GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT UZBEKISTAN

Formal name: The Republic of Uzbekistan

Location : The Republic of Uzbekistan is situated in the central part of Central Asia between two rivers: Amu Darya and Syr Darya. There are Turan Lowland in the northwest, and Tien-Shan and Pamir-Alay mountain ridges in the southeast of the territory. Kyzyl Kum Desert is in the North. Uzbekistan borders Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tadjikistan, and with short distance with Afghanistan in the south.

Land boundaries: total: 6.221 km, border countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2.203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1.099 km, Tajikistan 1.161 km, Turkmenistan 1.621 km

Landscape: Most of the territory of Uzbekistan is occupied by plains (about four fifth of its territory). One of the main – plain is Turanianlowland. To the east and north- east of the country there are ranges of the Tien Shan and Pamir, here – the highest point of the country ( 4643 m). In the north central part of the territory of Uzbekistan is one of the largest deserts in the world – the Kyzyl Kum.

Capital: Tashkent

Area: total 448.900 km2 ( land: 425.400 km2, water: 22,000 km2 )

Population: more than 31,5 million people; density of population: 50.1 per sq.km. Almost 80% of its population is Uzbeks; 5.5% Russians, 5% Tajiks, 3% Kazakhs; 2.5% Karakalpakstan; Tatar 1.5%; others 2.5%.

Uzbekistan, like other Central Asian states, is featured by a relatively ” young” population and a high proportion of people of working age. The share of those below working age in the general population is 39%, of working age – 54 %, of retireds – 7%.

Language: Uzbek is the state language, widely used: Russian, Tajik, Karakalpak, Kazakh also English which is getting popular among young generation.

Administrative and Territorial Structure:  12 regions and Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan.

Religion: Islam 88% (mostly Sunnis); Christian Orthodox 9% and others 3% (Judaists, Buddhists, Catholics, Protestants, etc.)

Currency:  Sum is the National currency of Uzbekistan. 1 Sum = 100 tiyins (small coin). Notes are in denominations of 10000, 5000, 1000, 500, 200, 100 sum.

National Symbols: Flag, Emblem, Anthem.

Time: GMT +05:00

Electric power: 220 V AC, 50 amp; Standard two-pin plug socket

Domain zone: uz

International dialing code: +998

Climate: The climate of Uzbekistan is extremely continental with a great number of sunny days. Average monthly temperature in January is from 10 to +3oC. Summer is hot and dry. Average monthly temperature in July is from +35 to +45oC. Autumn is warm enough and is the season when delicious fruits and vegetables are in abundance in numerous bazaars (markets). Average annual temperature is 13oC. The amount of precipitation is insignificant, which makes agriculture dependent on irrigation.

Public Holidays

  • New Year – 1 January 

  • International Women’s Day – 8 March 

  • Navruz Holiday(Spring New Year) – 21 March 

  • Memorial Day – 9 May 

  • Independence Day – 1 September

  • Teacher’s day – 1 October 

  • Constitution Day – 8 December 

  • Eid al-Fitr ( religious festival ) – date varies

  • Eid al-Adha (religious festival ) – date varies

The best period for travel: from mid March till mid June and from August till end of October.