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Uzbekistan at a glance

Uzbekistan is a country that has been shaped by various cultures but also has the influence of the Soviet past. What does this mean for visitors to this fascinating country? We would be happy to share our knowledge with you. Below you will find not only information about visa requirements but also a lot of information about the geography, history, culture, traditions and famous personalities of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan at a glance

The total size of Uzbekistan is 448,900 km², of which 95% is a firm land area. The country is about the same size as Sweden or the state of California.

Two-thirds of the country is occupied by deserts (the Kyzylkum and Karakum), steppes (“Hungry Steppe”), and mountains (the Gissar range of the Tien Shan Mountains). The cities of Uzbekistan, around which life is concentrated, are located in the valleys of the two major rivers, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya.

TASHKENT

CAPITAL

12 AND REPUBLIC OF KARAKALPAKSTAN

PROVINCES

447 400 KM2

TERRITORY

Samarkand Registan — Registan Square, Samarkand

On August 31, 1991, was declared the independence of Uzbekistan from the USSR. The form of state rule—Presidential Republic. As of 2021, the President of Uzbekistan is Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Two-chambered parliament functions in the country. The lower chamber of parliament -Oliy Majlis and the upper chamber of parliament—Senate.

Language and Religion

The official language is Uzbek. Russian is widely spoken, especially in the cities and amongst the older generations. Tajik is also spoken frequently in certain regions.

Uzbekistan’s constitution guarantees religious freedom. The majority of the population belongs to the Sunni Muslim faith. However, there are also Christians, Jews and members of other faiths.