Administrative Structure Uzbekistan consists of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, twelve provinces (vilayat) and 157 districts (tuman).

Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan with population more than 2.4 million inhabitants. Among other big cities are Samarkand (500,000), Namangan (360,000), Andijan (310,000) and Bukhara (241,000).

Climate The climate in Uzbekistan is sharply continental. There are more than 250 sunny days a year. Often it's extremely hot in summer (June to August) - as much as 45-50C (113-122 F) in the south of the Republic.
The hottest summer month is July. The average temperature in this period on plains and foothills is 25-30C (77-86F), and in the south it reaches 31-32C (88-90 F).
Humidity is generally low in summer, as it almost never rains in this season.
In autumn (September to November) the weather is brilliantly clear and the temperature drops slowly as winter approaches. In winter (December to February) it is often overcast. Occasionally it rains or snows.
The average temperature in December ranges from -8C (18F) in the north to 0C (32 F) in the south. However sometimes there are hard frosts and the temperature drops to minus 20-25C (minus 4-13F). The coldest winter month is January. The best time for travelling to Uzbekistan is from mid March to mid June and from August to mid November. During this time the temperature is usually agreeable and does not rise higher than +25-30C (77-86F).

TEMPERATURE & PRECIPITATION CHART OF Uzbekistan
TASHKENT	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average high Centigrade	5,6	7,8	13,9	21,7	27,2	32,8	35,6	33,9	28,3	20,6	13,9	8,3
Average low Centigrade	-3,3	-1,7	3,9	9,4	13,3	17,2	18,9	17,2	12,1	7,2	3,3	-0,6
Average precipitation in millimeters	55,8	48,2	71,1	63,5	33	7,6	5	2,5	5	33	45,7	53,3
Average high Fahrenheit	42	46	57	71	81	91	96	93	83	69	57	47
Average low Fahrenheit	26	29	39	49	56	63	66	63	54	45	38	31
Average precipitation in inches	2,2	1,9	2,8	2,5	1,3	0,3	0,2	0,1	0,2	1,3	1,8	2,1
SAMARKAND	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average high Centigrade	6,1	7,8	13,3	20,6	26,1	31,7	33,3	32,2	27,8	20,6	14,4	8,9
Average low Centigrade	-3,3	-1,7	2,8	8,9	12,1	16,1	17,8	15,6	11,1	5,6	1,7	-1,1
Average precipitation in millimeters	43,1	38,1	71,1	63,5	33	7,6	5	0	5	22,8	27,9	40,6
Average high Fahrenheit	43	46	56	69	79	89	92	90	82	69	58	48
Average low Fahrenheit	26	29	37	48	54	61	64	60	52	42	35	30
Average precipitation in inches	1,7	1,5	2,8	2,5	1,3	0,2	0,2	0	0,2	0,9	1,1	1,6
BUKHARA	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average high Centigrade	6,7	9,4	16,1	24,4	30,6	35	36,7	34,4	29,4	22,2	15,6	8,9
Average low Centigrade	-2,8	-0,6	3,9	7,2	15,6	19,4	14,4	18,3	12,8	6,7	2,2	-1,1
Average precipitation in millimeters	17,7	15,2	25,4	22,8	7,6	0	0	0	0	5	10,1	17,7
Average high Fahrenheit	44	49	61	76	87	95	98	94	85	72	60	48
Average low Fahrenheit	27	31	39	45	60	67	58	65	55	44	36	30
Average precipitation in inches	0,7	0,6	1	0,9	0,3	0	0	0	0	0,2	0,4	0,7
URGENCH	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average high Centigrade	1,4	4,1	12	21,5	29	34,2	35,9	33,1	27,5	18,8	11,2	3,9
Average low Centigrade	-7,1	-5,9	1	8,9	14,9	19,1	21,2	18,4	12,3	5	0,2	-4,1
Average precipitation in millimeters	7,9	7,2	17,1	16,3	9,6	3,4	2	0,8	1,5	5,6	7,6	12,1
Average high Fahrenheit	34,5	39,4	53,6	70,7	84,2	93,6	96,6	91,6	81,5	65,8	52,2	39
Average low Fahrenheit	19,2	21,4	33,8	48	58,8	66,4	70,2	65,1	54,1	41	32,4	24,6
Average precipitation in inches	0,3	0,3	0,7	0,65	0,4	0,13	0,08	0,03	0,06	0,2	0,3	0,5
FERGHANA VALLEY	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average high Centigrade	3,7	6,2	13,9	22,4	27,9	32,9	34,5	32,8	28,2	20,7	12,7	6,1
Average low Centigrade	-4,5	-2,4	3,9	10,5	14,5	18,1	19,7	17,7	12,8	7,4	2,1	-1,9
Average precipitation in millimeters	19,1	22,6	26,8	21	19,4	6,7	5,8	2,1	4,6	19	14,1	15,2
Average high Fahrenheit	38,7	43,2	57	72,3	82,2	91,2	94,1	91	82,8	69,3	54,9	43
Average low Fahrenheit	23,9	27,7	39	50,9	58,1	64,6	67,5	63,9	55	45,3	35,8	28,6
Average precipitation in inches	0,7	0,9	1	0,8	0,8	0,3	0,2	0,1	0,2	0,7	0,5	0,6

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Clothing Light-coloured cotton garments are best for summer travel. A hat is a necessary accessory. Heat and dust make thick-soled walking shoes a better choice. In colder weather, bring warm boots and woollen layers. When desert trekking, be ready for nightly temperature drops. If you leave lowland Uzbekistan for the mountains of Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan, prepare well for intense cold, strong winds and heavy snows. There are no special clothing requirements for visiting Islamic religious site except that you should take care to cover most parts of your body including arms and legs. A lavish display of jewellery, bulging handbags and wallets and a neck full of cameras will make you stand out in a crowd. Be discreet, respectful of local culture and traditions and carry the minimum of valuable. top

Communications Communication system is ensured via a system of line and station facilities of post, telephone, telegraph, and tele-and-radio communication. Long-distance communication is based on cable and radio-relay lines. International communication is based on the digital space lines. Mobile phone services are now also available in most major cities of Uzbekistan .

Crafts Folk applied arts are closely connected with the Uzbek people's traditional mode of life. Over the centuries craftsmen worked in towns and villages and certain districts of the towns were allotted to particular crafts. The applied arts of Uzbekistan embrace a wide range of materials used and methods of ornamentation. During the last century the dynamics of the development of traditional handicrafts was constantly decreasing and many crafts disappeared almost completely.

In the times of independence Uzbekistan has revived the most of these lost crafts. Presently craftsmen are practising more than twenty types of traditional handicrafts including ceramics, metal chasing and embossing, knife-making, stone carving, ganch (stucco) and wood carving, jewellery making, silk and gold embroidery, silk weaving, rug and carpet-making, block printing, leather work, wood turning and papier-mâché work. top

Cuisine Plov is the staple food for everyday and celebrations too. It consists of chunks of fried mutton with onions, thinly shredded yellow turnip or carrot and rice steamed in a large iron pot.

Shashlyk, known also as kebabs, is skewered chunks of mutton barbecued over charcoal served with sliced raw onions and non (rounds of unleavened bread).
Samsa (meat pies) is a pastry pie stuffed with meat and onion or pumpkin, potato, cabbage, mushrooms or nuts backed in tandyr. Tandyr is a traditional cylindrical clay oven, heated with coal. Skill is needed when placing the raw samsas or non on the inside wall of the oven.
Manty are large dumplings stuffed with finely chopped meat, seasoned with various spices and a large amount of onion, and then steamed in a special pot.
Shurpa is a meat and vegetable soup.
Lagman is a thick noodle soup with thinly sliced fried meat and vegetables.

During summer and autumn there is a wide variety of fruits: grapes, pomegranates, apricots - which are also dried and used during other times of the year - and dwarfing them all, the mountains of honey melons and watermelons.
Green tea is the staple drink of the Uzbeks. Chai-khanas (tea-houses) can be found everywhere in Uzbekistan . top

Culture Uzbekistan is a land of ancient and rich culture. Numerous historical monuments evidence its high cultural standards and national originality. Objects found during archaeological excavations are of lasting artistic value and show the deep historical roots of Uzbek culture. The wall paintings in the palaces of Varaksha (near Bukhara) and Afrosiab (in Samarkand) are considered priceless as works of antique art.

Uzbekistan used to be a home for great scientists, philosophers and poets: Al-Khorezmi (in Latin - Algorismi, great mathematician and astronomer, whose name was given to algorithm; from the title of his work "Al-Jebr" originated Algebra), Abu-Al-Beruni (astronomer, historian, poet and geographer), Abu-Ali-ibn-Sina, also known as Avicenna (scientist, an outstanding physician in the world of his day, the author of "Canon of Medicine"), Alisher Navoi (poet, father of Uzbek literature) and others.

The Uzbek musical culture is very rich and varied. The first information about musical instruments dates from the very ancient times; the depiction of musical instruments (lutes, harps, flutes, drums) on stone bas-reliefs, large and small statues, artefacts and mural paintings indicate to this fact. Most of these instruments are still popular in Uzbekistan .

Classical musical compositions, called makoms, have been the most common and favourite among Uzbeks for centuries.
In the past the development of music was closely connected with the art of bards. These days the tradition is maintained by small ensembles of musicians and singers, being heavily in demand at weddings and other festivals.
The history of theatrical art also originates from the epoch of antiquity. Depiction of performers in masks in ancient mural paintings is the proof of it. Nowadays, there are about 36 theatres of different genres and trends in the Republic: drama, musical drama and comedy, opera, ballet etc. The majority of them are located in Tashkent.

European art of opera and ballet is the strong sign of Russian influence. Nevertheless the local opera and ballet theatre has developed its own national authentic features. top

Customs All the travellers are obliged to fill in the Customs Declaration Form duplicate upon entering Uzbekistan . All currencies and other valuable items such as jewellery, cameras and computers being imported into the country must be declared in this form.
The Customs Declaration Form must be surrendered at the time of departure. This allows an easy export of all imported items.
It is essential to produce encashment certificates for all currencies cashed within Uzbekistan in access of US$ 2,000.00 (two thousand).
Duty Free: The following goods may be imported into Uzbekistan by tourists aged 18 and older without incurring customs duty:
400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco products; 2 litres of alcoholic beverages; a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use.
Prohibited imports: Firearms, ammunition and drugs. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.
Prohibited exports: Items more than 100 years old and those of special cultural importance require special permission for export. When buying items that may be more than 100 years old, ask for a certificate stating the age of the item. top

Distances
Distances in kilometers between major tourist centers within Uzbekistan
Distances in kilometers between major tourist centers within Central Asia
Distances in kilometers between major cities within eastern CIS

Ecology Air quality is generally good in Uzbekistan . Automobiles and some local industry cause most pollution problems. Water may be the biggest environmental problem in Uzbekistan . Tashkent has a good water supply, which is chlorinated as well as other main cities. The rural areas experience shortage of purified drinking water. In some regions sewage outflow and drinking water intake are seldom adequately separated. Consequently, the rate of gastrointestinal diseases is relatively high.
In Karakalpakstan (the Aral Sea area), there is a major problem of mineralisation, salinity, nitrates, and pesticide residues. Nitrates and pesticides in water are the result of intensive cotton farming along the Amu-Darya and the Syr-Darya river valleys.
The Aral Sea: The Aral Sea is one of the world's great ecological catastrophes, which has been deprived of its river sources because of excessive irrigation in the times of aggressive cotton production policy of the Soviet Union. Consequently, it accounts for the Aral Sea shrinkage to one-third of its original size. An unusual environmental hazard is a "salt storm", caused when the wind blows across the vast salt flats surrounding the Aral Sea. A very bad health situation is observed in the towns adjacent to the Aral Sea (throat cancer, infant mortality, decreased life expectancy, high rate of anaemia among women, high rates of premature delivery, tripling of the number of children suffering from nervous and psychological disorders). top

Economy Uzbekistan as a newly independent nation is in the midst of profound political, social and economic reforms. The Republic has a considerable economic potential based on diversified industries and agriculture. The country is rich in substantial natural resources, especially natural gas, which is an important export earner, and oil. Uzbekistan is the world's seventh largest gold producer. The Republic also boasts the world's largest open cast gold mine and has deposits of silver, uranium, copper, lead, zinc and tungsten. Due to mineral resources gas-and-oil, coal industries, non-ferrous metallurgy, gold mining and processing, chemical and building materials industries are well developed. Machinery and vehicles account for the bulk of manufacturing output. Though agriculture is possible only by using artificial irrigation, it is a strong component of the economy. Uzbekistan is the fourth largest cotton producing country in the world.
Uzbekistan fosters unique branches of agriculture, such as silkworm cocoons and karakul pelts. The Republic prides itself a major producer of vegetables, fruits and grapes, many of which are excellent in taste.
At present different forms of economic co-operation with foreign companies are developing. Uzbekistan has joined the IMF, the World Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. top

Education Education is compulsory from ages of seven to sixteen. In total, today in the Republic there are 60 higher educational institutions, most of them are universities, which provide training of specialists for all branches of national economy.
The country has a rather wide network of research institutions (more than 300), doing explorations in different fields such as agriculture, physics, astronomy, archaeology.

Emblem The Emblem of the Republic of Uzbekistan depicts the rising sun over a flowering valley, surrounded by a wreath of wheat earns on the right and branches of cotton on the left. A star, located on the upper portion of the Emblem, symbolises unity. The half-moon and star inside are referred to Islam. The legendary Semurg bird in the centre of the Emblem is a symbol of national renaissance. In the background, on a ribbon in the national colours of the Uzbek flag, is written "Uzbekistan ". top

Flag National Flag of the Republic of Uzbekistan consists of three horizontal stripes: blue, white and green. Along the edges of the white strip, the middle section of the flag, there are two red stripes. On the top, left-hand side of the blue section is a half-moon and twelve white five-pointed stars. The blue symbolises the sky and water. The white represents peace. The green is for nature. The red represents life. The half-moon is connected to Islam. The stars symbolise divinity and harmony with the world.

Geography Uzbekistan (which means the Land of Uzbeks) lies in the heart of Central Asia and borders on each of the former Soviet Asian Republics: Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, and in the south - on Afghanistan. Uzbekistan occupies more than 447,400 square kilometres, measuring 925 km from North to South and 1400 km from West to East.
Nature has blessed Uzbekistan with mountains and rivers, steppes and deserts. Two-third of the territory is flat. The south and east are dominated by the Tian Shan and Pamir-Alai mountain ranges. Among the biggest rivers are the Syr-Darya (2212 km long), the Amu-Darya (1415 km long) and the Zerafshan (877 km long) rivers. The Amu-Darya separates the Kyzylkum desert from the Karakum desert of Turkmenistan. There are few lakes in Uzbekistan . The largest one, the Aral Sea, is located in the southwest.
Nature has also bestowed Uzbekistan with unlimited wealth. About 100 kinds of minerals, fuel and energy resources have been discovered. The fauna and flora in Uzbekistan are diverse. Some rare species of animals are found here. Soil is very fertile, more than 6,000 varieties of plants grow in the country. Abundance of warmth and lights provides conditions suitable for growing subtropics. top

Health There are more than 1,300 hospitals and more than 76 thousand of doctors in Uzbekistan . Public health care generally is free of charge.
Recently a few private medical practices have been introduced with modern facilities and equipment.

Holidays

January 1 - New Year's Day (according to Gregorian calendar)
March 8 - International Women's Day
March 21 - Navruz
May 9 - Victory Day
September 1 - Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan
December 8 - Constitution Day

Muslim holidays Khait and Kurban Khait - the date changes each year in correspondence with Lunar Calendar
The favourite holiday in Uzbekistan is Navruz (New Day or New Year). Navruz is widely celebrated everywhere in Central Asia as the day of peace and charity. In Uzbekistan it was rehabilitated in 1989. Navruz is also a Holiday of traditional games, music & drama festivals and lavish colourful fairs.
Muslim holiday Khait - two or three days of celebration at the end of Ramadan (the month of daytime fasting). These are the days of family visits, gifts and donations to the poor.
About 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan Muslim holiday Kurban Khait (The Feast of Sacrifice) is celebrated. During these several days locals visit the graves of relatives. Some of them slaughter an animal and share the meat with the family and the poor.
Victory day is celebrated on May 9 to honour veterans and martyrs of World War II. top

Language The official language is Uzbek (a Turkic group of tongues). From the very ancient times local people had their own written language - the Urhun alphabet up to the 8^th century. After the Arabian invasion in the 8^th century the Arabic alphabet was introduced. It was in use up to 1929. After 1929 there occurred the rapid shift from the Arabic to the Roman alphabet and then to a modified Cyrillic as the official script. Though, nowadays the Latin script is gradually replacing it.

Russian language is still greatly utilised as a means of interethnic communication. However with present Uzbekistan 's policies moving toward the West, the knowledge of English has become increasingly common.

Money Uzbekistan currency is called Uzbek Sum. Currency code: UZS. One Uzbek Sum = 100 tiyn. Notes are in denominations of Sum 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 5, 3 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 25, 10 and 5 sum.

Currency exchange: All tourists are obliged to pay for hotels, hotel services and transport in hard currency; US Dollars are the most widely acceptable form. All bills are normally settled in cash or credit cards. Old US dollar bills (prior to 1990), and those in poor condition (with writing or stamps), may not be accepted. It is illegal to change money in the black market and penalties can be harsh. Banks and the currency exchange bureaux in major hotels will exchange at the official rates.
Credit cards: Acceptable only by some major hotels in tourist centres and banks.
Euro cheques: These are not accepted.
Travellers cheques: Limited acceptance.
Currency restrictions: The import of foreign currency is unlimited, but should be declared on arrival. The export of foreign currency is permitted up to the amount declared on arrival. The import and export of local currency is prohibited.
Banking hours: 0930-1730 Monday to Friday. top

Political system Under the 1992 Constitution Uzbekistan is a secular and democratic republic. Political system of the Republic is parliamentary democracy with a legislative organ Oliy Majlis (Supreme Council), executive body (government) and legal proceeding system. The head of executive power is President, directly elected to a five-year term. At present five political parties function in the Republic. The People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (1991) is the largest, there are also a few other minor parties. Executive power rests with the President. The President appoints a Cabinet of Ministers with the approval of the legislature. The Cabinet of Ministers carries the day-to-day running of the country. The President also appoints regional governors.

Population In the year 2000 the population of Uzbekistan was 24.6 million; the growth rate was 1.4 percent and population density is made up of 50.5 persons per square kilometre.
The population of Uzbekistan involves more than 100 nations: Uzbeks, Tajiks, Russians, Kazakhs, Tatars, Kyrgyz, Koreans, Germans, Jews and others.
The minorities such as Russians, Jews and Germans have decreased in recent years because of the repatriation to their historical homeland (for instance Tashkent's population was 2.3 million in 1990, but by the year 2000 it was down to 2.1 million).
40% of the population is urban and 60% is rural. top

Religion Predominantly the Uzbeks are Sunni Muslim (80% of population), Shia (15%) along side with Russian Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Jewish minorities. Freedom of worship is practiced.

Shopping Handicrafts may be purchased at specialized art workshops in all the cities of Uzbekistan . Every year a growing number of tourists to Uzbekistan stipulate the demand for manual craft products. Everyone wants to take home not only vivid impressions but also an original souvenir. Shops offer a wide choice of articles made of semi-precious stone; carved and painted wood, bone of horn, embroidered skull-caps, decorative wall-hanging suzane, ceramics, miniatures, varieties of hand-made silk, including khanatlas, etc.

The best place to experience the "life in the East" is a bazaar. The bazaars of Bukhara and Samarkand offer goods ranging from herbs and spices to carpets. Famous "Bukhara" carpets are actually Turkoman products that have been sold for centuries in Bukhara's carpet bazaars. Many museums have small retail shops with a variety of modern wares and some original items as well. top

State system On August 31, 1991 the Supreme Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan declared the independence of the country. The Declaration of the Independence was approved by the national referendum on December 29, 1991 when 98.2 % of the citizens voted for the independence and sovereignty of the new state.
September 1, 1991 became the Day of the Republic's State Independence. On March 2, 1992 the Republic of Uzbekistan became the member of the United Nations Organisation.

Traditions A great number of rites and customs accompany the Uzbek family life. Weddings are considered to be the most important event in one's life. Preparations for this special occasion begin from the birth.
Uzbeks love to gather in big groups and entertain the whole village (kishlak) or mahallya (community in cities) on family occasions.
Mass people's festivities are widely celebrated. They are followed by various ceremonies, festive bazaars at which musicians, dancers, wrestlers perform.
Uzbeks are very friendly and hospitable people. It is said: "If one does not have delicious food for a guest, one should have sweet words for him". Uzbeks are supportive of each other.
The ancient custom of Khashar is a unique form of mutual assistance. If a fellow-villager finds himself in difficulty, all the neighbours gather to help him. Mutual assistance reveals itself also while preparing for wedding and circumcision parties, house building, and funeral ceremonies. Uzbeks traditionally have respect for older people. top

Transport Uzbekistan has modernised its transportation facilities. The various regions of the country are connected by air, rail and road.

Air: The national airline is Uzbekistan Airway. Since the independence the airline has expanded its routes. It currently flies to Amritsar, Amsterdam, Athens, Bangkok, Beijing, Birmingham, Delhi, Dhaka, Frankfurt/M, Istanbul, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, London, New York, Osaka, Paris, Rome, Seoul, Sharjah and Tel Aviv.
Within the CIS, it also flies to Moscow, Almaty, Ashgabat, Bishkek, Kiev and other cities in Russia and the Caucasus. The Uzbekistan Airways uses the most modern aircrafts like Boeing 727, Airbus A-310, RJ 85, etc.
Uzbekistan is also served by few international carriers such as Aeroflot Russian Airlines, Armenian Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Azerbaijan Airlines, Belavia, Domodedovo Airlines, Iran Air, Pakistan International Airways, Perm Air, Tatar Airlines, Transaero, Turkish Airlines, Turkmen Airlines, Ukraine Air, Ural Airlines.
Uzbekistan Airways flies to all the major towns and cities in Uzbekistan on a regular basis. Destinations include Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, Nukus, Termez, Andijan, Ferghana, etc. All domestic flights originate at Tashkent.
Rail: There are 3400 km (2113 miles) of railways linking the main cities of Uzbekistan - Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, Nukus, Termez and the Ferghana Valley. The Trans-Caspian Railway traverses the country. Tashkent is the central point for rail services for the whole Central Asia. There are two train stations in Tashkent - North and South. From here railway lines lead to Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation.
Road: A reasonably good road network serves Uzbekistan . The Republic has road connections to all the neighbouring countries.
Urban transport: Public transport is bus, tram, trolleybus and taxi. Tashkent has the only subway (metro) in Central Asia. There are regular bus services to all major towns in Uzbekistan . top