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Introduction of Uzbekistan

Overview of Uzbekistan

Country name: THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN

Republic of Uzbekistan is the largest country in the region and occupies a specific geographical and geopolitical position in Central Asia abundant with natural and human resources.

Uzbekistan consists of 12 provinces and Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan.

Independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Uzbekistan was proclaimed on August 31, 1991 in Tashkent.

GEOGRAPHY

Location: Central Asia, north of Afghanistan.

Access to sea: Country is encircled by land.

Note: border passes through Aral Sea (420 km. of seaside of Aral sea).

Neighbors: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

Coordinates: 41 00 N, 64 00 E

Area:
   total – 447,400 sq. km.;
   land – 425,400 sq. km.;
   water – 22,000 sq. km.

Land boundaries:
total length – 6,221 km.

extent of borders with Afghanistan - 137 km., Kazakhstan – 2,203 km., Kirgizstan – 1,099 km., Tadjikistan – 1,161 km., Turkmenistan – 1,621 km.;

Terrain. Most of the territory of Uzbekistan is occupied by plains (near four fifth of the territory). One of the main is Turanian plain. In the east and northeast of country are situated spurs of Tien-Shan and the Pamirs, here is the highest spot of country (4 643 ì). There is one of the largest desert of the world – Kizilkums on the north of central part of the territory of Uzbekistan.

Climate. Climate of the country is mostly middle attitude desert-continental. Difference of temperatures depending on times of year is quite significant. Average January temperature goes lower than -6Ñ, but average of July rises higher than +32Ñ. The amount of rainfall is little, that’s why agriculture mostly depends on irrigation.

Features of Uzbekistan’s nature

Peculiarity of nature of Uzbekistan consists in combination of subtropical features to features of moderate zone.  

The Earth, air, water and fire (sun) were esteemed in the Central Asia from times of Zoroastrianizm calling people in an extreme antiquity to care of cleanliness of the rivers and fertility of soil.

Internal waters. Majority of rivers of Uzbekistan are currently drying up, only Amu-Darya and Sir-Darya fall into the Aral Sea. There are several large artificial lakes in Uzbekistan, such as Chardarya reservoir.

Glaciers. Over 16 million square kilometers, or 11 percents of all terrestrial land, occupy today glaciers. By scientists it is counted up, that in them "is inhibited" more than 27 million cub. km. moisture. If to kindle them the level of World ocean will be raised approximately on 66 meters, and waters only the Antarctic glacier which volume is equal to 24 million cub.km. , will suffice for feeding all rivers of globe within 830 years. The greatest on the sizes valley glaciers are located in mountains of Central Asia. Largest of them - glacier Fedchenko (Pamir) and Inilchek (east part Central Tyan-Chyan). Glaciers are natural accumulators and sources of fresh water and under the right are considered as one of the most valuable natural resources. According to experts, only in territory of Uzbekistan 547 glaciers with total area of 231 square kilometers are located. Largest of them - Barkrak and Ayutor in Tashkent, glacier Severtsev in Kashkadarya region. It is difficult to overestimate value of glaciers in feeding by water drain of the rivers of Central Asia - Amu Darya, Zarafshan, Chirchik, it is especial in second half of summer - the beginning of an autumn when needs for water most grow. Water in our cities, watering the gardens, cotton, vegetable, rice plantations are all of them, glaciers - invaluable gift of nature.

The unique world of desert.In Uzbekistan deserts occupy huge territory. Sandy, clay, saline, stony at first sight, they too are sad and lifeless. But it only at first sight: the unique world of these spaces is full of life.

Spring - is time, when the desert comes to life, turns green, blazes scarlet poppies. Bushes throw out their soft colored flowers. Period of life of these ephemers is short, until summer begins they should grow, blossom out, throw seeds in ground.

Reptiles, rodents wake up after winter hibernation. There is a number of turtles, snakes, lizards, big-eared  hedgehogs, toads in Kyzyl Kum,  Ustyurt, in Golodnaya step, Fergana valley. As well there are grey giant-lizard, jeyran and saigaks, foxes and wolves, gophers, number of birds which occupy desert, having adapted to its severe customs.

Reserves of Uzbekistan. There are 13 reserves in territory of Uzbekistan. Their general area amounts to 252,5 thd. ha. The largest reserves: Mirakinsky, Chatkalsky; Mountainous-juniper:    Chatkalsky, Nuratinsky, Kizilsuisky, Mirakinsky, Zaaminsky;

Mountain system.Mountains and foothills form approximately 1/5 territory of the republic. In the east dominate middle and high mountainous forms of the terrain: declivities or completions of mountain ranges West Tien-Shan (mountain ranges Ugam, Pskent, Chatkal, Kuramin) and the Pamirs-Alay (mountain ranges Zeravshan, Turkestan, Gissar, Kugitangtau, Baysuntau) are within the republic. To the south and west, they are gradually lower and move over to plains. Quiet big troughs: Kashqadarya, Surkhandarya, Zeravshan and Samarqand stretch between mountains. The largest intermountain trough – Ferghana hollow (valley) - 370 kilometers, and in the width reaches 190 kilometers. It is surrounded by the mountain ranges from three sides and open only from the west. Extensive Near Amu-Darya trough is on the border with Afghanistan.

National parks of Uzbekistan

There are 13 reserves in territory of  Uzbekistan. Their total area amounts to 252,5 thd. ha.

The largest reserves: Mirakin, Chatkal;

Mountainous-juniper:  Chatkal, Nurat, Kizilsui, Mirakin, Zaamin;  

Sandy-deserted: Karakul, Arnasay, Vardanzin,

Jungles: Aral-Paygambar, Kizilkum, Badaytugay, Zarafshan, Abdusamat. 

There are sole nurseries in the world for breeding the jeyrans in Dzhizak and Bukhara regions. 

THE STATE FLAG

The law about "The State Flag of the Republic of Uzbekistan" was adopted on November 18 in 1991 in the 8th session of the Supreme Council of Uzbekistan.

The flag of our country is a symbol of the sovereignty of the Republic. The national flag of the Republic represents the country internationally when official delegations from Uzbekistan visit foreign countries, as well as at conferences, world exhibition, and sports competitions.

The national flag of the Republic is a right-angled colored cloth of three horizontal stripes: blue, white and green.

Blue is the symbol of the sky and water, which are the main source of life. Mainly blue was the color of the state flag of Temur.

White is the traditional symbol of peace and good luck, as Uzbek people say "Ok yul".

Green is the color of nature and new life and good harvest.

Two thin red stripes symbolize the power of life.

There is a new moon, which symbolizes the newly independent Republic.

There are twelve stars, which stand for spiritual sign. The stars also signify the historical traditions of the Uzbek people, as well as ancient solar calendar. A particular attention to twelve stars in the flag is explained yet by another suggestion, that in the states previously existed in the territory of modern Uzbekistan the scientific thought as "Astrology" had seen its rise. The stars in the Uzbek flag also point to the ancient roots of local culture, the aspirations of Uzbek people towards perfection and loyalty.

THE STATE EMBLEM

The law about "The State Emblem" was approved by the 10-th session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan on July 2, 1992.

The new state emblem of the Republic of Uzbekistan was created to reflect the many centuries of experience of the Uzbek people.

The state emblem of the Republic presents the image of the rising sun over a flourishing valley. Two rivers run through the valley, representing the Syrdarya and Amudarya. The emblem is bordered by wheat on the right side and branches of cotton with opened cotton bolls on the left side.

The eight-angle star is at the top of the emblem, symbolizing the unity and confirmation of the republic. The crescent and star inside the eight-pointed star are the sacred symbols of Islam. The mythical bird Semurg with outstretched wings is placed in the center of the emblem as the symbol of the national Renaissance. The entire composition aims to express to desire of the Uzbek people for peace, happiness and prosperity. At the bottom of the emblem inscribed the word "Uzbekistan" written in Uzbek on a ribbon in the national colors of the flag.

POPULATION AND LABOR RESOURCES

The population of the Republic of Uzbekistan is more than 26 million 485 thousand people (by 4-th quarter 2006), of them 37 % - urban and 63 % - rural residents.

In terms of population Uzbekistan comes the third among CIS countries and the first among countries of the Central Asia.

Mainly populated by Uzbeks, who form almost 80% of population. Uzbekistan is a multinational country; there are more than 100 nations here. Russian 5.5%; Tajik 5%; Kazakh 3%; Karakalpak 2.5%; Tatar 1.5%; other 2.5% . The major religious groupings are Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis); Eastern Orthodox 9%; other 3%.

Republic of Uzbekistan, as other countries of the Central Asia, characterizes with comparatively “young” population and high portion of them in the structure of its populace at working age. Share of people below working age is 39% of total population at working age – 54% and above – 7%.

CURRENCY

Since July 1st, 1994  "Soum" the national currency has been introduced as a unique lawful payment mean on territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

1 Soum = 100 tiyn. Notes are in denominations of Soum 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 3 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, 3 and 1 tiyn.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS