Travel

Uzbekistan — overview

The Republic of Uzbekistan is an independent state in the very heart of Central Asia. Its capital is Tashkent. The state language is Uzbek, and the currency is the som.

Key facts

• Area: 448,978 km² (56th in the world).
• Independence: declared on 31 August 1991; 1 September is Independence Day.
• Form of government: presidential republic. The legislature is the bicameral Oliy Majlis (Legislative Chamber and Senate).
• Population: about 37 million people — the largest in Central Asia.
• Neighbouring countries: Kazakhstan to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, Afghanistan to the south and Turkmenistan to the southwest.

By region

The country consists of 12 regions, the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the city of Tashkent:

• Andijan — 4.2 thousand km²
• Bukhara — 39.4 thousand km²
• Fergana — 6.8 thousand km²
• Jizzakh — 20.5 thousand km²
• Khorezm — 6.3 thousand km²
• Namangan — 7.9 thousand km²
• Navoiy — 110.8 thousand km² (the largest)
• Kashkadarya — 28.4 thousand km²
• Republic of Karakalpakstan — 166.6 thousand km²
• Samarkand — 16.4 thousand km²
• Syrdarya — 5.1 thousand km²
• Surkhandarya — 20.8 thousand km²
• Tashkent region — 15.3 thousand km²
• Tashkent city — 0.3 thousand km²

Rivers

The largest rivers are the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya. Their tributaries include the Zarafshan, Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, Chirchiq and Naryn. Together the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya form the Aral Sea basin.

Nature and climate

The climate is sharply continental: hot and dry summers, cold winters. Deserts and steppes cover most of the territory, while the Tien Shan mountains rise in the east. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons to travel.

Why visit Uzbekistan

One country holds the cities of the Silk Road, Buddhist and Islamic heritage, desert and mountain landscapes, a rich cuisine and legendary hospitality. Every region is a story of its own.