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Uzbekistan

Ozbekiston

Capital:Tashkent (Toshkent)
Population:27.9M
Currency:Uzbekistan Sum (UZS)
Language:Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%
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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan Factsheet

Customs and Culture

About the People

The Uzbeks have a strong sense of duty to the elderly. Children are taught that it is wrong to openly confront an adult.

Cultural Attributes

Uzbekistan has a rich and diverse cultural heritage, influenced by its location along the Silk Road trading route and the history of different empires and dynasties that have ruled the region. Here are some cultural attributes that are unique to Uzbekistan:

Traditional clothing: The traditional clothing in Uzbekistan includes colorful and ornate dresses and robes, often adorned with intricate embroidery, beadwork, and other decorations. Men's traditional clothing includes the distinctive Uzbek cap called the "tubeteika".

Music and dance: Uzbekistan has a vibrant music and dance scene, with a range of traditional instruments such as the dombra, tanbur, and doira. The dances are often performed in groups and feature elaborate costumes and movements.

Crafts and art: Uzbekistan is known for its skilled craftsmen and artisans who produce exquisite ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and wood carvings. The traditional art of Suzani embroidery, which features intricate patterns and motifs, is particularly famous.

Hospitality: Uzbekistan is known for its hospitality, with guests often welcomed with open arms and treated to generous meals, tea, and sweets. Hospitality is seen as a key value in Uzbek culture and is deeply ingrained in everyday life.

Religion: Islam is the dominant religion in Uzbekistan, and the practice of Islam is an important cultural attribute. Mosques and other religious buildings are common throughout the country, and many traditional rituals and customs are associated with Islam.

Respect for elders: Respect for elders is an important cultural value in Uzbekistan, with older people often given great respect and authority in families and communities.

Literature and poetry: Uzbekistan has a rich literary tradition, with famous poets and writers such as Ali-Shir Nava'i, Abdulla Qodiriy, and Zulfiya Isroilova. Poetry is particularly celebrated, and recitations of poems are often part of cultural events and gatherings.

Children are taught that it is wrong to openly confront an adult.

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Crossroads of the Silk Road

Greetings, Gestures & Visiting

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. 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.

Often accompanying the handshake, is a silent bow, 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.

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.

Western style clothing is worn and by many combined with the traditional Uzbek styles. Traditional clothing for men includes the doppilar (a small square black skullcap. Doppilars are embroidered with fancy patterns that indicate the family ties, place of birth or other significant information. The chopan (long quilted robe) is worn by some. Traditional clothes for women include dyed brightly colored dresses.

Diet

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, praise 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.

Uzbekistan Creche -- Ceramic Hand Painted Ornament

Family

Many household include more than one generation and it is customary for the youngest son and his wife to live permanently in his father's home. kelin toi</span or the wedding, is an important occasion in Ubezk culture. A new Ubezk wife usually moves in with her husband and his family until the next son is ready to marry.

Recreation

Soccer is the most popular sport. Kyrash, a type of wrestling is enjoyed by Uzbek boys. Another sport that is like polo but where hundreds of horsemen try to capture the carcass of a goat and toss it into the opponents goal is also popular. Payr is an unrehearsed debate where two people try to exchange comments about the other. The first person who fails to respond quick enough is considered the loser. Bakka (tightrope walking) is a favorite entertainment for celebrations.

Student Life

Children in Uzbekistan usually attend school from Monday to Friday, with classes starting in the morning and ending in the afternoon. The school year starts in September and ends in June, with breaks for holidays such as New Year's Day and Navruz.

Children in Uzbekistan are often given homework assignments to complete after school. This can include reading, writing, and math exercises. Children in Uzbekistan are often expected to help with household chores, such as cleaning, cooking, and taking care of younger siblings.

Many children in Uzbekistan participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, music lessons, or dance classes after school. These activities are often held in community centers or sports clubs.

Holidays

  • Independence Day

    9/1

    Independence Day

  • Christmas

    12/25

    Christmas

    Christmas in the nation of Uzbekistan is virtually non-existent. The culture of the country is predominantly Muslim. This means that Christmas in Uzbekistan does not have the traditional fanfare and festive ambiance as most other countries. The Orthodox Christian minority community tend to spend Christmas in solemnity in the privacy of their own homes, without any fanfare. Even if they would like to purchase a Christmas tree or decorations, no stores sell them. The celebrated festival of this period is New Year, which features fireworks and community gatherings.

Dates of Interest

  • March 8th

    This holiday is celebrated on March 8th and is a day to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in Uzbekistan and around the world.

How do people greet each other in Uzbekistan?

Men always shake hands with other men, and a handshake can substitute for a formal introduction. Close friends and family of the same sex often greet with kisses, and elders commonly receive a kiss as a sign of respect.

Do

  • Men: shake hands with other men, even without a formal introduction
  • Women: extend your hand first if you want a handshake
  • Remove gloves when shaking hands in winter
  • Greet women with a hug and handshake

Don’t

  • Don't feel offended as a female traveler if you're not included in the handshaking—it's a sign of respect

Good to know

  • Kissing is the most common greeting in the region, sometimes exceeding the usual two or three kisses when showing deep respect or joy

What are the dining and toasting customs in Uzbekistan?

Toasting is central to a banquet, with each guest taking a turn as toast master, standing with a glass of vodka to deliver a short speech before everyone clinks glasses and drinks.

Do

  • Include in your toast: thanks, praise to the host, something witty, and best wishes for health and prosperity
  • Lay a strong foundation of bread and cheese quickly, as the first toast comes within minutes
  • Be prepared to take your turn as toast master

Good to know

  • You may be expected to finish your entire glass when drinking

What etiquette should I keep in mind in Uzbekistan?

Uzbeks have a strong sense of duty to elders, and openly confronting an adult is considered wrong. Hospitality is a deeply held value, with guests welcomed generously.

Do

  • Show great respect to older people, who hold authority in families and communities
  • Accept the generous meals, tea, and sweets offered to guests

Don’t

  • Don't openly confront an adult

What should I wear in Uzbekistan?

Western-style clothing is common, often combined with traditional Uzbek styles. Traditional men's wear includes the doppilar (small square black skullcap) and the chopan (long quilted robe), while women wear brightly colored dresses.

Good to know

  • Doppilar caps are embroidered with patterns indicating family ties or place of birth
  • Islam is the dominant religion, and religious buildings are common throughout the country

What gestures are meaningful in Uzbekistan?

A subtle bow with a hand placed over the heart is a common gesture of deep respect, often accompanying a handshake.

Do

  • When shaking hands, men place the left hand over the heart with a slight bow
  • When not shaking hands, place the right hand on the chest—used when thanking, saying goodbye, or a younger man passing an elder

Good to know

  • The bow is subtle, an almost indiscernible inclination of the head

What is family life like in Uzbekistan?

Many households include more than one generation, and it is customary for the youngest son and his wife to live permanently in his father's home. The wedding (kelin toi) is an important occasion.

Good to know

  • A new wife usually moves in with her husband's family until the next son is ready to marry

What sports and recreation are popular in Uzbekistan?

Soccer is the most popular sport, alongside traditional pastimes like kyrash wrestling and a polo-like game where horsemen compete over a goat carcass.

Good to know

  • Payr is an unrehearsed debate where the first to fail to respond quickly loses
  • Bakka (tightrope walking) is a favorite entertainment for celebrations

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Uzbekistan

View all 34 photos

Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Currency
Uzbekistani sum (UZS)
Time Difference
UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
The area has a severe continental climate that is dry and hot in summer and cool and wet in winter. In the long summer, daytime temperatures often reach or surpass 40°C (104°F), but humidity is low. During the short winter, daytime temperatures usually stay above freezing, but can dip well below, and snow is not unusual. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons.
Airports
247
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Recipes

Featured Dish

Airon — Yogurt Drink

Beverage

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History

Historical Eras

  1. Ancient & Silk Road

    500 BCE – 700

    The territory of modern Uzbekistan formed the core of ancient Sogdia and Bactria, traversed by Achaemenid Persian and then Macedonian conquerors — Alexander the Great passed near Samarkand in 327 BCE. The region flourished as a nexus of the Silk Road, with cities like Samarkand and Bukhara serving as major commercial and cultural hubs linking China, Persia, and the Mediterranean world.

  2. Islamic & Samanid Era

    700 – 1220

    Arab armies conquered Central Asia in the eighth century, introducing Islam and absorbing the region into the Abbasid Caliphate. The indigenous Samanid dynasty reasserted local rule in the ninth century, presiding over a brilliant Persian-Islamic cultural renaissance centered on Bukhara. This era produced major scholars including Ibn Sina (Avicenna) and established Sunni Islam as the enduring faith of the region.

  3. Mongol & Timurid Period

    1220 – 1500

    Genghis Khan's Mongol forces devastated the region in 1220, sacking Samarkand and Bukhara and depopulating much of the settled heartland. Recovery came under Timur (Tamerlane), the Turkic-Mongol conqueror who made Samarkand the glittering capital of a vast empire in the fourteenth century. The Timurid dynasty that followed sponsored extraordinary architectural monuments — including the Registan and Gur-e-Amir — that remain Uzbekistan's defining cultural heritage.

  4. Khanates & Emirates

    1500 – 1865

    Following Timurid decline, the region fragmented into competing Uzbek Khanates — Bukhara, Khiva, and Kokand — ruled by dynasties with strong ties to Persian culture and Sunni Islamic tradition. These city-states sustained sophisticated urban civilizations but engaged in chronic internecine warfare and the slave trade, weakening their capacity to resist outside pressure. By the early nineteenth century, all three khanates were in structural decline as Russian imperial power advanced from the north.

  5. Russian & Soviet Rule

    1865 – 1991

    Russia occupied Tashkent in 1865 and completed its conquest of Central Asia by the 1880s, dissolving the Khanate of Kokand (1876) and reducing Bukhara and Khiva to protectorates. After the Bolshevik Revolution, the Soviet Socialist Republic of Uzbekistan was formally constituted in 1924, with Stalin redrawing borders to fracture ethnic cohesion. Moscow subjected the republic to intensive cotton monoculture, producing severe environmental devastation including the near-total destruction of the Aral Sea.

  6. Independent Uzbekistan

    1991 – present

    Uzbekistan declared independence on September 1, 1991, under President Islam Karimov, who ruled with authoritarian consolidation until his death in 2016. The country has pursued gradual economic diversification away from cotton, developing its substantial mineral, natural gas, and petroleum reserves, while facing persistent challenges including Islamic militancy, endemic corruption, and constrained civil liberties. Shavkat Mirziyoyev's presidency, beginning in 2016, introduced cautious liberalization and a more open regional diplomacy.

Overview

Located in the heart of Central Asia between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers, Uzbekistan has a long and interesting heritage. The leading cities of the famous Silk Road--Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva--are located in Uzbekistan, and many well-known conquerors passed through the land. Alexander the Great stopped near Samarkand on his way to India in 327 B.C. and married Roxanna, daughter of a local chieftain. Conquered by Muslim Arabs in the eighth century A.D., the indigenous Samanid dynasty established an empire in the 9th century. Genghis Khan and his Mongols overran its territory in 1220. In the 1300s, Timur, known in the west as Tamerlane, built an empire with its capital at Samarkand. Uzbekistan’s most noted tourist sites date from the Timurid dynasty. Later, separate Muslim city-states emerged with strong ties to Persia. In 1865, Russia occupied Tashkent and by the end of the 19th century, Russia had conquered all of Central Asia. In 1876, the Russians dissolved the Khanate of Kokand, while allowing the Khanates of Khiva and Bukhara to remain as direct protectorates. Russia placed the rest of Central Asia under colonial administration, and invested in the development of Central Asia’s infrastructure, promoting cotton growing and encouraging settlement by Russian colonists. In 1924, following the establishment of Soviet power, the Soviet Socialist Republic of Uzbekistan was founded from the territories including the Khanates of Bukhara and Khiva and portions of the Ferghana Valley that had constituted the Khanate of Kokand. During the Soviet era, Moscow used Uzbekistan for its tremendous cotton growing and natural resource potential. The extensive and inefficient irrigation used to support the former has been the main cause of shrinkage of the Aral Sea to less than a third of its original volume, making this one of the world’s worst environmental disasters. Uzbekistan declared independence on September 1, 1991.

Timeline of Key Events

  1. 601 – 800

    Arabs conquer Uzbekistan and introduce Islam.

    Arabs conquer Uzbekistan and introduce Islam.

  2. 1141

    Battle of Samarkand (Uzbekistan): Yelutashi defeated Islams.

    Battle of Samarkand (Uzbekistan): Yelutashi defeated Islams.

  3. 1201 – 1400

    Uzbekistan and the rest of Central Asia conquered by Genghis Khan.

    Uzbekistan and the rest of Central Asia conquered by Genghis Khan and becomes part of Mongol empire.

  4. 1301 – 1400

    Uzbekistan part of Turkic ruler Tamerlane’s empire with Samarkand as its capital.

    Uzbekistan part of Turkic ruler Tamerlane’s empire with Samarkand as its capital.

  5. 1701 – 1900

    Uzbekistan comes under independent emirates.

    Uzbekistan comes under independent emirates and khanates of Bukhara, Kokand and Samarkand.

  6. 1917

    Tashkent soviet established following Bolshevik revolution in Russia.

    Tashkent soviet established following Bolshevik revolution in Russia.

  7. 1924

    Stalin divided remnants of Turkestan into the current Central Asian republics.

    Stalin divided remnants of Turkestan into the current Central Asian republics.

View full timeline (13 events)
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Interesting Facts

  • In 2002 it was reported that Russian and Uzbek archaeologists discovered a number of ancient pyramids in the Kashkadarya and Samarkand regions of Uzbekistan. The pyramids which have a flat surface, similar to those found in Central America, are fifteen metres high and thought to be up to two thousand, seven hundred years old.

  • Over the centuries, parts of present-day Uzbekistan were known as Bactria and Sogdiana, and Maverannahr, and later, Turkestan.

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Geography and Environment

Located between the Amu Darya (Oxus) and Syr‑Darya (Jaxarteo) Rivers, Uzbekistan lies at the heart of central Asia. Along its borders are Afghanistan to the south, Turkmenistan to the west and south, Kazakhstan to the north, and Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to the east. Aside from Liechtenstein, Uzbekistan is the world’s only other doubly landlocked country. Covering an area of 500,000 square kilometers, Uzbekistan is roughly the size of California. Most of the country is desert (the Kyzylkum and the Karakum) or irrigated steppe, but it has rugged mountains in the east (a branch of the Tien Shan range), as well as semi‑arid grassland. Only nine percent of Uzbekistan’s land is arable.
Terrain
mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in
Climate
The area has a severe continental climate that is dry and hot in summer and cool and wet in winter. In the long summer, daytime temperatures often reach or surpass 40°C (104°F), but humidity is low. During the short winter, daytime temperatures usually stay above freezing, but can dip well below, and snow is not unusual. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons.
Natural Hazards
NA
Current Environmental Issues
shrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil contamination from buried nuclear processing and agricultural chemicals, including DDT
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%

  • Russian
  • Uzbek

Population

Population
27,865,738
Population in Major Urban Areas
TASHKENT (capital) 2.227 million
Nationality Noun
Uzbekistani
Ethnic Groups
Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5%

Education

Literacy Definition
age 15 and over can read and write
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
Uzbekistan
Full Country Name
Republic of Uzbekistan
Local - Long
Ozbekiston Respublikasi
Local - Short
Ozbekiston
Former Name
Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic

Government Structure

Government Type
republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch
Legal System
evolution of Soviet civil law; still lacks independent judicial system
Executive Branch
chief of state: President Shavkat MIRZIYAYEV (since 14 December 2016) head of government: Prime Minister Abdulla ARIPOV (since 14 December 2016) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the Legislative Chamber elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held on 9 July 2023 (next to be held in 2030); prime minister, ministers, and deputy ministers appointed by the president election results: Shavkat MIRZIYAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Shavkat MIRZIYAYEV 87.7%, with other candidates dividing the remainder of the vote
Legislative Branch
bicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis consists of an Upper House or Senate (100 seats; 84 members are elected by regional governing councils to serve five-year terms and 16 are appointed by the president) and a Lower House or Legislative Chamber (120 seats; elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 26 December 2004 and 9 January 2005 (next to be held December 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Legislative Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LDPU 41, NDP 32, Fidokorlar 17, MTP 11, Adolat 9, unaffiliated 10 note: all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President KARIMOV
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
new constitution adopted 8 December 1992
Independence
1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National Holiday
Independence Day, 1 September (1991)

Capital City

Capital Name
Tashkent (Toshkent)
Capital - geographic coordinate
41 19 N, 69 15 E
Capital Time Difference
UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

tash means "stone" and kent means "city" in Turkic languages, so the name simply denotes "stone city"

Military

Branches: Uzbek Armed Forces: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

The U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

#3, Moyqorghon Street

5th Block, Yunusobod District

Tashkent- 100093

Republic of Uzbekistan

Telephone: 998-71-120-5450

Fax: 998-71-120-5448

Contact the American Citizens Services section by email at consulartashkent@state.gov

If you are a U.S. citizen with an after-hours emergency, please call our hotline at: (99871) 120-5450

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Economy

Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country in Central Asia, with roughly 10% of its land consisting of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. Although urbanization has accelerated in recent decades, about half of the population still lives in rural communities. Uzbekistan ranks among the world's leading cotton producers and exporters, though the government has shifted policy in recent years toward processing cotton domestically rather than exporting it raw. The country is also a major producer of gold, natural gas, uranium, and copper, and a regionally significant producer of chemicals, automobiles, and machinery.

Following independence in December 1991, the government initially maintained a Soviet-style command economy supported by subsidies and tight controls on production, prices, and foreign exchange. This insular approach persisted for more than two decades, leaving Uzbekistan relatively isolated from global markets. Since the election of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in 2016, however, the country has undertaken sweeping economic reforms, including the liberalization of the currency in 2017, tax and tariff reform, the dismantling of state monopolies in key sectors, and renewed efforts to attract foreign direct investment. The government has also pursued World Trade Organization accession and strengthened regional trade ties.

Despite these reforms, the state continues to play a dominant role in the economy, and challenges remain in improving the business climate, reducing corruption, and addressing income inequality. GDP growth has been robust, averaging around 5–6% annually in recent years, supported by remittances, mining, and an expanding services sector. Poverty reduction and job creation for a young, rapidly growing population remain central policy priorities.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Uzbekistan Sum (UZS)
GDP — official exchange rate
$9,860,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
7.2%
Gini Index
26.8

Banknotes

Uzbekistan Money - Front
Uzbekistan Money - Front
Uzbekistan Money - Back
Uzbekistan Money - Back

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year
calendar year
Annual Budget
$2,917,000,000 (USD)
Public Debt (% of GDP)
39%
External Debt
$5,184,000,000 (USD)
Economic Aid
$87,400,000 (USD)
Current Account Balance
$831,900,000 (USD)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange
$2,123,000,000 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation
agriculture 44%; industry 20%; services 36%
Household Income — highest 10%
22%
Industries
textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, natural gas, chemicals
Agriculture Products
cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock
Export Commodities
cotton 41.5%, gold 9.6%, energy products 9.6%, mineral fertilizers, ferrous metals, textiles, food products, automobiles
Export Partners
Russia 19.9%, Italy 8.6%, Tajikistan 7.7%, South Korea 5.6%, Kazakhstan 5.1%, US 4.7%, Turkey 4.4%, Japan 4.3%
Import Commodities
machinery and equipment 49.8%, foodstuffs 16.4%, chemicals, metals
Import Partners
Russia 24%, Germany 10.8%, South Korea 10%, US 7.3%, China 5.5%, Kazakhstan 5.3%, Turkey 4.9%

Energy

Oil Production
152,000 bbl/day
Oil Consumption
120,000 bbl/day
Oil Reserves
600,000,000 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production
55,800,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption
49,300,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Imports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Exports
6,500,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves
1,875,000,000,000 cu m

Communications

Telephone System
general assessment: digital exchanges in large cities and in rural areas domestic: the state-owned telecommunications company, Uzbektelecom, owner of the fixed line telecommunications system, has used loans from the Japanese government and the China Development Bank to upgrade fixed-line services including conversion to digital exchanges; mobile-cellular services are provided by 3 private and 1 state-owned operator with a total subscriber base of 19 million as of January 2014 international: country code - 998; linked by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; the country also has a link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable; Uzbekistan has supported the national fiber optic backbone project of Afghanistan since 2008
Internet Country Code
.uz

News & Weather

Current Weather

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Latest News

News via Google News

Climate Overview

The area has a severe continental climate that is dry and hot in summer and cool and wet in winter. In the long summer, daytime temperatures often reach or surpass 40°C (104°F), but humidity is low. During the short winter, daytime temperatures usually stay above freezing, but can dip well below, and snow is not unusual. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons.

Videos

2 curated YouTube videos.

  • Source: YouTube

  • Source: YouTube

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Uzbekistan?
The population of Uzbekistan is approximately 27.9M.
How do people greet each other in Uzbekistan?
Men always shake hands with other men, and a handshake can substitute for a formal introduction. Close friends and family of the same sex often greet with kisses, and elders commonly receive a kiss as a sign of respect. Do: Men: shake hands with other men, even without a formal introduction Women: extend your hand first if you want a handshake Remove gloves when shaking hands in winter Greet women with a hug and handshake Don't: Don't feel offended as a female traveler if you're not included in the handshaking—it's a sign of respect Kissing is the most common greeting in the region, sometimes exceeding the usual two or three kisses when showing deep respect or joy
What are the dining and toasting customs in Uzbekistan?
Toasting is central to a banquet, with each guest taking a turn as toast master, standing with a glass of vodka to deliver a short speech before everyone clinks glasses and drinks. Do: Include in your toast: thanks, praise to the host, something witty, and best wishes for health and prosperity Lay a strong foundation of bread and cheese quickly, as the first toast comes within minutes Be prepared to take your turn as toast master You may be expected to finish your entire glass when drinking
What etiquette should I keep in mind in Uzbekistan?
Uzbeks have a strong sense of duty to elders, and openly confronting an adult is considered wrong. Hospitality is a deeply held value, with guests welcomed generously. Do: Show great respect to older people, who hold authority in families and communities Accept the generous meals, tea, and sweets offered to guests Don't: Don't openly confront an adult
What should I wear in Uzbekistan?
Western-style clothing is common, often combined with traditional Uzbek styles. Traditional men's wear includes the doppilar (small square black skullcap) and the chopan (long quilted robe), while women wear brightly colored dresses. Doppilar caps are embroidered with patterns indicating family ties or place of birth Islam is the dominant religion, and religious buildings are common throughout the country
What gestures are meaningful in Uzbekistan?
A subtle bow with a hand placed over the heart is a common gesture of deep respect, often accompanying a handshake. Do: When shaking hands, men place the left hand over the heart with a slight bow When not shaking hands, place the right hand on the chest—used when thanking, saying goodbye, or a younger man passing an elder The bow is subtle, an almost indiscernible inclination of the head
What is family life like in Uzbekistan?
Many households include more than one generation, and it is customary for the youngest son and his wife to live permanently in his father's home. The wedding (kelin toi) is an important occasion. A new wife usually moves in with her husband's family until the next son is ready to marry
What sports and recreation are popular in Uzbekistan?
Soccer is the most popular sport, alongside traditional pastimes like kyrash wrestling and a polo-like game where horsemen compete over a goat carcass. Payr is an unrehearsed debate where the first to fail to respond quickly loses Bakka (tightrope walking) is a favorite entertainment for celebrations
What is the capital of Uzbekistan?
Tashkent (also spelled Toshkent) is the capital and largest city of Uzbekistan. It serves as the country's political, economic, and cultural center, and is one of the oldest and most populous cities in Central Asia. Largely rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1966, Tashkent today blends Soviet-era architecture with modern development and historic Islamic monuments, reflecting the country's layered history under Persian, Mongol, Russian, and Soviet rule.
Where is Uzbekistan located?
Uzbekistan is located in Central Asia, occupying a largely landlocked position at the heart of the region. It sits along ancient Silk Road corridors that once connected China to the Mediterranean world. Parts of its present-day territory were historically known as Bactria, Sogdiana, and later Maverannahr and Turkestan — names that reflect the country's long and contested place in Eurasian geography and trade.
What countries border Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan shares borders with five countries: Kazakhstan to the north and west, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, Afghanistan to the south, and Turkmenistan to the southwest. As a doubly landlocked nation — surrounded entirely by other landlocked countries — Uzbekistan faces particular logistical challenges for trade and export. This geographic position has historically made regional diplomacy and overland routes critically important to its economy.
What is the predominant religion in Uzbekistan?
Islam is the dominant religion, practiced by approximately 88% of the population, the vast majority of whom are Sunni Muslim. Eastern Orthodox Christianity accounts for roughly 9%, largely reflecting the country's historic Russian and Slavic minority communities. While Islamic identity is deeply embedded in Uzbek culture — visible in the country's great medieval mosques and madrassas — the government maintains strict secular controls on religious practice and expression.
What is the currency of Uzbekistan?
The currency of Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistan Som, with the ISO code UZS. The som was introduced in 1994, replacing the Soviet ruble following independence in 1991. As Uzbekistan works to reduce its historic dependence on cotton agriculture and develop its mineral and petroleum sectors, the som has undergone significant reforms, including the liberalization of its exchange rate in 2017 — a landmark step toward greater economic openness.
What language is spoken in Uzbekistan?
Uzbek is the official state language, spoken by approximately 74% of the population. Russian remains widely used in business, government, and urban life, spoken by around 14% of residents. Tajik, spoken by roughly 4%, is concentrated in historic cultural centers such as Samarkand and Bukhara. Uzbek belongs to the Turkic language family and has been written in Latin script since the 1990s, replacing the Cyrillic alphabet introduced during the Soviet period.
What is Uzbekistan known for?
Uzbekistan is known above all for its extraordinary Silk Road cities — Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva — whose towering turquoise-tiled mosques, mausoleums, and madrassas rank among the most magnificent Islamic architectural ensembles in the world. The country is also associated with its long history as a major cotton producer, sometimes called the land of "white gold," though intensive Soviet-era cultivation severely depleted water resources and contributed to the near-disappearance of the Aral Sea. Uzbek cuisine, particularly plov (a rice and meat dish considered a national staple), and vibrant bazaar culture also define the country's identity.
What is the geography and terrain of Uzbekistan like?
Uzbekistan is a largely arid, landlocked country whose terrain ranges from the vast Kyzylkum Desert in the center and west to fertile river valleys fed by the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, and foothills of the Tian Shan and Pamir-Alay mountain ranges in the east. The country has no sea coastline, though it once bordered the Aral Sea, which has dramatically shrunk due to Soviet-era irrigation diversion. This environmental degradation remains one of the most severe ecological disasters in modern history.

Last reviewed 2026

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