Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan, officially the Republic of Uzbekistan, is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia, surrounded by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. It is one of only two doubly landlocked countries on Earth, the other being Liechtenstein. With a population of over 38.2 million, Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia. The official language is Uzbek, though Russian and Tajik are also widely spoken. Islam is the main religion, and most people follow the Sunni tradition.

The history of Uzbekistan dates back thousands of years. Early settlers, known as Eastern Iranian nomads, founded kingdoms in regions like Khwarazm, Sogdiana, and Bactria. Over time, the area became part of great empires such as the Achaemenid, Sasanian, and later the Islamic empires. Cities along the Silk Road grew rich and became centers of learning during the Islamic Golden Age. In the 14th century, the Timurid Empire made Samarkand a hub of science and culture.

Today, Uzbekistan is a secular nation with a semi-presidential government. It consists of twelve regions, the city of Tashkent, and the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan. In recent years, Uzbekistan has undergone important changes that have improved its relationships with neighboring countries and helped it move toward its goals for a better future.

The Uzbek economy is changing, with efforts to support local businesses and trade. Uzbekistan is known for producing cotton and generating a lot of electricity, thanks to power plants built a long time ago and its supplies of natural gas. These changes have helped the country grow and attract attention from international organizations. Uzbekistan is also a member of several global groups, working together for peace and development in the region.

Etymology

The name Uzbekistan has several possible origins. One idea is that it comes from words meaning "own master" or "leader." Another theory says it might be named after a leader called Oghuz Khagan. Some think the name comes from a tribe called the Oghuz combined with a word for leader. Finally, a few scholars believe it is linked to a ruler named Özbeg Khan, from whom the Uzbeks came.

During times when Russia controlled the area, the country's name was written differently in their writing systems.

History

Main article: History of Uzbekistan

The land that is now Uzbekistan has had many names throughout history. The name "Uzbekistan" first appeared in writings from the 16th century. Other old names for the area include Transoxiana, Turkestan, and Bukhara. In the 14th century, a famous leader named Tamerlane was born there. He ruled a large empire called the Timurid Empire, which stretched from the Black Sea to the Arabian Sea, and nearly to Delhi, India.

Prehistory and ancient history

Long ago, many groups of people moved into Central Asia. During very old times, nomadic tribes called Scythian people came from a big open area called the Eurasian Steppe, which includes the land that is now Uzbekistan. When they settled down, they built systems to bring water to their fields along the rivers. This led to the growth of important cities like Bukhoro (Bukhara) and Samarqand (Samarkand). By around the year 500 BC, different groups such as the Bactrian, Sogdian, and Tokharian people lived in the region.

As trade grew between East Asia and the rest of the world, merchants from Transoxiana became very successful. Cities like Bukhara and Samarkand became very rich because they were key stops on the Silk Road.

Leaders from far away, such as the Achaemenid emperors Cyrus the Great and Darius the Great, controlled the area around the Amu Darya river. Later, the famous ruler Alexander the Great from Macedonia took over parts of this land. After his time, other groups like the Yuezhi people took control, followed by the Kushan Empire. For many years, different empires, including the Hephthalites and Sassanid Empires, ruled the region.

Medieval history

From the 7th century onward, people brought Islam to Uzbekistan. During this time, many Turkic peoples also began to follow Islam.

In the 8th century, leaders called Arabs took control of Transoxiana, the land between the Amudarya and Syrdarya rivers. Later, new groups like the Karakhanids and their rulers called the Seljuk took over.

In the 13th century, a huge change came when leaders led by Genghis Khan from the Mongol people invaded. Their attacks on cities like Bukhara and Samarkand caused great damage.

After Genghis Khan died in 1227, his empire was divided among his family. Control of Transoxiana stayed with the family of his second son, Chagatai Khan. For many years, the land was peaceful and strong under their rule.

Timurid period

A leader named Timur, also known as Tamerlane, rose to power in the 1380s. Though he was not related to Genghis Khan, Timur took control of Transoxiana and went on to conquer many lands, including parts of Iran, the Caucasus, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, and areas north of the Aral Sea. He also tried to invade China but died during this attempt in 1405.

Timur brought artists, scholars, and craftsmen from many places to his capital city, Samarkand. This helped create a rich culture. During his time and that of his family, many beautiful buildings were constructed in Samarkand and other cities.

Timur’s grandson, Ulugh Beg, became a famous scientist and astronomer. Writers like Ali-Shir Nava'i also lived during this time.

Uzbek period

After Timur died, his empire split apart. Fighting among his family members caught the attention of Uzbek tribes living north of the Aral Sea. In 1501, these Uzbek tribes invaded Transoxiana. The area was later taken over by leaders from Persia in 1740 and became part of their empire.

Before Russia came, Uzbekistan was divided between two areas: the Emirate of Bukhara and smaller states called khanates in Khiva and Kokand.

Russian conquest

Main article: Russian Turkestan

In the 1800s, the Russian Empire began to move into Central Asia. By 1912, over 200,000 Russians lived in Uzbekistan. This time was called the "Great Game" and lasted from about 1813 until 1907. After the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, Russia continued to control the area.

Soviet period

Main article: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic

By 1920, Russia fully controlled Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, after some people there resisted. On October 27, 1924, the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic was formed. During World War II, many soldiers from Uzbekistan fought for the Red Army against Nazi Germany. After the war, Uzbekistan sent soldiers to fight in Afghanistan during the Soviet–Afghan War.

Independence

Uzbekistan announced it would become independent on June 20, 1990. Finally, on August 31, 1991, after a failed attempt to change leaders in Moscow, Uzbekistan declared independence. September 1 is celebrated as National Independence Day. The Soviet Union ended later that year, on December 26.

Islam Karimov, who had been a leader since 1989, became the first president of independent Uzbekistan. After he died in 2016, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who had been the Prime Minister, took over. He was re-elected in 2021 and continues to lead the country.

Geography and climate

Main article: Geography of Uzbekistan

See also: List of cities in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a big country in Central Asia. It is the 56th largest country in the world by size and the 40th by number of people. It is surrounded by five countries: Kazakhstan to the north, Kyrgyzstan to the northeast, Tajikistan to the southeast, Afghanistan to the south, and Turkmenistan to the southwest. This makes it one of only two countries in the world that is completely landlocked, meaning it has no coast or sea nearby.

The country has a hot, dry climate. Most of the land is desert, with very little rain. The temperatures can get very hot in the summer, around 40 °C (104 °F), and very cold in the winter, around −23 °C (−9 °F).

Uzbekistan has many different natural areas, including deserts, mountains, and woodlands. However, many years of focusing on growing cotton have caused serious problems for the environment, such as pollution and loss of water.

The Aral Sea, once a large lake, has almost disappeared because too much water was taken for farming. This has caused serious damage to the land and air around it.

The loss of the Aral Sea has made the soil very salty and dirty, especially in the area called Karakalpakstan. Most of the country's water is used for farming, which also adds to the problem.

Uzbekistan also has some oil and gas. The country has experienced earthquakes in the past.

A dam broke in May 2020, flooding a large area of land.

Air pollution

The air in Uzbekistan has become more polluted over time. This started with local emissions and got worse with industrial activities. The drying up of the Aral Sea has added dust and salt to the air. Today, pollution comes from cars, construction, and heating homes. The capital city, Tashkent, often has very dirty air.

Responses to climate change

Uzbekistan’s climate makes it very sensitive to changes, especially problems with water. The country is working on ways to manage risks and help people adapt, but it still needs better plans for forests, water, and disaster communication. Changes in temperature and water are already affecting crops like cotton and fruits. The country is also trying to move toward using less energy that pollutes the air, while making sure people have access to health care and technology.

Politics

Main articles: Politics of Uzbekistan and Elections in Uzbekistan

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev leads Uzbekistan. After the country became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991, Islam Karimov was chosen as the first president. Elections for the country's parliament, called the Oliy Majlis, happened several times over the years.

When Karimov passed away in 2016, Mirziyoyev took over as president and has worked on changes to make the government more open and fair.

Foreign relations

Main articles: Foreign relations of Uzbekistan and International organization membership of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan works with many countries and groups around the world. It joined groups like the United Nations and works to keep peace in its area. The country has had changing relationships with the United States and other nations over the years, especially after events in nearby countries.

Uzbekistan is part of many important international groups, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the United Nations. It is also working towards joining the World Trade Organization.

Recent developments

After Karimov’s passing in 2016, President Mirziyoyev has started to work more closely with groups that watch over rights and freedoms. There have been steps to stop forced work in farms, and some rules have been changed to be fairer.

Administrative divisions

Main articles: Regions of Uzbekistan and Districts of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is divided into twelve regions, one autonomous republic, and one independent city. These regions are then divided into smaller areas called districts.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is rich in natural resources. It mines a lot of gold each year, ranking seventh in the world. The country also has large amounts of copper and uranium. Uzbekistan makes a lot of natural gas, too, and has many places where oil and gas could be found.

The economy of Uzbekistan has grown a lot over the years. It has become stronger and more varied, making it a good partner for other countries, especially China. The country grows a lot of cotton, which is very important for its economy. Agriculture uses many people, and there are also jobs in making things and providing services.

Uzbekistan has faced many economic challenges since it became independent. The government has tried to control the economy closely, which has sometimes made it hard for foreign businesses to invest. However, the country has managed to grow, especially in areas like technology. The IT sector is growing fast, and Uzbekistan has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of Uzbekistan and Uzbeks

As of 2022, Uzbekistan has the largest population of any country in Central Asia. About 36 million people live there, making up nearly half of the region's total population. The country has a very young population, though it is slowly getting older. About 23% of people are younger than 16 years old.

The majority of people in Uzbekistan are Uzbeks, making up about 85% of the population. Other groups include Tajiks, Kazakhs, Karakalpaks, Russians, and Tatars.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Uzbekistan

Most people in Uzbekistan follow Islam, which makes up about 94% of the population. Christianity makes up a small part, about 1.2%, and there are also people with no religious beliefs and other faiths.

Uzbekistan is a country where the government does not favor any particular religion. Islam is the most common belief, though during Soviet times, showing religion was not encouraged. After Soviet control ended in 1991, people slowly started to practice their faith more openly again.

Jewish community

Main articles: Uzbek Jews and Bukharian Jews

The Jewish community in Uzbekistan has lived there for many centuries. During Soviet times, Jewish religious practices were limited. Today, only a small number of Jews remain in the country, mostly in cities like Tashkent, Bukhara, and Samarkand.

Languages

Main article: Languages of Uzbekistan

The official language of Uzbekistan is Uzbek, which belongs to the Turkic language family. It is written using the Latin alphabet today. Before, it used different writing systems.

Karakalpak is another official language in the region of Karakalpakstan. Russian is widely used, especially in cities, even though it is not an official language. The Tajik language, a type of Persian, is also spoken in some areas.

Communications

Main article: Communications in Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan, many people use mobile phones. By March 2008, about 7 million people had mobile phones, and by 2017, this number grew to over 24 million. The biggest mobile phone company is MTS-Uzbekistan, followed by Beeline and UCell.

As of 2019, more than 22 million people, or about 52% of the country's population, used the internet.

Censorship

Censorship in Uzbekistan exists. In October 2012, the government made it harder to access the internet by blocking certain services. Some groups have criticized the government's control of the internet. Reporters have faced difficulties working in the country since 2005.

Transportation

Main article: Transport in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, has a metro system that started in 1977 and grew after the country became independent in 1991. It is known for being very clean and beautiful, with stations that look like fancy places. For example, one station has a space travel theme to honor important achievements in space.

The city also has trams, buses, and many taxis. Uzbekistan makes modern cars with help from the government and a Korean company. In 2007, a local car maker signed an agreement with a big American car company.

Trains connect many towns in Uzbekistan and nearby countries. In 2011, Uzbekistan opened its first high-speed train between Tashkent and Samarkand.

During World War II, a big airplane factory was built in Tashkent. It made many planes for the Soviet Union. After the Soviet Union broke up, the factory made fewer planes, but there are plans to improve it again.

After Uzbekistan became independent in 1992, the national airline Uzbekistan Airways was created. It helps connect Uzbekistan with the world through flights to many countries. Tashkent International Airport is the biggest airport in the Central Asian region, and several other cities also have airports. The airline works with big airplane companies from Europe and America to keep its fleet modern.

Military

Main article: Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has the largest armed forces in Central Asia, with around 120,000 servicemen. The country's military structure comes from the old Turkestan Military District of the Soviet Army. The equipment used by the Uzbek Armed Forces is mostly from the Soviet era, with some new Russian and American additions.

The government of Uzbekistan has agreed to follow arms control rules from the former Soviet Union and joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear state. The country also works with the U.S. Defence Threat Reduction Agency in western Uzbekistan, near Nukus and Vozrozhdeniye Island. Uzbekistan spends about 3.7% of its economy on the military and has received more help and funds for security since 1998.

After the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11, 2001, Uzbekistan allowed the U.S. to use an air base called the Karshi-Khanabad airfield. However, after some events in 2005, Uzbekistan asked the U.S. to leave, and the last U.S. troops departed in November 2005. In 2020, there were claims that the former U.S. base had radioactive materials, but the Uzbek government denied this.

In 2006, Uzbekistan joined the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), but later paused its membership in June 2012.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Uzbekistan

See also: Kurash, Islam in Uzbekistan, and Scout Association of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has a wide mix of ethnic groups and cultures, with the Uzbek people being the largest group. In 1995, about 71% of the population was Uzbek. Other groups include Russians, Tajiks, Kazakhs, Tatars, and Karakalpaks. Many people moved away or returned during changes in the country’s history.

Media

Main article: Mass media in Uzbekistan

Since Uzbekistan became independent in 1991, its media has changed a lot. At first, the government controlled almost everything, but now there is more freedom, even though the government still has a strong influence. Television, radio, and newspapers are mostly owned by the government, but the internet is growing, even with some limits. Independent news sources are appearing, but journalists sometimes face problems.

Music

Main article: Music of Uzbekistan

Central Asian classical music, called Shashmaqam, started in Bukhara in the late 1600s. It has six parts in different musical modes and includes spoken poetry between the music.

Education

Main article: Education in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has a high rate of people who can read and write, but not all children are in school. Students go to school from Monday to Saturday, and schooling ends after 11th grade. The country has faced money problems in education, and there have been changes to improve schools and teaching. Many students from wealthier families sometimes find ways to get good grades without attending class or taking exams.

Holidays

See also: Public holidays in Uzbekistan

• 1 January: New Year's Day, "Yangi Yil Bayrami"
• 14 January: Day of Defenders of the Motherland, "Vatan Himoyachilari kuni"
• 8 March: International Women's Day, "Xalqaro Xotin-Qizlar kuni"
• 21 March: Nowruz, "Navroʻz Bayrami"
• 9 May: Day of Remembrance and Honour, "Xotira va Qadrlash kuni"
• 1 September: Independence Day, "Mustaqillik kuni"
• 1 October: Teachers' Day, "Oʻqituvchi va Murabbiylar kuni"
• 8 December: Constitution Day, "Konstitutsiya kuni"

Variable date

• End of Ramadan, Ramazon Hayiti (Eid al-Fitr)
• 70 days later, Qurbon Hayiti (Eid al-Adha)

Cuisine

Main article: Uzbek cuisine

See also: List of Uzbek dishes and Soviet cuisine

Uzbek food is influenced by the country’s farming, especially grains, so bread and noodles are important. Mutton is popular because there are many sheep. The country’s most famous dish is palov (or plov), made with rice, meat, carrots, and onions. Other common foods include soups, noodle dishes, stuffed pockets, stews, and kebabs. Green tea is the most popular drink, and it is always offered to guests.

Sport

Main article: Sport in Uzbekistan

See also: Uzbekistan at the Olympics, Football in Uzbekistan, and Rugby union in Uzbekistan

Before Uzbekistan became independent in 1991, its sports teams were part of the Soviet Union. After independence, Uzbekistan made its own teams for football, rugby, basketball, and futsal.

Football

Football is the most popular sport. The top league is the Uzbek Super League, with 16 teams. The current champions (2022) are FC Pakhtakor. In 2025, Uzbek player Abdukodir Khusanov joined Manchester City, becoming the first Uzbek in the Premier League.

Wrestling

Artur Taymazov won Uzbekistan’s first wrestling medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics, followed by three Olympic gold medals. Uzbekistan is also home to the International Kurash Association, a modern version of traditional Uzbek wrestling.

Boxing

Boxing is very popular. Uzbekistan has won many Olympic medals in boxing, including five gold medals at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Ruslan Chagaev was a world champion boxer, and Hasanboy Dusmatov won Olympic and world awards.

Ice hockey

Humo Tashkent, a professional ice hockey team, was started in 2019. They aim to join the top league and play at the Humo Ice Dome.

Tennis

Tennis became more popular after Uzbekistan became independent in 1991. The country has its own Tennis Federation and hosts the Tashkent Open tournament. Famous players include Denis Istomin and Akgul Amanmuradova.

Chess

Chess is popular in Uzbekistan. The country has produced world champions like Rustam Kasimdzhanov and Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who won the World Rapid Chess Championship in 2021. The Uzbek team won gold at the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai.

Other Sports

Other popular sports include basketball, judo, team handball, baseball, taekwondo, and futsal.

Ulugbek Rashitov won Uzbekistan’s first Olympic gold medal in taekwondo at the Tokyo 2021 Games.

In 2022, the World Judo Championships were held in Tashkent.

In 2024, the FIFA Futsal World Cup was held in Uzbekistan.

UNESCO World Heritage sites

Uzbekistan has five cultural and two natural sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The cultural sites are:

• Itchan Kala (Khiva), added in 1990
• Historic Centre of Bukhara, added in 1993
• Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz, added in 2000
• Samarkand – Crossroads of Cultures, added in 2001
• Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor, added in 2023

The natural sites are:

• Western Tien-Shan, added in 2016
• Cold Winter Deserts of Turan, added in 2023