Uzbekistan is located in the central part of Central Asia. It is bordered by Kyrgyzstan to the east, by Kazakhstan to the north-east, north, and north-west, by Turkmenistan to the south-west and south, by Afghanistan to the south, and by Tajikistan to the south-east. The total length of the borders is about 5,300 km.

The Uzbek language is the majority-spoken language in Uzbekistan; other languages include the Russian language and the Tajik language. Islam is the predominant religion in Uzbekistan, most Uzbeks being Sunni Muslims. 

The central Asian nation offers a welcoming environment to international students. Uzbekistan maintains a thousand-year history with numerous ancient monuments, beautiful sceneries, and natural beauty. Uzbekistan was labeled the second-best destination to visit in Asia. The capital, Tashkent is a vibrant city offering impressive education, shopping, sports, and entertainment venues. 

General Facts 

The official name of the country: the Republic of Uzbekistan

Capital: Tashkent

Area: 447,400 square kilometres

Political system: Constitutional Democracy

Population: 32.1 million people (2017)

Official language:  Uzbek language

Currency: Uzbek soum

Time zone: GMT +5

Phone code: +998———

Ethnic Composition

Uzbekistan is a multiethnic country. The majority of the population are Uzbeks (over 71%). Anthropologically these are mixed-origin people. Uzbeks are the representatives of the southern European ethnicity of Central Asian Mesopotamia. However, their ethnic formation was heavily influenced by Mongoloid race.

The literary Uzbek language belongs to the Karluk group of the Western branch of the Turkic languages. Spoken language has many different dialects. The Uzbek language has its profound historical link to the Tajik language, which can be observed in phonetics, syntax, and especially vocabulary.

The official language of the Republic of Uzbekistan is Uzbek. Many people in the republic widely use the Russian language, and many regions use the Tajik language.

Representatives of other Turkic-speaking people also live in Uzbekistan: Kazakhs, Kirghiz, Turkmens, Uighurs, and Tatars. Besides, there is a large community of Tajiks in the republic, who speak the Iranian language (4.7 percent). Russian and Russian-speaking people, the total number of which is about 16% of the total population of the republic, constitute a significant part of the population. Koreans, Arabs, Central Asian Gypsies and Jews, Germans, and many others also live here. The population of Uzbekistan is growing rapidly.

Climate

The climate in Uzbekistan is continental, with hot summers and cool winters. The southern part of the country is the warmest and the northern part is the coldest. In summer temperature often exceeds 41°C (106°F), and can even reach 45°C (113°F) and above. Air humidity is not high. In winter temperature averages around -8°C (18°F), but can fall to -40°C (-40°F). Most of the country is also quite dry. Average annual precipitation range from 100 mm (3.9 in.) to 200 mm (7.9 in.) and mostly occur in winter and spring.

Religion

The Uzbeks are Sunni Muslims, and they are considered to be among the most devout Muslims in all of Central Asia. Thus, about three-fourths of the population is Muslim. Slightly less than one-tenth of the population is Eastern Orthodox Christian, and the remainder of the people consider themselves nonreligious or follow other religions. Despite the predominance of Islam and its rich history in the country, the practice of the faith is far from monolithic. Uzbeks have practiced many versions of Islam. The conflict of Islamic tradition with various agendas of reform or secularisation throughout the 20th century has left a wide variety of Islamic practices in Central Asia.

One of the most important issues today is to ensure that religious tolerance and interethnic harmony in modern Uzbekistan are a permanent priority. At the same time, the people of Uzbekistan, which aim at building a humane, just, and legal society, respect the rights of each nation and religion, recognize that everyone has the freedom to practice their faith and that others have the right to do so.

It is important not to overlook the inability to dominate. The relations between Muslims and believers of other faiths in Uzbekistan are based on two main characteristics, both politically and socially, that is mutual respect and tolerance. This attitude is the result of brave coping with the trials of complex historical processes. For the purpose of ensuring peace, development, and prosperity in the country, and strengthening social stability, representatives of all religious confessions participate in spiritual and educational events held in Uzbekistan and abroad. This attitude is well respected by the state. 

In order to ensure religious tolerance in modern Uzbekistan, it is advisable to pay particular attention to the following tasks:

• prioritizing religious freedom and tolerance in any developmental period;
• instilling in the minds of the youth of the future that the formation of religious tolerance in each person, tolerance is a factor of stability and prosperity;
• properly and effectively organizing religious education in families, communities, and educational establishments.
• ensuring unity and sustainable future of all nations on the basis of the national ideas in society;
• abolishing some conservative policies to establish religious and spiritual equilibrium, and move to a more liberal policy in line with modern requirements;
• creating a healthy dialogue between religious confessions and ethnic groups;
• improving the process of state registration of religious organizations, including reducing the
• number of founders from 100 to 50;
• Revising the practice of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations”;
• It is necessary to ensure transparency of all reforms and accountability of the government to the people

Cuisine 

Uzbek food is among the most delicious in the world, for over the centuries it absorbed and adapted the best recipes from neighboring cultures to create a flavorful and satisfying cuisine. A highlight of Uzbek cuisine in comparison with its Central Asian neighbors is that they enjoy not only meat dishes but vegetables and salads too. 

Meat, particularly beef, and lamb, remain the basis of the local diet today. Horse meat is also enjoyed as a delicacy, while poultry is less popular. Fish dishes are rather uncommon in this double-landlocked nation. Uzbek food is rich in seasonings which accentuate the flavor of the dishes and leave a pleasant aftertaste. Uzbeks are very hospitable people who will never let guests go hungry: First, because it will not be easy to decline a true invitation; second, because the Uzbek table is usually replete with food; and finally, because after a filling meal you are likely to be sent home with leftovers.

Uzbekistan’s signature dish is palov (or plov). There are many regional variations of the dish. In the past, the cooking of palov was reserved for men, but the Soviets allowed women to cook it as well. Since then, it seems, the old gender roles have been restored. Other notable national dishes include sherpa can be served as a soup or a main course; manti, chuchvara, and some, stuffed pockets of dough served as an appetizer or a main course; diploma, a meat and vegetable stew; and various kebabs, usually served as a main course. 

Green tea is the national hot beverage consumed throughout the day; teahouses (chai khana) are of cultural importance. Black tea is preferred in Tashkent, but both green and black teas are consumed daily, without milk or sugar. Tea always accompanies a meal, but it is also a drink of hospitality that is automatically offered: green or black to every guest. Ayran, a chilled yogurt drink, is popular in summer.

Public Holidays

January 1 — New Year

March 8 — International Women’s Day

March 21 — Navruz

May 9 — Day of Remembrance and Honor

September 1 — Independence Day

October 1 — Teacher and Mentor Day

December 8 — Constitution Day