Republic of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan  is  wonderful country in the center of the Great  Silk Road. It is an independent  country in the heart of Central  Asia. Uzbekistan is a country  with  a stable economy and its own way of development. 

Nowadays, Uzbekistan is one of the stablest and safest country for tourism in Central Asia. Uzbek people are one of the most hospitality people in the world. It is said among the Uzbek people: «Honor your Guest as  your Father» and this tradition is keeped by centuries.

Country  location 

Republic of Uzbekistan located in the heart  of Central Asia between two great  rivers Amudarya and Syrdarya. There are Turan lowland and Tyan-Shyan mountains on the North-West, Altay and Pamir range of mountains on the South-East. There is Kyzylkum desert on the North of Uzbekistan. The highest point above sea level is 4,643 meters (Gyssar range of mountains). The lowest point is -12,8 meters below sea level (Mingbulak deep in the Kyzylkum desert).

Uzbekistan borders with Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Total length  of state borders is 6,621 km.

Territory: 447, 400 km

Capital: Tashkent City

Monument Cities: Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva

The largest rivers: Amudarya and Syrdarya

The biggest water reservoir: Aral sea

Climate

Uzbekistan  has a severely continental climate. Average January temperature is between +4 and -8 degrees, average July temperature is between +22 and +42 degrees. Yearly average rainfall is 90-580mm in the lowland and 460-910mm in the mountains.

According to climate conditions, we recommend you to wear light and comfortable clothes. You can wear jacket or jumper in the chilly evenings. During excursions and visits of see sights, it's better to wear comfrotable shoes with strong platforms. There is a necessity to put off shoes in some religious places and monuments. There is no special dress code to visit religious places except a necessity to cover most parts of body. For tourists it is better to wear comfortable clothes from organic fabrics than fancy ones. There is a possibility of sun burn during the hot season  so it is better to have a panama hat and sun glasses. 

Administrative organization

Uzbekistan has 12 regions: Andijan region, Bukhara region, Djizzak region, Kashkadarya region, Navoyi region, Namangan region, Samarkand region, Surkhadarya region, Tashkent region, Fergana region and Khorezm region. Also there is autonomy Republic of Karakalpakstan and capital of Uzbekistan - Tashkent  City. 

Population 

Population of Uzbekistan is over 30 million of people by July 2017. Population  increased in 180 300 people comparing  with previous year according to National Statistic Department dates. About 15, 219,000 people live in the cities and 14, 516, 700 people live in the countryside.  Ratio of population living in the cities and countryside is 51,2% to 48.8% from the total population number. Uzbekistan is on the 44th place of world's rating by its density of population. 

Language 

National language of Republic  of Uzbekistan  is Uzbek language. But about 80% of population is able to speak Russian. In some regions as Samarkand and Bukhara people natively speak  Tadjik language.

National flag 

National flag has a deep meaning. Blue color is a symbol of sky and clear water. This color is preferable in the East. Once, blue  color was chosen as basic color for flag by Amir Temur.

White color is a symbol of peace and clearness. Also it means light and clear way of Independent country.

Red stripes mean live power, which is inside every human. It's a symbol  of Life.

Green color is a symbol  of Nature. Nowadays  there is a big movement for  protection environment and it's symbol has also green  color. 

Half moon symbolizes many years traditionalism of Uzbekistan. Half moon  and stars symbolize peaceful and cloudless sky.  There are 12 stars on our flag. Number  12 is a number  of perfection. 

National Emblem

In the center of Emblem bird Khumo is described. Khumo bird is a symbol of happiness and freedom. The great Uzbek poet Alisher Navoi described Khumo bird as the kindest creature ever.

On the top part of Emblem there is an octagon symbolizing Republic  establishment. There are half moon  and star inside the octagon.

Sun symbolizes the way of republic would be lighten with a bright light. The same time sun means unique climate conditions of Uzbekistan. 

Wheat means bread. Cotton symbolizes the main treasure of Uzbekistan, which made country well known all around  the world. Wheat and cottons are inter twisted with a national flag and symbolize consolidation of all citizens living in the country together.

National holidays 

January 1 – The New Year 

March 8 – International Women's day

March 21 – Navruz

May 9 – Day of Memory and Honors

September 1 – the Independence Day

October 1 – Teacher's  day

The first days of religious holidays – Ruza -kahait and Kurban Khait.

All above mentioned dates are official days off among the whole country.

National currency 

National currency of Uzbekistan is Uzbek Sum. All payments should be done in national currency. Currency exchange points are available on each city, mostly in commercial banks, bazaars, hotels and airport.

Medical service 

All medical service in the Uzbekistan is fee-paying. If you need a doctor please inform staff at Hotel reception desk and use your medical insurance.

You can register medical insurance  in you country but kindly check  whether it works in Uzbekistan.

Visa

For CIS citizens entry to Uzbekistan is Visa free. Foreign citizens and stateless persons need to make Entry Visa. To entry  to Uzbekistan  you need a travel passport. Hotel will provide you registration list which could be necessary when you leave country. In case you decide to stay at your friend's home you need to register your accommodation within 72 hours at the special places.

Customs

All tourist entering the Uzbekistan highly recommended to check customs requirements on customs website:

http:www.customs.uz/rus/informaiya_dlya_svedeniya

Useful information 

Internet domain – uz

Phone code +998

Electric voltage 220V AC, 50A, standard double holes electric point

Grinvich time +5

Diplomatic relations 

By 2011, Republic  of Uzbekistan has diplomatic relations  with 128 countries.

Objects of world's UNESCO heritage 

There are 4 objects in Uzbekistan  which were included to the world's UNESCO heritage list:

1.    Historical center  of Bukhara (1993)

2.    Historical center of Shakhrisabz (2000)

3.    Ichan-kala at Khiva city (1990)

4.    Samarkand city (2001)