Welcome to UzbekistanWelcome to Uzbekistan

Created by Umid InagambaevCreated by Umid InagambaevMay 15, 2007May 15, 2007

UzbekistanUzbekistanUzbekistanUzbekistanEastern Asia StarEastern Asia Star

Uzbekistan is approximately the size of Morocco or California and has an area Uzbekistan is approximately the size of Morocco or California and has an area of 447,400 square kilometers (172,700 sq.mi). It is the 56th-largest country.of 447,400 square kilometers (172,700 sq.mi). It is the 56th-largest country.Uzbekistan stretches 1,425 kilometers (885 mi) from west to east and 930 Uzbekistan stretches 1,425 kilometers (885 mi) from west to east and 930 kilometers (578 mi) from north to south. Bordering Turkmenistan to the kilometers (578 mi) from north to south. Bordering Turkmenistan to the southwest, Kazakhstan and the Aral Sea to the north, and Tajikistan and southwest, Kazakhstan and the Aral Sea to the north, and Tajikistan and Kirgizstan to the south and east, Uzbekistan is not only one of the larger Kirgizstan to the south and east, Uzbekistan is not only one of the larger Central Asian states but also the only Central Asian state to border all of the Central Asian states but also the only Central Asian state to border all of the other four. Uzbekistan also shares a short border with Afghanistan to the other four. Uzbekistan also shares a short border with Afghanistan to the south.south.

Geographic location Geographic location

Uzbekistan is a dry, double-landlocked country; 10% of its territory is intensely Uzbekistan is a dry, double-landlocked country; 10% of its territory is intensely cultivated irrigated river valleys. It is one of two double-landlocked countries in the cultivated irrigated river valleys. It is one of two double-landlocked countries in the world - the other being Liechtenstein ; and although in the case of Uzbekistan this world - the other being Liechtenstein ; and although in the case of Uzbekistan this is less clear, since it has borders with two countries (Kazakhstan in the north and is less clear, since it has borders with two countries (Kazakhstan in the north and Turkmenistan in the south) bordering the landlocked but non-freshwater Turkmenistan in the south) bordering the landlocked but non-freshwater Caspian Caspian SeaSea from which ships can reach the from which ships can reach the Sea of AzovSea of Azov and thus the and thus the Black SeaBlack Sea, the , the Mediterranean SeaMediterranean Sea and the oceans. and the oceans.The highest point in Uzbekistan is The highest point in Uzbekistan is Adelunga ToghiAdelunga Toghi at 4,301 meters (14,111 ft). at 4,301 meters (14,111 ft).

Uzbekistan National FlagUzbekistan National Flag

The flag of Uzbekistan was adopted on November 18, 1991. Several theories have been given as to the symbolic meaning of this flag. The 12 stars represent the 12 administrative divisions (viloyat) of the country.

The blue stripe is said to represent the sky, white stripe to represent justice, and the green stripe to represent hospitability, with the two narrow red stripes representing strength. The crescent moon is said to represent the traditional Islamic culture base of the majority of the population.

A second explanation of the flag states that the 12 stars represent either the 12 months, or the 12 zodiac signs, that the white strip represents cotton, the main crop of the country, and that the crescent moon represents Islam.

A third explanation states that blue represents water, white represents peace and green represents nature, with red lines of life force connecting each component.

The current coat of arms of The current coat of arms of UzbekistanUzbekistan was was adopted on adopted on July 2July 2, , 19921992. It is similar to the coat . It is similar to the coat of arms of the previous of arms of the previous Uzbek SSRUzbek SSR. Like other . Like other post-Soviet republics whose arms do not post-Soviet republics whose arms do not predate the predate the October RevolutionOctober Revolution, the current , the current arms retains some components of the Soviet arms retains some components of the Soviet one.one.The coat of arms is in the form of a circle The coat of arms is in the form of a circle and mainly bears the national colors blue, and mainly bears the national colors blue, white, and green. On the left there is a white, and green. On the left there is a cotton plant and to the right wheat borders cotton plant and to the right wheat borders the coat of arms, cotton and wheat are the the coat of arms, cotton and wheat are the two major agricultural products of the two major agricultural products of the country.country.It is surmounted by the star of It is surmounted by the star of Rub El HizbRub El Hizb ((۞۞), a symbol of ), a symbol of IslamIslam, to which a majority of , to which a majority of Uzbeks profess.Uzbeks profess.In the middle, a Khumo, symbol of In the middle, a Khumo, symbol of happiness and love of freedom, beats its happiness and love of freedom, beats its wings. In the background a birds eye view wings. In the background a birds eye view of Uzbekistan is painted. The rising of Uzbekistan is painted. The rising sunsun over over the mountains with its sun rays rounds off the the mountains with its sun rays rounds off the image.image.The two rivers behind the bird, leading to The two rivers behind the bird, leading to the mountains, symbolize the the mountains, symbolize the Amu DaryaAmu Darya and and Sir DaryaSir Darya..

National Emblem of UzbekistanNational Emblem of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT – TASHKENT – capital of Uzbekistan capital of Uzbekistan

RepublicRepublic

President of UzbekistanPresident of Uzbekistan Islam Abduganiyevich KarimovIslam Abduganiyevich Karimov Was born on January 30 1938Was born on January 30 1938 Has served as the President of Has served as the President of

Uzbekistan since 1991Uzbekistan since 1991 Karimov was born in Karimov was born in SamarkandSamarkand, Uzbek , Uzbek

SSR, Soviet Union. He is half-Uzbek, on SSR, Soviet Union. He is half-Uzbek, on his father's side, and half-Tajik on his his father's side, and half-Tajik on his mother's side. He grew up in a Soviet mother's side. He grew up in a Soviet state-orphanage. He studied engineering state-orphanage. He studied engineering and economics in Tashkent.and economics in Tashkent.

Karimov's wife, Tat’yana Karimova, is an Karimov's wife, Tat’yana Karimova, is an economist. They have two daughters and economist. They have two daughters and three grandchildren. His elder daughter, three grandchildren. His elder daughter, Gulnara Karimova, serves as an advisor for Gulnara Karimova, serves as an advisor for Uzbekistan's ambassador to Russia.Uzbekistan's ambassador to Russia.

The international community has repeatedly The international community has repeatedly criticized the Karimov administration's criticized the Karimov administration's record on human rights and press freedom. record on human rights and press freedom. The UN found torture "institutionalized, The UN found torture "institutionalized, systematic, and rampant" in Uzbekistan's systematic, and rampant" in Uzbekistan's justice system.justice system.

Islam Karimov - President of Uzbekistan

Олий МажлисОлий Мажлис

The Legislative Chamber is the The Legislative Chamber is the lower house of the Supreme lower house of the Supreme Assembly or National Assembly Assembly or National Assembly ((Oliy MajlisOliy Majlis) of Uzbekistan. It has ) of Uzbekistan. It has 120 members, elected for a five-120 members, elected for a five-year terms and 100 members in the year terms and 100 members in the Senate; 84 members elected at the Senate; 84 members elected at the sessions of district, regional and sessions of district, regional and city deputies, and 16 members city deputies, and 16 members appointed by the president.appointed by the president.

“ “НБУ” БанкиНБУ” Банки

ТошкентТошкентТелеминорасТелеминорас

ии

Tashkent Tashkent downtowndowntown

Tashkent at Tashkent at nightnight

Cuisine of Uzbekistan.Cuisine of Uzbekistan.     One particularly distinctive and well-developed aspect of One particularly distinctive and well-developed aspect of

Uzbek culture is its cuisine. Unlike their nomadic Uzbek culture is its cuisine. Unlike their nomadic neighbors, the Uzbeks have had a settled civilization for neighbors, the Uzbeks have had a settled civilization for centuries. Between the deserts and mountains, in the centuries. Between the deserts and mountains, in the oasis and fertile valleys, they cultivated grain and oasis and fertile valleys, they cultivated grain and domesticated livestock. The resulting abundance of domesticated livestock. The resulting abundance of products allowed the Uzbeks to express their strong products allowed the Uzbeks to express their strong tradition of hospitality, which in turn enriched their tradition of hospitality, which in turn enriched their cuisine. The seasons, specifically winter and summer, cuisine. The seasons, specifically winter and summer, greatly influence the composition of the basic menu. In greatly influence the composition of the basic menu. In the summer, fruits, vegetables and nuts are ubiquitous. the summer, fruits, vegetables and nuts are ubiquitous. Fruits grow in abundance in Uzbekistan - grapes, Fruits grow in abundance in Uzbekistan - grapes, melons, watermelons, apricots, pears, apples, cherries, melons, watermelons, apricots, pears, apples, cherries, pomegranates, lemons, persimmons, quinces and figs. pomegranates, lemons, persimmons, quinces and figs. Vegetables are no less plentiful, including some lesser Vegetables are no less plentiful, including some lesser known species such as green radishes, yellow carrots, known species such as green radishes, yellow carrots, dozen of pumpkin and squash varieties, in addition to dozen of pumpkin and squash varieties, in addition to the usual eggplants, peppers, turnips, cucumbers and the usual eggplants, peppers, turnips, cucumbers and luscious tomatoes. luscious tomatoes.

The winter diet traditionally consists of dried fruits and The winter diet traditionally consists of dried fruits and vegetables and preserves. Hearty noodle or pasta-type vegetables and preserves. Hearty noodle or pasta-type dishes are also common chilly-weather fare. dishes are also common chilly-weather fare.

In general, mutton is the preferred source of protein in In general, mutton is the preferred source of protein in the Uzbek diet. Fatty-failed sheep are prized not only for the Uzbek diet. Fatty-failed sheep are prized not only for their meat and fat as a source of cooking oil, but for their their meat and fat as a source of cooking oil, but for their wool as well. Beef and horsemeat are also consumed in wool as well. Beef and horsemeat are also consumed in substantial quantities. Camel and goat meat are less substantial quantities. Camel and goat meat are less common.common.