Administrative structure of Uzbekistan
Formal name: The Republic of Uzbekistan
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 64 00 E
Area: total 447.400 km2: land: 425.400 km2, water: 22,000 km2
Land boundaries: total: 6.221 km, border countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2.203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1.099 km, Tajikistan 1.161 km, Turkmenistan 1.621 km
Population: 30 million (January, 2014)
Density of population: 50.1 per km2
Capital: Tashkent
Language.
Official language - Uzbek, widely used: Russian, Tajik, Karakalpak, also English, which is getting popular among youth generation.
National currency: Sum.
Structure: Sovereign Republic of Karakalpakstan, 12 provinces, 226 cities and districts.
Religion: Islam - 88%, Christian - 9%
Time: GMT + 05:00
Electric power: 220 V AC, 50 amp; Standard two-pin plug socket
Domain zone:.uz
International dialing code: +998
The Republic of Uzbekistan is situated in the central part of Central Asia between two rivers: the Amudarya and Syrdarya. The Turan Lowland lies to the northwest, and
the Tien-Shan and Pamir-Alay mountain ridges are located in the southeast of the territory. The Kyzyl-Kum Desert defines the Northern part of the country. Uzbekistan borders Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan.
Terrain.
Mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat, intensely irrigated river valleys along the course of the Amu Darya, Sirdaryo (Syr Darya), and Zarafshon
Rivers; the Fergana Valley in the east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; the shrinking Aral Sea in the west.
Elevation extremes
Lowest point: Sariqamish Lake - 12 m.
Highest point: Adelunga Mountain - 4.301 m
Uzbekistan consists of the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan, twelve provinces (vilyat) and 157 districts (tuman). Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan with population more than 2.4 million inhabitants. Among other big cities are Samarkand (600,000), Namangan (460,000), Andijan (410,000) and Bukhara (341,000).
Emblem
The Emblem of the Republic of Uzbekistan depicts the rising sun over a flowering valley, surrounded by a wreath of wheat earns on the right and branches of cotton on the left. A star, located on the upper portion of the Emblem, symbolizes unity. The half-moon and star inside are referred to Islam. The legendary Semurg bird in the centre of the Emblem is a symbol of national renaissance. In the background, on a ribbon in the national colors of the Uzbek flag, is written "Uzbekistan”.
Flag
National Flag of the Republic of Uzbekistan consists of three horizontal stripes: blue, white and green. Along the edges of the white strip, the middle section of the flag, there are two red stripes. On the top, left-hand side of the blue section is a half-moon and twelve white five-pointed stars. The blue symbolizes the sky and water. The white represents peace. The green is for nature. The red represents life. The half-moon is connected to Islam. The stars symbolize divinity and harmony with the world,
Political system
Under the 1992 Constitution Uzbekistan is a secular and democratic republic. Political system of the Republic is parliamentary democracy with a legislative organ Oliy Majlis (Supreme Council), executive body (government) and legal proceeding system. The head of executive power is President, directly elected to a seven-year term. At present five political parties function in the Republic. Executive power rests with the President. The President appoints a Cabinet of Ministers with the approval of the legislature. The Cabinet of Ministers carries the day-to-day running of the country. The President also appoints regional governors.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN UZBEKISTAN
January, 1st - New Year
Uzbekistan celebrates New Year on the first of January. This holiday was introduced to Uzbek people together with the adoption of Gregorian Calendar in the end of 19th century by russians. Therefore, the celebration of a New Year and the symbols of the holiday is almost same as in Russia. Main symbol is, of course a decorated Christmas tree. However, locals do not associate it with the Christmas. Grandfather Frost and Snow Maiden are also main characters of the New Year in Uzbekistan. People at this time celebrate and widely mark this holiday with native and close behind the covered elegant table. Also gifts and surprises are traditionally presented each other. They will visit friends and relatives or enjoy themselves dancing until midnight from 31st December till 1st January, when hours solemnly beat 12 hours. Then they welcome the New Year wishing each other happy new year. Some people gather in Restaurants or night clubs, where special New Year Party shows are orginized, while others meet with family members at homes.
See: Tour MTH 03 New Year adventures in Uzbekistan - 8 days/7 nights
January, 14th - Day of Defenders of the Native Land
This holiday in independent Uzbekistan is celebrated in honor of creation of own Army forces. On 14th January, 1992, the parliament made a decision on transition of all parts and connections, military educational institutions and other military formations of the soviet army deployed in territory of the country under jurisdiction of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Holiday is celebrated in mainly military institutionas and widely publicized in mass media.
March, 8th - International Womens' Day
Nowadays this is a major day of global celebration of women. This holiday was introduced to Uzbek people as a honor to working women during the soviet era. however, it is lost its ts political flavour, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day that are celebrated in the West. On this day it is customary for men to give the women in their lives – mothers, wives, girlfriends, daughters, colleagues, etc. – flowers and small gifts.
March, 21st - Navruz
Literally means New Day in Persian language. Although Navruz is not an islamic holiday, it was widely celebrated among locals (mainly muslims) as a beginning of the New Year before the Georgian calendar was intuduced. Celebrating navruz was prohibited in soviet times, but after the independence, the government declared it as a national holiday and symbol of spring. Symbols: Blossoming trees and flowers, sprin, sumalak (national dish) In Navruz Many Uzbek family prepare for national dishes such as: sumalak, halim, samosa from spring greens, pilov and others. Preparation of sumalak, which is usually boiled in large pots and needs continuous mixing, takes approximatety 24 hours. Thus, people gather around the pots and spend the day and night singing and dancing national folclore. People go out on navruz with family members or friends and attend Navruz celebrations, national dance and sporting shows, which are orginized in city and town centers and parks.
See: Tour MTH 04 — Navrouz in Uzbekistan — 10 days / 9 nights
May, 9th - Day of Memory and Honor
Firstly celebrated as the Victory Day that marks the capitulation of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union in the Second World War. It was first inaugurated in the fifteen republics of the Soviet Union. It has been celebrated since 1946 and the holiday became a non-labour day only in 1965 and only in some of the countries. After the independence, Uzbekistan built Memorial of Memory in the center of Tashkent in 1999 and declared 9th of May as a Day of Memory and Honor. Now, this holiday is celebrated in honour and memory of compatriots who spend their lives protecting the country, its freedom and independence in the past. Poeople visit memorials and place flowers. Visit elder people who have spend their lives heroically and remember those who have passed. Mainly at memorials of Memory and Honour that are found in almost all city centers.
September, 1st - Independence Day
One of the greatest and widely celebrated holidays of Uzbekistan - Independence Day. The country obtained its independence from Soviet Union on September 1st, 1991 and since then it is celebrating this day as a National Holiday. Holiday celebrations, festivals and concierts are organized throughout the country and people go out for public places and parks in the city. Mass media widely publicizes the events hold in various places of the country and broadcasts the concierts. Main celebration conciert, where the president of Uzbekistan attends, is hold on August 31st in Tashkent's Navoi Park.
Ocrober, 1st - Teachers' Day
Students congratulate their teachers and give flowers and small gifts. media broadcasts many programs and shows dedicated to the education and role of teachers in the development of new generation.
December, 8th - Constitution Day
This holiday marks the adoption of new constitution of the independent country on December 8th, 1992. Government organizes celebration and concerts in many places and awards some people in honor of their work and patriotism.
Eid al-Adha (Ramazon hayit) and Eid al-Fitr (Kurban Hayit)
As in all countries where live muslims, Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr are widely celebrated in Uzbekistan too. People have been celebrating these holidays for many centuries but they were prohibited during the soviet times. But after the independence government declared them as a naitonal holiday. Men go to mosques early morning to pray holiday prayers and then visit relatives. Women set up a holiday table. Elders give candies and sweets to children.
