Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia with a rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. Officially the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Interesting Facts & Things to Know about Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan Flag and Emblem
The national flag was approved by the Extraordinary 8th Session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan on November 18, 1991. The national flag of the Republic of Uzbekistan is a right-angled colored cloth of three horizontal stripes: blue, white and green. Blue is the symbol of the sky and water, which are the main source of life. Mainly blue was the color of the state flag of Temur. White is the traditional symbol of peace, moral and spiritual purity, and good luck, as Uzbek people say «Ok yul». Green is the color of nature and new life and good harvest. Two thin red stripes symbolize the power of life. There is a new moon, which symbolizes the newly independent Republic. There are twelve stars, which stand for spiritual sign. The stars also signify the historical traditions of the Uzbek people, as well as ancient solar calendar. A particular attention to twelve stars in the flag is explained yet by another suggestion, that in the states previously existed in the territory of modern Uzbekistan the scientific thought as «Astrology» had seen its rise. The stars in the Uzbek flag also point to the ancient roots of local culture, the aspirations of Uzbek people towards perfection and loyalty.
The state emblem of the Republic of Uzbekistan was approved by the 10th Session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan on July 2, 1992. The new state emblem of the Republic of Uzbekistan was created to reflect the many centuries of experience of the Uzbek people. The state emblem of the Republic presents the image of the rising sun over a flourishing valley. Two rivers run through the valley, representing the Syrdarya and Amudarya. The emblem is bordered by wheat on the right side and branches of cotton with opened cotton bolls on the left side. The eight-angle star is at the top of the emblem, symbolizing the unity and confirmation of the republic. The crescent and star inside the eight-pointed star are the sacred symbols of Islam. The mythical bird Semurg with outstretched wings is placed in the center of the emblem as the symbol of the national Renaissance. The entire composition aims to express to desire of the Uzbek people for peace, happiness and prosperity. At the bottom of the emblem inscribed the word «Uzbekistan» written in Uzbek on a ribbon in the national colors of the flag.
Silk Road Legacy
Uzbekistan was a central hub on the ancient Silk Road, the famous trade route connecting China and Europe. Cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva flourished as cultural and economic centers.
Tashkent - The Largest City in Central Asia
The capital, Tashkent, is the most populous city in Central Asia. It’s a mix of modern architecture and Soviet-era buildings, with many green parks and museums.
Samarkand - The “Pearl of the East”
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Samarkand is famous for its breathtaking Registan Square, decorated with intricate blue-tiled madrasahs.
Land of Minarets and Mausoleums
Uzbekistan is home to stunning Islamic architecture, including the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, and the Ark of Bukhara.
The Only Double-Landlocked Country in Central Asia
Uzbekistan is one of only two double-landlocked countries in the world (along with Liechtenstein), meaning it’s surrounded by other landlocked countries.
Plov - The National Dish
Uzbekistan’s famous dish, plov (pilaf), is made with rice, meat, carrots, and spices. It’s so important that it’s even recognized by UNESCO as part of Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage.
The Mysterious Aral Sea
Once one of the world's largest lakes, the Aral Sea has almost completely dried up due to Soviet-era irrigation projects. The remnants of the sea and abandoned fishing boats create an eerie landscape.
The World’s Largest Open-Pit Gold Mine
Uzbekistan is home to the Muruntau Gold Mine, one of the largest and most productive gold mines on Earth.
Home to the World's First Astronomical Observatory
Ulugbek, a 15th-century ruler and astronomer, built the Ulugh Beg Observatory in Samarkand. He made incredibly accurate astronomical calculations long before telescopes were invented.
Unique Alphabet Evolution
Uzbekistan’s language, Uzbek, has changed scripts multiple times—from Arabic to Latin, then Cyrillic under Soviet rule, and now back to Latin.
Life Expactancy in Uzbekistan
According to the latest WHO data published in 2018 life expectancy in Uzbekistan is: Male 69.7, female 75.0. Total life expectancy is 72.3 which gives Uzbekistan a World Life Expectancy ranking of 100.
People in Uzbekistan
The people of Uzbekistan enjoy long, hot summers and mild winters.
Uzbekistan Products
Uzbekistan grows vegetables, fruit, cotton and corn and rears cattle.
Uzbekistan Industries
The industry consists of food processing, textiles, metallurgy, machinery and natural gas.
Uzbekistan Export
Uzbekistan also exports gold, cotton, energy products, metals and mineral fertilizers.
Uzbek Scientist
Algorithm derives from the name of the Uzbek Scientist Khwarezmi.
Uzbekistan Fruits
Uzbekistan has the best melons and watermelons in the world.
Uzbekistan Gold
Gold reserves of Uzbekistan are ranked fourth in the world after South Africa, the USA and Russia. And as for the extraction of gold - the second place among the CIS countries after Russia.
Uzbekistan Uranium
Uranium reserves of Uzbekistan are ranked seventh in the world after Australia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Canada, South Africa and Ukraine. And the third in the world in its export after Kazakhstan and Australia.
Copper and Tungsten
On reserves and production of copper and tungsten Uzbekistan is among the top ten countries in the world.
Uzbekistan Cotton
Uzbekistan is the world's fifth-largest cotton exporter and seventh-largest producer.
Uzbek Nation
Uzbeks are the largest nation in Central Asia.
Ancient Cities of Uzbekistan
Samarkand and Bukhara are over 2700 years old cities.
Marriage in Uzbekistan
Arranged marriage is still common in Uzbekistan.
The Value of Bread
Bread is "Honored". The Uzbeks believe that turning bread upside down will bring you bad fortune.
Finds in Uzbekistan
Early human tools and monuments are found in Fergana, Tashkent, Bukhara, Khorezm and Samarkand regions.
Settlement in Uzbekistan
The territory of Uzbekistan was populated in the second millennium BC.
Starry Night Sky
Tashkent - one of the few cities in the world where you can see the starry night sky and it’s possible because of low gas content.
Tashkent TV Tower
Tashkent TV tower is the 11th tallest tower in the world and the tallest TV tower in Central Asia.
Independence of Uzbekistan
On August 31, 1991 Uzbekistan declared independence, marking September 1 as a national holiday.
Population of Uzbekistan
The current population of Uzbekistan is 33,429,848 as of Wednesday, June 3, 2020, based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data. Uzbekistan 2020 population is estimated at 33,469,203 people at mid year according to UN data. Uzbekistan population is equivalent to 0.43% of the total world population. Uzbekistan ranks number 42 in the list of countries (and dependencies) by population. The population density in Uzbekistan is 79 per km2. 50.1 % of the population is urban (16,756,329 people in 2020).
Area of Uzbekistan
The total land area is 425,400 km2.
Median Age in Uzbekistan
The median age in Uzbekistan is 27.8 years.
Safety in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is one of the safest countries in the world.
Uzbekistan Coordinates
The coordinates of Uzbekistan: Latitude: 41° 22' 52.20" N, Longitude: 64° 34' 24.89" E.
The Highest Point in Uzbekistan
The highest point: Hissar ridge (4643 meters above sea level).
The Lowest Point in Uzbekistan
The lowest point: Mynbulak (-12.8 meters below sea level).
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