Uzbekistan is located in the very heart of Central Asia and ever since the ancient times have been at the crossroads from East to West. It borders with Kazakhstan to the North, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the East and Southeast, Turkmenistan to the West and Afghanistan to the South. A variety of landscapes open to one’s eye from vast Kyzyl Kum desert to high Pamir Mountains with densely populated beautiful oasis crossed by mountain rivers. The climate is extreme and arid.

Uzbekistan is a land of a great historic heritage and ancient culture.

Cities such as - Tashkent, Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, Bukhara and Khiva - have histories that stretch back for millennia. At various times they have been part of powerful states, important trade centers on international caravan routes, places, where trade, architecture, science and the art were highly developed.

Today, they have become a focus of attention for these, who love and understand Beauty.

Many architectural masterpieces of the past centuries in Uzbekistan are now under the protection of UNESCO. Being the creations of talented local craftsmen and builders they attract the traveler’s eye.

The architectural gems of Uzbekistan still maintain the medieval atmosphere of ancient oriental cities.

Getting acquainted with the exotic sights of Uzbekistan will lead to a better understanding of Central Asian history.

For the past nine years independent Uzbekistan has been developed along a path its people has agreed upon - a path of gradual construction of a strong, democratic state, functioning in accordance with constitutional law, and the creation of a civil society with stable, socially-oriented society with a peaceful foreign policy.

JUST FACTS:

• Structure: Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan, 12 regions, 226 cities and districts.
• Main industries: The Engineering industry, chemistry, metallurgy, radios and electronic industry, light industry has been given wide scope of development.
• More than 50% of Central Asia's energy supply sources fall to the share of Uzbekistan.
• The length of railroads exceeds 6,700 km; the highways 80, 000 km; aerial communication has been established with 30 countries.
• The Republic of Uzbekistan is one of the most favorable regions in terms of natural and geographic conditions. It is situated in the central part of the Central Asian economic region and it is watered by Amudaria and Syrdaria, the largest rivers in Central Asia. The distance from western to eastern border is 1425 km, and from north to south 930 km. The size of Uzbekistan's territory is greater than the UK, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland and Austria taken together
• Uzbekistan has the world's fourth largest proven reserves of gold and tenth largest reserves of copper The annual gold output is about 70 tons.
• The volume of minerals extracted annually is worth US$ 5.5 billion, the annual accretion of minerals is US $6 - 7 billion.
• The republic produces 1.3 million tons of cotton fiber, 5 million tons of fruit and vegetables, 20, 000 tons of raw silk and 1. 5 million of astrakhans annually.
• Uzbekistan is reach in fuel and power resources. Gas reserves total 5 trillion cubic meters, the reserves of oil 4 billion tons, and the reserves of coal 2 billion tons.
• 82.7% of enterprises belong to the non-state sector. Among them 83,500 small-scale and private enterprises and 4,500 joint-stock companies.
• 20,000 farms have been established. The size of land privately farmed has increased up to 2 70, 000 hectares and the size of a plot of land up to 14,6 hectares.
• More than 30 banks, about 150 stock and commodity exchanges, insurance companies, 2,000 wholesale stores, markets and shops, 100 share-selling agencies are successfully operating in Uzbekistan.
• The non-state sector generates 67% of the national income and 95% of the agricultural production.
• Representations of 260 foreign firms and banks have been opened.
• The National Bank of Uzbekistan has established correspondent relations with 235 large foreign banks in 35 countries of the world.
• The representations of the international financial and banking institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and others are successfully operating in the Republic of Uzbekistan.