekistan is a horizontal rectangle with a ratio of length to width of 2:1. From top to bottom, the flag is composed of light blue, white and light green stripes with two red edges. To the left of the light blue stripe is a white crescent moon and twelve white stars (three rows, 3, 4, 5 in each row).
Blue is the color of the Turks and the color of Timur's banner: blue also symbolizes the eternal sky, pure water. White symbolizes the prayer for peace and going out safely, and symbolizes the purification struggle of thought and action. Green is the color of nature, the color of new life, and it is also the color of Islam. The red border symbolizes exuberant vitality, connecting the idea of goodness, the eternal firmament, and the actions of the earth. The crescent moon symbolizes a new republic. The 12 stars symbolize the 12 months of the year and the zodiac signs, symbolizing self-improvement.
national emblem
The national emblem of Uzbekistan is circular with an auspicious bird spreading its wings on the circular surface, the rising sun and the turquoise fields in the background, an eight-pointed star at the top of the circle, a crescent moon and a five-pointed star painted on the inner side of the circle, and cotton peaches and ears of wheat tied with the ribbons of the national flag colors on both sides of the circle.
Administrative divisions
The country is divided into 1 autonomous republic (Karakalpakstan Autonomous Republic), 1 municipality (Tashkent) and 12 oblasts: Andijan, Bukhara, Jizzak, Kashkadarya, Navoi, Namangan, Samarkand, Surkhan Oblast, Syr Darya Oblast, Tashkent Oblast, Fergana Oblast, Khorezm Oblast.
The capital, Tashkent, covers an area of 334 square kilometers and is the political, economic, financial, commercial, cultural, educational and transportation center of the city. Tashkent is also the most economically developed city in Ukraine, with GDP accounting for 18.4% of GDP, of which the tertiary industry accounts for 54.4% of the city's total output value, and the rest is industry, accounting for 45.6%. Tashkent is located in the city of Tashkent, where all major ministries and commissions of Uzbekistan, embassies and representative offices of foreign and international organizations in Ukraine, and headquarters of large state-owned enterprises and foreign-funded enterprises in Uzbekistan are located. The permanent population is 2.955 million (as of January 2023). The average temperature in January is 0°C, and in July the average temperature is 28°C.
Other major economic and tourist cities are Samarkand, Bukhara, and Namangan. Samarkand is the capital of Samarkand Oblast, a famous tourist city, located on the banks of the Zeravshan River, with a railway distance of 270 kilometers from the northeast to the capital Tashkent and 249 kilometers from the border of Afghanistan in the south. It has an area of 51.9 square kilometers and a population of 540,000.
Uzbekistan is a multi-ethnic country consisting of 130 ethnic groups. Of these, 80 per cent are Uzbeks, 5.5 per cent are Russians, 4 per cent are Tajiks, 3 per cent are Kazakhs, 2.5 per cent are Karakalpak, 1.5 per cent are Tatars, 1 per cent are Kyrgyz and 0.7 per cent are Koreans. In addition, there are Turkmen, Ukrainian, Uyghur, Armenian, Turkish, Belarusian, etc.
tourism
Tourist attractions in Uzbekistan include the Ferghana Basin, the Ulugh Beg Observatory, the Bukhara Historical Centre, the Shahri Suboz Historical Centre, and the Tashkent Earthquake Monument.
1. Ferghana Basin
Located at the junction of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, it is an intermountain basin of the Tien Shan Mountains and the Gisar-Alai Mountains.
2. Ulughgh Beg Observatory
Located on the northeastern outskirts of Samarkand, it was built in 1428-1429 by Timur's grandson Ulugh Beg, one of the most influential observatories in the Middle Ages.
3. The historic center of Bukhara
The city of Bukhara is known as the "Museum City" with palaces and mosques built by various dynasties. Historically a religious and trade center, it is now the capital of Bukhara Oblast.
4. Shahli Suboz Historic Centre
About 140 kilometers south of Samarkand, it is the home of Samarkand's ruler Timur and is recognized as the birthplace of a unique culture, architectural style and school of architecture.
5. Tashkent Earthquake Monument
Located in the center of Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, it is also known as the Monument to Valor, which was built to commemorate the victims of the Tashkent earthquake on April 26, 1966.
In addition, Samarkand, the old town of Tashkent, Chusu Bazaar, Hazroti Imom Square, Emir Timurid Square, and the Central Asian Pilaf Center are also worth visiting.
delicacies
Uzbekistan's gastronomic culture is rich and diverse, blending the culinary traditions of Central Asia, Persia and Turkey, and is characterized by rich spices and unique flavors. Representative cuisines of Uzbekistan include:
1、抓饭（Palov Osh）
It is one of the most popular foods in Uzbekistan and consists mainly of rice, carrots, lamb, etc., and is prepared with a rigorous process and an evocative blend of ingredients and spices. There are more than 40 varieties of pilaf, such as quail pilaf and black pilaf, reflecting the region's long-standing culinary traditions.
2. Bake steamed buns
Uzbekistan enjoys the reputation of "national dish", when making baked buns, the stuffing is filled with lamb and vegetables, and the buns are directly pasted on the inner wall of the traditional round clay oven to bake, because butter is added to the skin and pressed repeatedly, and after baking, it is layered and crispy.
3. Pilaf
It is one of the most beloved and proud dishes of Uzbekistan and is an indispensable dish for hospitality and festivals, mainly made with rice, meat, carrots and onions. The choice of pilaf is diverse, ranging from vegetarian to meaty, and the flavor and nutrition are also unique depending on the condiment.
4. Faceted lungs
It is a traditional Uzbek pasta dish that involves pouring dough into the lungs of sheep and cooking it to become soft and springy, and is one of the traditional snacks loved by Uzbeks.
5. Roasted naan
There is an old saying in Central Asia, "It is better to be without meat for three days than without naan for a day". Roasted naan is a delicacy born by nomads for the convenience of travel, which is simple, convenient and practical to make, and has a long storage time. There are many kinds of baked naan in Uzbekistan, and every household has its own way of making it.
Uzbekistan's gastronomic culture is rich and colorful, and the variety of cuisines is not only delicious, but also has a unique cultural connotation and historical background. When traveling, tourists may wish to taste these delicacies and experience the unique charm of Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan, a fascinating country, attracts tourists with its rich history, magnificent natural beauty, gastronomic tours, friendly people and unique folklore. If you haven't been to Uzbekistan yet, plan a trip and experience the country for yourself.