Flag of Uzbekistan
- Officially » Oʻzbekiston Respublikasi
- Republic of Uzbekistan (English)
- Capital » Tashkent
- Largest city (2.6M in 2023)
- Date & Time
- Weather
Facts
- Population » 32 million
- Languages » Uzbek, Russian, Tajik
- Religion » Islam
- Life expectancy » 68 years (men), 74 years (women)
- Currency » Uzbek som
Geography
- Area » 447,400 sq km (172,700 sq miles)
- Landlocked
- Uzbekistan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north; Kyrgyzstan to the northeast; Tajikistan to the southeast; Afghanistan to the south, Turkmenistan to the south-west.
Tourism
- Uzbekistan boasts some of the Silk Road’s most fabled destinations
- Three of the greatest Silk Road cities – Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva – all fall within Uzbekistan.
- Forts, such as the one still standing at Khiva, were built to protect traders from bandits. This well-preserved city is known as the Museum under the Sky.
- Samarkand is a city known for its mosques and mausoleums.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Uzbekistan has 5 UNESCO sites
Adventures
- Fergana Valley
- Ancient medressas (Islamic schools) of Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva
Overland
- Driving » Right side
- Toll road is being built parallel to the current Tashkent-Samarkand-Bukhara road (Aug 2021)
- Overlanders may cross one of many borders from a neighbouring countries.
- The capital, Tashkent, on the border with Kazakhstan, is the most common entry point.
- From Fergana Valley, to Kyrgyzstan, use the border between Andijan and Osh
- Petrol (Gasoline) is harder to find. Most vehicles run on diesel.
- There is a black market for petrol, but it is often of poor quality or watered down.
- Many potholes.
Climate
- Mid-latitude desert
- Long, hot summers,
- Mild winters
- Semiarid grassland in east
Travel Visa
- Canadians:
- No visa required for stays shorter than 30 days. (Source – 2019)
- Canadians must obtain a visa before arriving in Uzbekistan for stays longer than 30 days.
- Since Feb 2019, if you have a British citizen passport you can enter Uzbekistan as a visitor for stays of up to 30 days without a visa.
Notes
- People are warm and hospitable.
- Uzbekistan has developed close ties with Russia.
- May 2024 example » Russia to build a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan, the first such project in post-Soviet Central Asia, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced at a meeting with visiting war-time Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Reuters)
Safety and Security
- Avoid non-essential travel to the areas bordering Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan (including the city of Andijan and the eastern region of the Ferghana Valley) due to the uncertain security concerns, including landmines.
Government Travel Advice
Media
Posts
- Landcruising Adventure – Uzbekistan Overland Travel Guide
- The Turtle Expedition – Uzbekistan
- A backpacker’s guide to One Month in Uzbekistan
- Caravanistan – Guide along the Silk Road
References
This page was updated May 28, 2024