Geography
Republic of Uzbekistan occupies the central place in Central Asia being situated between two great rivers - Amudarya and Sirdarya. Five states are its neighbors - Kazakhstan in the north and north-west; Turkmenistan - in the south-west; Kyrgyzstan - in the north-east, Tajikistan - in the south-east and Afghanistan in the south.
Total length of borders is 6,221 kilometer.
Highest point of mountains is at 4,643 meters.
Republic of Uzbekistan is situated at the following coordinates: 41 degrees of northern latitude and 64 degrees of eastern longitude.
State territory is 447.4 thousand sq. km where there are 25.9 million inhabitants. Average population density is 49 persons per sq. km. Urban population makes 45% of total population. Natural population increase is 27. Average population life is 64 years for men and 70 years for women. Uzbekistan’s population lives on the territory where the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan, 12 viloyats (oblasts), 163 tumans (districts), 120 cities and towns are situated.
Capital city of the country is Tashkent; its area is 300 square km, population is more than 2.5 million inhabitants.
Republic of Karakalpakstan -area is 166,59 thousand sq. km, population – 1,551.9 thousand inhabitants, capital city is Nukus.
Andijan Oblast - area is 43.03 thousand sq. km.., population is 3,343 thousand inhabitants, administrative center is City of Andijan.
Bukhara Oblast - area is 40..32 thousand sq. km., population is 1,419.3 thousand inhabitants, administrative center is City of Bukhara.
Djizak Oblast - area is 21.1 thousand sq. km, population is 1,024 thousand inhabitants, administrative center is City of Djizak.
Kashkadarya Oblast - area is 28.568 thousand sq. km., population is 2,166.8 thousand inhabitants, administrative center is City of Karshi.
Navoi Oblast - area is 111.0 thousand sq. km., population is 783.3 thousand inhabitants, administrative center is City of Navoi.
Namangan Oblast - area is 7.44 thousand sq. km, population is 2,004 тthousand inhabitants, administrative center is City of Namangan.
Samarkand Oblast - area is – 16.77 thousand sq. km., population is 2,670.3 thousand inhabitants, administrative center is City of Samarkand.
Surkhandarya Oblast - area is 20.1 thousand sq. km., population is 1,736.7 thousand inhabitants, administrative center is City of Termez.
Sirdarya Oblast - area is 5.100 thousand sq. km., population is 642.2 thousand inhabitants, administrative center is City of Gulistan.
Tashkent Oblast - area is 15.3 thousand sq. km., population is 4,450.0 thousand inhabitants, administrative center is City of Tashkent.
Fergana Oblast - area is 6.76 thousand sq. km., population is 2,664.4 thousand inhabitants, administrative center is City of Fergana.
Khorezm Oblast - area is 6,05 thousand sq. km., population is 1,370.0 thousand inhabitants, administrative center is City of Urgench.
State Structure
Uzbekistan is a sovereign democratic republic.
On August 31, 1991 Islam Karimov declared state independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
On December 29, 1991 Islam Karimov was elected the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the alternative nationwide general elections.
Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan was adopted on January 8, 1992 and is the main Law of the country.
All citizens of Uzbekistan of age 18 and older have the general voting right.
State power system includes the legislative, executive and judicial powers.
Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan that performs the legislative power is the supreme state representative body.
Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan consists of two chambers - legislative chamber (lower house) and Senate (upper house). Term of authority is 5 years.
Order of preparing and holding of elections for the Oliy Majlis is determined by the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan «On Elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan» and other legislative acts of country adopted in connection therewith.
Cabinet of Ministers (Law «On Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan» Article 1). Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan is the body of executive power of the Republic of Uzbekistan that ensures the management of effective functioning of economy , social and spiritual sphere, performance of laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, resolutions of the Oliy Majlis, Decrees, resolutions and orders of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Cabinet of Ministers in its activity reports to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Cabinet of Ministers has the right of legislative initiative.
Judicial power in the Republic of Uzbekistan functions independently of legislative and executive powers, political parties, other public associations. Activity of courts in the Republic of Uzbekistan is governed by the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan «On Courts».
The following courts function in the Republic of Uzbekistan:
1. Constitutional Court;
2. Supreme Court;
3. Supreme Economic Court;
4. Military courts;
5. Office of the Prosecutor General
Nature and Climate
Climate is hot, dry, sharp continental. Northern part of country refers to the temperate and the far southern part refers to the sub-torrid zone. Droughtiness, abundance of heat and light, high standing of sun during the year are inherent features. Daytime duration in summer is 15 hours and in winter - at least 9 hours. Uzbekistan has mild winters and long hot summers. The most cold month is January. Average temperature in December is -8 °С in the north and 0 °С in the south, though in certain days in the north of the country freezing reaches - 25 °С and lower. The hottest month is July. Average temperature in summer exceeds 35 °С, and in certain days it may reach 45 °С and higher. The most pleasant time for visiting Uzbekistan is spring, from March to early June, and fall from September to early November.
Nature of our country amazes one with its contrasts. Deserts and green valleys, high snowy mountains and plateaus, full rivers and reservoirs create unforgettable color. Major part of the territory relates to the Turkestan plain. Growth of mountains contributed to droughtiness of climate, and Kyzylkum and Karakum deserts had emerged gradually. Mountains and plateaus make 1/5th of the country’s territory. Highest point is 4,643 meters. Slopes of mountain ranges such as Western Tyan-Shan and Pamir -Alay are within the country’s boundaries. Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, Zerafshan and Samarkand depressions stretch between the mountains.
High seismicity is inherent for Uzbekistan, however, scientists state that strong earthquakes are rare, and they appear approximately once in a century.
23.09.2005
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is one of five republics in Central Asia which used to be part of the Soviet Union. It is bordered on the west and north by Kazakhstan, on the east by Kyrgyzstan, on the southeast by Tajikistan, and on the south by Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. It was formerly the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Uzbekistan includes the Karakalpak Autonomous Republic, which occupies about 37 percent of Uzbekistan's territory. Uzbekistan's land area totals about 447,400 sq km (about 172,750 sq mi). Toshkent is the capital and chief industrial and cultural center.
The art of hospitality
The art of hospitality
Through the cities along the Great Silk Road, such as Naryn, Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva passed hundreds and thousands of tradesmen and the many helpers who accompanied the caravans of olden days. They were of the most diverse origin and backgrounds. They whole caravan would settle down a number of days in commercial capitals since dismantling the camels, storing the wares, trading, re-loading, all took time. Those who had a profound interest in making the caravan's stay a comfortable one, were the local tradesmen. For good business relationships but also to get the best deals, it was vital for these local business entrepreneurs and their family to entertain sumptuously. This meant a table covered, every inch of it, by a dizzying variety of delicacies, which would all be pressed upon the guest, with second and third servings being de rigeur and plates never being anywhere near empty.
Subsequently, foreign trades people, belt loosened, regally propped up on large, soft, beautiful pillows, their bellies stuffed with the most delectable food items, the ladies of the house mastered, served on beautiful china, were most likely in a feeble position to close a deal.
The concept of business lunch or business dinner is there for not of recent. Food, drink, a banquet enjoyed together, set the stage for negotiations. By creating a hospitable ambiente, by making their guest feel at ease inside the own private home, a relationship would turn from strictly business to one of lasting friendship.
The days of the caravans are history but the Central Asian Art of hospitality and the ancient customs around the table are very much alive. Yes, in the last 100 years, more European menu items have been added to a meal, yet the traditions formed during the bustling days of The Great Silk Road still apply and creating bonds, forging friendships through culinary occasions, is still the essence of Central Asian Hospitality and its friendly and peaceful people.
Uzbek Tea ceremony
Tea is served from ceramic pots into small pjala bowls. The precious liquid is poured into the clean pjala of the host and poured back into the chainik (teapot) - this is repeated three times. The fourth time round, a half filled cup is offered in the guest's own pjala, allowing for the tea to cool down rapidly so as to quench ones thirst immediately. A bowl filled to the brim goes against all standards of hospitality and good form. Tea is served with homemade jam or honey, which substitutes as sweetener.
Toast
Every guest takes his turn as toast master. The toast master stands up, his glass of vodka in hand and delivers a short speech, which ideally includes the following elements: thank you, phraise to the host, something witty, best wishes to all for health and prosperity. Then everybody clink their glasses in the center of the table and drink (you may be expected to not leave anything in your glass). When invited to a banquet it is advisable to rapidly lay a strong foundation of bread and cheese since the first toast will be spoken within minutes.
Banquet and Etiquette
Tradition demands that the table in covered with food at all times. When quests arrive, all cold food items are on the table, served on small plates, namely the zakuski, the salads, cakes and cookies and a fruit arrangement in the center. Only completely empty serving plates are cleared. Guest plates are exchanged after every course.
The handshake
Men will always shake hands with other men. Even if you are not introduced to everyone, a simple handshake substitutes a formal introduction. A woman visitor may not be receiving a handshake unless she herself stretches out her hand. For the woman traveler, do not feel offended that you do not receive the same attention as the males in your group. As odd as it may seem to us in the West, it is only out of respect that you are not included in the hand-shaking ritual. Women will often greet you with a big hug, definitely with a handshake. For the winter traveler gloves should be removed when shaking hands.
The kiss on the cheek
Close friends or family members of the same sex will often greet each other with a more vibrant display of affection than a simple handshake. Kissing is the most common greeting seen among people of the region, and depending on where you are traveling, this is most often done two or three times on alternating cheeks. However, when a pair is exceptionally happy to see each other, or when one is showing a deep respect for the other, the exchange will most definitely continue past the requisite two- or three-kiss norm. As a sign of respect, elders will often receive a kiss from their less mature counterparts, whether acquainted or not.
The "silent bow"
One of the most beautiful features of Central Asian culture is found within one simple little gesture, this "silent bow". Often accompanying the handshake, men will place their left hand over their hearts and offer a slight, almost indiscernible, bow to their counterpart in a gesture of deep respect. This subtle bow or slight inclination of the head is also displayed in a variety of other exchanges among people. However, when not shaking hands, it is the right hand that is placed on the chest. You will most definitely encounter this when someone is offering thanks, saying goodbye or parting ways, or even when a younger man passes an elder in the street and wants to show his respect.
A good tip for any times and nations
There are over 140 nationalities throughout the Central Asian region, so customs differ from country to country, and even from village to village, so there is no one 'right cultural tenet to follow. And, as a foreign guest in a region proud of its tradition of hospitality, locals will readily forgive any transgression from the cultural norm. Also, as with anywhere in the world, a smile and a laugh can go a long way.
Flag & Emblem of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a new independent state in Central Asia. After the collapse of the USSR Uzbekistan chose peace-loving democratic policy and launched the reforms to develop market economy and enter international economic society as a full member.
Education
9718 day time, 131 evening comprehensive schools
373 technical colleges
224 specialized institutes
61 institutions of higher learning
UMID, ULUGBEK, KAMOLOT funds for gifted youth providing study abroad