The Republic of Uzbekistan is an independent state that occupies a special geographical and geopolitical position in Central Asia.
Independence and sovereignty of the Republic were declared on August 31, 1991.
Administrative division: there are 12 regions and the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan in the republic.
Capital: Tashkent city
Form of government: presidential republic
Language: Uzbek – the official language, Russian – the language of international communication
Currency: UZS
Time zone: +5 GMT
Coordinates: 41-00 north latitude, 64-00 east longitude
International dialing code: +998
Uzbekistan is located at the central part of Central Asia. Neighboring states: in the east – Kyrgyzstan; in the north-east, north and north-west – Kazakhstan; in the south-west and south of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan and in the south-east – Tajikistan.
Uzbekistan has access to the Aral Sea, but it is one of the two countries in the world that need to cross the territory of two states for access to the World Ocean: all neighboring countries also do not have access to the World Ocean.
According to the constitution, Uzbekistan is a legal democratic state. The highest state representative body is the OliyMajlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which exercises legislative power. The OliyMajlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan consists of two chambers – the Legislative Chamber (lower house) and the Senate (upper chamber). The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan is the executive body of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which provides guidance for the effective functioning of the economy, social and spiritual spheres, and the implementation of laws, other decisions of the OliyMajlis, Decrees and orders of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The length of the borders is 6221 km.
Length: longitude (from north to south) is 925 km; latitude (from west to east) is 1400 km.
The highest elevation above the sea level: the peak of Khazret-Sultan with a height of 4643.3 m (Gissar range). The lowest altitude above the sea level: Kulataysolonchak in the Mynbulak basin is -12.7 m (Kyzylkum desert).
TERRITORY
Total – 447 400 km2;
Land – 425 400 km2;
Water – 22 000 km2;
LANDSCAPE
Most of the territory of Uzbekistan is occupied by plains (about four fifth of its territory). One of the main – plain is Turanianlowland. To the east and north- east of the country there are ranges of the Tien Shan and Pamir, here – the highest point of the country ( 4643 m). In the north central part of the territory of Uzbekistan is one of the largest deserts in the world – the Kyzyl Kum.
CLIMATE
Majorly hot, dry,sharply continental. The temperature difference between the seasons is quite significant. Average winter temperature is 6 C below and in July the average temperature rises above 32 C. The best time to visit Uzbekistan is from the end of March, till the beginnig of June, and from the beginning of August till the end of November.
NATURAL FEATURES
Uzbekistan`s nature features by a combination of subtropical and continental temperature zones.
The earth, the air, water and fire ( the sun ) have been warshiped in Central Asia since the times of Zoroastrianism urging people in to care about the cleanliness of rivers and the soil.
POPULATION AND LABOR RESOURCES
The hospitality is the main distinctive feature of people of Uzbekistan which comes from the depth of centuries.
The population of Uzbekistan is more than 32 million people.
In terms of population Uzbekistan holds the third place among the CIS countries and 1st among the States of the Central Asia.
Almost 80 % of its population are the Uzbeks . Uzbekistan multicultural country – it is home for over 100 nationalities where the Russian consist of 5.5 %, Tajiks 5 %, Kazakhs 3%, Karakalpaks 2.5 %, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5 %. Religious denominations are Muslim 88 % (mostly Sunnis ), Christian Orthodox 9 % and others 3% ( Judaists, Buddhists, Catholics, Protestants etc.)
Uzbekistan, like other Central Asian states, is featured by a relatively ” young” population and a high proportion of people of working age. The share of those below working age in the general population is 39%, of working age – 54 %, of retireds – 7%.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
New Year – January the 1st
International Women’s Day – March the 8th
Celebration of Navruz – March the 21th
Memorial Day – May the 9th
Independence Day – September the 1st
Teacher’s day – October the 1st
Constitution Day – December the 8th
Eid – al- Fitr ( religious festival ) – date varies
Eid al- Adha ( religious festival ) – date varies