General Information about Uzbekistan

What You Should Know About Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan, officially the Republic of Uzbekistan, is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia, covering an area of 447,400 square kilometers. It ranks 56th in the world by area and 42nd by population (estimated 32.7 million in 2019).

Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991 after being part of the Soviet Union. It is a presidential republic that regularly holds presidential and parliamentary elections. It is the 4th largest among CIS countries by area and 2nd largest by population.

Uzbekistan borders five landlocked countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. The country is divided into 12 provinces, one autonomous republic (Karakalpakstan), and one independent city (Tashkent).

National Flag of Uzbekistan

The national flag, adopted on November 18, 1991, symbolizes the sovereignty of Uzbekistan. The flag has three horizontal stripes: blue, white, and green, separated by thin red lines. Blue represents the sky and water, white symbolizes peace and purity, and green reflects nature and new life. The crescent moon signifies independence, and 12 stars symbolize historical and cultural traditions.

National Emblem of Uzbekistan

The emblem, adopted on July 2, 1992, shows a sun rising over a fertile valley with the Syrdarya and Amudarya rivers. It is surrounded by wheat and cotton, with a star, crescent, and the mythical bird Semurg symbolizing peace and renaissance. The word "Uzbekistan" is written at the bottom in national colors.

National Anthem of Uzbekistan

The anthem was adopted on December 10, 1992. The law "On the national anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan" was passed at the 11th session of the Supreme Council of Uzbekistan.

National Currency of Uzbekistan

The official currency is the Uzbek sum (UZS). One sum equals 100 tiyin. Banknotes were first issued in 1993. Denominations range from 1 to 100,000 sum. All notes feature the coat of arms and Registan Square in Samarkand.

Foreign Currency Exchange

Currency can be exchanged at official exchange offices in banks, airports, hotels, and shopping areas. Exchange machines are also available in cities. The black market has been eliminated.

ATMs in Uzbekistan

ATMs are widely available in cities and tourist spots, but they only dispense national currency. Visa cards are accepted in all banks; Mastercard is limited to a few. Not all businesses accept cards, so carrying cash is recommended.

Climate in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has a continental climate with hot summers (over 40°C) and cold winters (as low as −40°C). Rainfall is low, mostly in winter and spring. The best travel seasons are March–June and August–November.

What to Wear in Uzbekistan

There is no specific dress code. In spring and autumn, warm layers are ideal; in winter, waterproof boots and thermal wear are necessary. Summer requires light cotton clothes, hats, and sunscreen. At religious sites, modest attire and headscarves for women may be required.

Uzbek Cuisine

Uzbek cuisine relies heavily on flour, meat (beef or mutton), vegetables, and herbs. Dishes are rich in calories due to the use of oils and fats. Plov (pilaf) is the national dish. Cottonseed and sunflower oil are widely used; pork is not.

Cost of Living in Uzbekistan

Living in Uzbekistan is affordable. Tashkent was ranked 58th globally by The Economist as a great city to live in.

Hostels: $10–15/night
Budget hotels: $35–60/night
Luxury hotels: $90–200/night
Coffee/Tea: $0.5–2
Beer (0.5L): $0.5–1
Lunch: $4–20
Dinner: $6–25

Photographing and Filming

Taking photos in metro stations has been legal since June 2018. A small fee ($1–3) may be charged for using professional cameras at tourist sites.

Telephone Codes in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has five mobile operators: Beeline, UCell, UMS, Uzmobile, and Perfectum Mobile. Most people have mobile access, and 3G/4G services are widespread. The international dialing code is +998.

City	Area Code
Almalik	261
Andijan	374(2)
Angren	266
Asaka	37436
Bekabad	291
Beruniy	36152
Bukhara	365
Chirchik	271
Chust	36942
Gulistan	367
Denov	37641
Ferghana	373(2)
Jizzakh	372(22)
Zarafshon	43657
Kagan	6552
Karshi	375(22)
Khiva	36237
Kitab	37554
Kokand	37355
Navoiy	436
Namangan	369(22)
Nukus	361
Samarkand	366(2)
Shahrisabz	37552
Sirdaryo	3673
Tashkent	371
Termez	376(22)
Urgench	362

Emergency Numbers

Service	Number
Fire Service	101
Police	102
Ambulance	103
Emergency Situations (MoES)	1050

Mobile Phone Operators

Operator	Codes
Beeline	+998 90/91
UCell	+998 93/94
UMS	+998 97
Uzmobile	+998 95/99
Perfectum Mobile	+998 98

IMEI Registration in Uzbekistan

Since September 2019, all imported or locally manufactured mobile devices (including for personal use) must be registered via their IMEI number. This includes smartphones, tablets, IoT devices, routers, and more. Non-resident users of local SIM cards are allowed 30 days before mandatory IMEI registration.

Religion in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a secular country where freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution. Over 90% of the population are Muslims, predominantly Sunnis. There are also Russian Orthodox Christians, Jews, Buddhists, and others. Religious freedom and holiday observance are respected for all communities.