ABOUT Uzbekistan
 
- Location: Central Asia
- Nationality: Uzbekistani
- Official language: Uzbek
- Capitol: Tashkent
- Population: 26,850,000
- Religion: 88% Muslim
- Currency: Soum (UZS)
- Growth Rate: 1.738%
- Fertility Rate: 2.86/ women
History
Uzbekistan, in Central Asia, had undergone many different political and leadership changes in the 18th and 19th century. As Russia extended its empire into Central Asia in the second half of the nineteenth century, Uzbekistan became part of Tsarist Russia and later of the Soviet Union. It wasn’t until 1989 that the Uzbekistanis had decided to become a communist party. Islom Karimov had become the new leader of Uzbekistan. It was during Karimov’s leadership that the land was able to become an independent. On August 31, 1991 they declared their independence from the Soviet rule.
Karimov had decided to ban freedom parties in 1992, which was the start of many anti-state activities from party members. Such snit-state activities lead to more disruption within Uzbekistan. In 1999, Tashkent, the capitol of Uzbekistan, was bombed. Blaming the bombing on Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), Karimov demanded resignation from the Uzbek leadership. Unfortunately, the IMU continued to launch a series of attacks on the land. Karimov is re-elected into presidential position in 2000. As freedom parties started to hold meetings after being banded for 11 years, the deaths of the IMU military leader in the early 2000s, and two more battles, lead the Uzbekistanis into disagreements with other nations.
In 2006 Uzbekistan joined the EURASEC organisation and resumed co-operation with the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO).
Tashkent
Tashkent is a very attractive and vibrant city. The roots of the rich Uzbek culture shine through Tashkent's architecture, museums and metro stations. The uzbek folk are very friendly. The best way to get a full taste of the culture would be to visit the local markets, It is a social place which every citizen in Tashkent is bound to visit. The nightlife in Tashkent is evolving at an incredible pace. There are many night clubs as well as teahouses and cafes. The uzbek food is unique and very tasty! Some of the dishes that you have to try are the "plov", "samsa", "shaslik" and a lot more. But be careful! food bought at markets may upset your stomach (for a long time, even). so either take some pill or eat some local yoghurt to build on friendly local bifido-bacteria. Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan but does not have the special attractions Samarkand and Bukhara have.
Most of it was destroyed by a huge earthquake in the seventies. The soviets took this disaster as an opportunity and called the working class heroes to help rebuild Tashkent. Thousants of volunteers went to the city to help and stayed afterwards, turning the ancient city into a modern, communist and rather Russian town. The town is not unpleasant though. There may not be many sights, except for a few really good museums, but there are parks and fountains and the Stalinst like architecture is quite impressive.
Attractions in Tashkent
Novio Park
Navoi Park is a beautiful park that offers a great place to take a stroll on a sunny Tashkent day. The park offers cafes, scenic landscaping and paddle boat rentals. There is an interesting bridge that you cross to get to the other side of the lake. The bridge is rather steep and made of wood and is falling apart in some places so be careful. On the other side of the lake there are rides for children and adults. We took a ride in the ferris wheel which offered a great view of the city.
Broadway Shopping
Once called Karl Marx Avenue now called Broadway is a good place to stroll and shop. There are all kinds of vendors selling all sorts of things from CDs/DVDs to oil paintings to old Communist memorabilia.There are also bars and restaurants to rest in from the heat.
Museum
After the fall of the Soviet union many former republics searched to find a cultural identity with which to base their new found independence. Uzbekistan chose to identify itself with the era of Tamerlane, Amir Temur, a 14th century conqueror who laid the foundation for civilization and stability for this central Asian region.
Museum of Temurid History is a great place to visit that commerates the highlights of his reign and the accomplishments of his offspring such as his grandson Ulugh Beg, who was a great astronomer. Ulugh Beg plotted the course of nearly 1,000 stars, observed in the clear night sky above the Kara-Kum desert. In his day, he made Samarkand a center of science and art; his star-map, the world's first accurate chart of the heavens, was used as the basis for the later Gregorian star chart and was also adopted by Chinese astrologers.
Memorials
The Tashkent Tomb of the Unknown Soldier memorial is near Independence Square. There is an eternal flame that burns to commerate the fallen heroes. There is also a WWII memorial near the tomb that is laid out like an open hall with ornately carved wooden pillars. There are metal tablets sectioned off by the various regions of Russia that list the names of the Russian victims of WWII a sobering reminder of the tragic loss of life during the war.
Church
The Russian Orthodox Church in Tashkent is 135 years old and was built soon after the annexation of Central Asian provinces with Russian empire. This cathedral is the oldest in Central Asia.
Samarkand
The Registan square, reportedly the age old intersection of the trade roads, is the reason why people come to Samarkand. And with good reason. It is one of the most beautiful examples of Islamic architecture you will ever see, right up there with the Alhambra in Spain and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. But there are a lot more monuments in Samarakand and around it. Although the old center has not really survived into modern times, you can find reminders of the greatness of the rulers of Samarkand, especially Ulughbek and Tamerlane, all over town. If one wants to enjoy Central Asian nightlife, Samarkand is the place to do it. The city offers most of the options of Tashkent, but at prices that will make one feel like one is still enjoying the budget of Central Asia.
Attractions in Samarkand :
The Registan
The Registan is amazing. The Registan is the main attraction (of many) in Samarkand. Inside the buildings are various shops selling carpets, trinkets and other Uzbek crafts. Come back at different times during the day to see the Registan in different lighting conditions. It even looks great at night when illuminated by lights.
White Palace
Buried in back yards just southeast of the Gur emir is another Timurid mausoleum, known as the White Palace, built around 1470. Still elegant even in ruin, the building is of cruciform chamber, arch design, glazed mosaic and golden leaves. Archaeologists removed a headless skeleton from the open crypt, possible that off Abd al-Latif, son and murderer of Ulug Beg.
University of Samarkand
Following the history of Samarkand’s importance as scientific city already under Ulug’bek, it is quite logical that the city has a big university today with over 3000 students in several faculties. The university buildings are mainly concentrated southwest of Gur-i-Amir Mausoleum, often in beautiful old buildings, like the University of Biology. The best of all is the huge, garden-like park around the university, open to the public. It is very much inviting with huge trees, shady areas, benches, walkways, a lot of little cafes and restaurants (with students’ prices of course), for relaxing or people watching. In the southwestern part of the park a big statue of Alisher Navoi, a poet, painter and musician of Timurid period. At the southeastern part of the park, the restaurants get higher in prices, but quality is still good.
Church
Although Uzbekistan is an Islamic country, it guarantees religious freedom and so it is no wonder that the big Russian commune has her Orthodox church at the southeastern part of the University Park. The Orthodox cathedral is devoted to St. Alexej (Alekseevskii), as a little sign says, and is definitely worth a visit.
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