Uzbekistan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Republic of Uzbekistan O‘zbekiston Respublikasi, Ўзбекистон Республикаси
Flag Emblem
Anthem:  O‘zbekiston Respublikasining Davlat madhiyasi, Ўзбекистон Республикасининг Даvлат мадҳияси "State Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan"
Show globe Show map of Uzbekistan
Capital and largest city	Tashkent 41°19′N 69°16′E / 41.317°N 69.267°E / 41.317; 69.267
Official languages	Uzbek
Recognised languages	Karakalpak
Ethnic groups (2021)	84.6% Uzbeks 4.8% Tajiks 2.3% Kazakhs 2.2% Karakalpaks 2.1% Russians 4.0% others
Religion (2025)	94.28% Islam 93.89% Sunni 0.4% Shi'a 4.26% Irreligion 1.17% Christianity 0.28% other religions 0.11% Buddhism 0.01% Judaism <0.01% Baháʼí Faith <0.01% Zorastrianism
Demonym(s)	Uzbek • Uzbekistani
Government	Semi-presidential republic
• President	Shavkat Mirziyoyev
• Prime Minister	Abdulla Aripov
Legislature	Oliy Majlis
• Upper house	Senate
• Lower house	Legislative Chamber
History
• Uzbek khanates	1500–1920
• Bukharan People's Soviet Republic	8 October 1920
• Uzbek SSR	27 October 1924
• Independence from the Soviet Union	1 September 1991
• Recognized	2 March 1992
• Current constitution	8 December 1992
Area
• Total	448,978 km2 (173,351 sq mi) (55th)
• Water (%)	4.9
Population
• 2026 estimate	38,236,704 (38th)
• Density	80.2/km2 (207.7/sq mi) (138th)
GDP (PPP)	2026 estimate
• Total	$552.16 billion (53rd)
• Per capita	$14,179 (113th)
GDP (nominal)	2026 estimate
• Total	$181.5 billion (58th)
• Per capita	$4,661 (127th)
Gini (2022)	▼ 31.2 medium
HDI (2023)	0.740 high · 107th
Currency	Uzbek sum (UZS)
Time zone	UTC+5 (UZT)
Date format	dd/mm yyyyc
Calling code	+998
ISO 3166 code	UZ
Internet TLD	.uz

Uzbekistan, officially known as the Republic of Uzbekistan, is a country in Central Asia. It is a special kind of landlocked country because it is surrounded by other landlocked countries. This means you would have to cross at least two borders to reach an ocean! Uzbekistan shares borders with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan.

With over 38.2 million people, Uzbekistan is the most populated country in Central Asia. The official language is Uzbek, spoken by almost 85% of the people. Other languages like Russian and Tajik are also spoken. Uzbekistan is part of the Organization of Turkic States.

The first people to settle here were ancient nomads. Over time, the region became a key stop on the famous Silk Road. This ancient trade route connected East and West. Later, it was part of large empires, including the Timurid Empire. Uzbekistan became an independent country in 1991 after the Soviet Union ended.

Today, Uzbekistan is a secular state with a semi-presidential government. Its economy is growing, moving towards a market economy. The country is known for producing cotton, gold, and natural gas. Uzbekistan is a member of the United Nations and other international groups.

What's in a Name?

The name Uzbekistan first appeared in writings from the 1500s. People have different ideas about where the name "Uzbek" comes from.

• Some think it means "free" or "independent leader." It might combine the Turkic words uz (meaning "own") and beg (meaning "master" or "leader").
• Others believe it comes from a famous leader named Oghuz Khagan, also known as Oghuz Beg.
• Another idea is that it comes from the word oghuz, meaning "tribe," combined with "leader."
• Some historians link the name to Özbeg Khan, a ruler from the 1300s.

During the time of the Soviet Union, the country's name was often written in Cyrillic script.

A Look Back in Time

The land of Uzbekistan has a very long history, with many different names over thousands of years. In the 1300s, it was the home and capital of a great leader named Timur (also known as Tamerlane). His Timurid Empire was huge, stretching across a vast area.

Ancient Beginnings

Long ago, nomadic tribes called Scythians lived in Central Asia. They built irrigation systems along rivers. Important cities like Bukhara and Samarkand grew into centers of government and culture.

This region was a key part of the Silk Road. This famous trade route connected East Asia with the West. Merchants from places like Sogdia became very wealthy. Bukhara and Samarkand grew into rich and powerful cities because of this trade.

Later, powerful empires like the Achaemenid Empire and the Sasanian Empire controlled the area. In 327 BC, Alexander the Great conquered parts of this region. After his rule, the Kushan Empire became powerful.

Medieval Times

Starting in the 600s, Arabs brought Islam to Uzbekistan. This religion spread among the local people. The area between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers became a center of the Islamic Golden Age.

In the 800s and 900s, the Samanid Empire ruled. Then, Turkic groups like the Karakhanids and Seljuks took control. In the 1200s, the Mongol Empire led by Genghis Khan arrived. This brought big changes to the region.

The Timurid Era

In the 1380s, a tribal leader named Timur became very powerful. He built a huge empire. Timur made Samarkand his capital. He brought many skilled artists and scholars to the city. This led to a time of great learning and art, known as the Timurid Renaissance. Timur's grandson, Ulugh Beg, was a famous astronomer. During this time, the Chagatai language also became an important literary language.

Uzbek Rule and Russian Influence

After Timur's death, his empire split. In the 1500s, Uzbek nomadic tribes from the north took over. The region was divided into different states, like the Emirate of Bukhara and the Khanate of Khiva.

In the 1800s, the Russian Empire began to expand into Central Asia. Tashkent became an important Russian center. By the early 1900s, many Russians lived in Uzbekistan.

The Soviet Period

By 1920, Russia controlled Central Asia. In 1924, the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic was formed as part of the Soviet Union. During this time, Uzbekistan became a major producer of crops like cotton. It also made progress in science and technology.

Many people from Uzbekistan fought in World War II. Later, Uzbek troops also served in the Soviet–Afghan War.

Becoming Independent

Uzbekistan declared its state sovereignty on June 20, 1990. On August 31, 1991, it declared full independence after a failed coup attempt in Moscow. September 1st became National Independence Day. The Soviet Union officially dissolved in December 1991.

Islam Karimov was elected as the first president of independent Uzbekistan. After his passing in 2016, Shavkat Mirziyoyev became president. He has introduced many reforms, improving relations with neighboring countries and other nations.

Land and Weather

Uzbekistan covers about 448,978 square kilometers. It is the 56th largest country in the world. It is also the most populated country in Central Asia.

Uzbekistan is a hot, dry country. It is also "doubly landlocked," meaning it is surrounded by other landlocked countries. None of its rivers flow to the sea. Less than 10% of the land is farmed using irrigation. The rest is mostly the vast Kyzylkum Desert and mountains.

The highest point in Uzbekistan is Khazret Sultan, which is 4,643 meters above sea level.

Climate

Uzbekistan has a continental climate. This means it has very hot summers and cold winters. The average summer temperature can reach 40°C (104°F). Winter temperatures can drop to around -23°C (-9°F). Not much rain falls each year, usually between 100–200 millimeters.

Environmental Challenges

Uzbekistan has a beautiful natural environment. However, past policies focused on growing a lot of cotton. This crop needs a lot of water. As a result, the Aral Sea, once the fourth-largest inland sea, has shrunk significantly. This has caused environmental problems, like salty soil.

The country is working on managing its water resources better. It is also looking for ways to deal with the effects of climate change. Uzbekistan is vulnerable to water shortages because much of it is desert.

In May 2020, a dam at the Sardoba Reservoir broke. This caused flooding in many areas. It affected both Uzbekistan and neighboring Kazakhstan.

Air Quality

Air pollution has become a challenge in Uzbekistan, especially in cities like Tashkent. This is due to factors like vehicle emissions, heating, and dust storms. The government and international groups are working to improve air quality.

How the Country is Run

Uzbekistan is a semi-presidential republic. This means it has both a president and a prime minister. The country declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The Oliy Majlis is Uzbekistan's parliament. It has two parts: a lower house called the Legislative Chamber and an upper house called the Senate. Members are elected for five-year terms.

Islam Karimov was the first president of Uzbekistan. He was elected in 1991 and served until his passing in 2016. After him, Shavkat Mirziyoyev became president. President Mirziyoyev has worked to bring in new ideas and improve the country. He has focused on reforms and strengthening ties with other nations.

Connecting with Other Countries

Uzbekistan is a member of many international groups. It joined the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 1991. It is also part of the United Nations (UN) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Uzbekistan works with other countries to promote peace and stability in Central Asia.

The country has strong relationships with neighbors like Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. It also has ties with countries like China, Turkey, Russia, and India. Uzbekistan is also building stronger connections with the European Union.

Regions and Cities

Uzbekistan is divided into 12 regions, called viloyatlar. It also has one autonomous republic, Karakalpakstan, and one independent city, Tashkent.

Division	Capital City	Area (km2)	Population (1 January 2024)	Key
Andijan Region Uzbek: Андижон вилояти, Andijon Viloyati	Andijan Andijon	4,303	3394,4	2
Bukhara Region Uzbek: Бухоро вилояти, Buxoro Viloyati	Bukhara Buxoro	41,937	2044,0	3
Fergana Region Uzbek: Фарғона вилояти, Fargʻona Viloyati	Fergana Fargʻona	7,005	4061,5	4
Jizzakh Region Uzbek: Жиззах вилояти, Jizzax Viloyati	Jizzakh Jizzax	21,179	1507,4	5
Republic of Karakalpakstan Karakalpak: Қарақалпақстан Республикасы, Qaraqalpaqstan Respublikasıʻ Uzbek: Қорақалпоғистон Республикаси, Qoraqalpogʻiston Respublikasi	Nukus No‘kis Nukus	161,358	2002,7	14
Kashkadarya Region Uzbek: Қашқадарё вилояти, Qashqadaryo Viloyati	Karshi Qarshi	28,568	3560,6	8
Khorezm Region Uzbek: Хоразм вилояти, Xorazm Viloyati	Urgench Urganch	6,464	1995,6	13
Namangan Region Uzbek: Наманган вилояти, Namangan Viloyati	Namangan Namangan	7,181	3066,1	6
Navoiy Region Uzbek: Навоий вилояти, Navoiy Viloyati	Navoiy Navoiy	109,375	1075,3	7
Samarkand Region Uzbek: Самарқанд вилояти, Samarqand Viloyati	Samarkand Samarqand	16,773	4208,5	9
Surkhandarya Region Uzbek: Сурхондарё вилояти, Surxondaryo Viloyati	Termez Termiz	20,099	2877,1	11
Syrdarya Region Uzbek: Сирдарё вилояти, Sirdaryo Viloyati	Gulistan Guliston	4,276	914,0	10
Tashkent City Uzbek: Тошкент, Toshkent Shahri	Tashkent Toshkent	327	3040,8	1
Tashkent Region Uzbek: Тошкент вилояти, Toshkent Viloyati	Nurafshon Nurafshon	15,258	3051,8	12

The regions are further divided into smaller areas called districts.

Major Cities

Largest cities or towns in Uzbekistan
Rank	Name	Pop.
1	Tashkent	2,955,700
2	Namangan	678,200
3	Samarkand	573,200
4	Andijan	468,100
5	Nukus	310,000
6	Fergana	299,000
7	Bukhara	285,000
8	Qarshi	260,000
9	Kokand	260,000
10	Margilan	242,500

Uzbekistan's Economy

Uzbekistan has a growing economy. It is rich in natural resources. The country mines about 80 tons of gold each year, making it one of the top producers in the world. It also has large deposits of copper and uranium. Uzbekistan is a major producer of natural gas.

The country's economy is slowly changing to a market economy. This means businesses have more freedom. Uzbekistan is a big producer and exporter of cotton. It also exports natural gas and other goods.

Key Industries

Agriculture is an important part of the economy. It employs many people and contributes to the country's wealth. Besides cotton, Uzbekistan grows a lot of carrots. The country also has a growing IT sector. In 2024, a digital company called Uzum became the country's first "unicorn" startup.

Uzbekistan is working to attract more foreign investment. It is also improving its trade policies. The country aims to become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

People and Culture

Uzbekistan has a diverse population. As of 2022, it has the largest population in Central Asia, with 36 million citizens. Most people are Uzbeks, making up about 84.5% of the population. Other groups include Tajiks, Kazakhs, Karakalpaks, and Russians.

The population is quite young, with many people under 16. Uzbekistan has a very high literacy rate, meaning almost all adults can read and write. The average life expectancy is 75 years.

Religion in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a secular state. This means the government and religious organizations are separate. Islam is the main religion, followed by about 94% of the people. Most Muslims are Sunni.

Christianity is also practiced, mainly by Russian Orthodox Christians. There are also small communities of Buddhists and Jews. The Bukharan Jews have lived in Uzbekistan for thousands of years.

Languages Spoken

The official language of Uzbekistan is Uzbek. It is a Turkic language. Since 1992, it has been officially written using the Latin alphabet. However, older generations still use the Cyrillic alphabet.

Karakalpak is another official language in the Republic of Karakalpakstan. Russian is also widely used, especially in cities. The Tajik language, which is similar to Persian, is spoken in cities like Bukhara and Samarkand.

Staying Connected

Uzbekistan has a growing number of people using mobile phones and the internet. In 2017, over 24 million people had mobile phones. By 2019, more than 22 million people used the internet. This is about 52% of the population.

Getting Around

Tashkent, the capital city, has a metro system with four lines. It is known for its beautiful and ornate stations. The country also has buses and taxis.

Uzbekistan produces modern cars. The government supports car manufacturing with companies like Daewoo.

Trains and Planes

Trains connect many towns in Uzbekistan and neighboring countries. In 2011, Uzbekistan launched Central Asia's first high-speed railway between Tashkent and Samarkand. The train is called Afrosiyob.

Uzbekistan Airways is the national airline. It operates many international flights. Airports in cities like Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara have modern equipment.

Military and Defense

Uzbekistan has the largest armed forces in Central Asia, with about 120,000 servicemen. Its military equipment is mostly from the post-Soviet era, along with some new Russian and American gear.

The government spends about 3.7% of its GDP on the military. Uzbekistan works with other countries on defense matters. It is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

Fun and Traditions

Uzbekistan has a rich mix of cultures and traditions. The Uzbek people make up the majority.

Music and Arts

Central Asian classical music is called Shashmaqam. It developed in Bukhara in the 1500s. This music has six sections, like classical Persian music. It often includes Sufi poetry.

Uzbekistan is also known for its beautiful embroidery, called Suzani.

Learning and Schools

Uzbekistan has a very high literacy rate. This means almost everyone over 15 can read and write. Students attend school from Monday to Saturday until the 11th grade.

The government is working to improve education. Many universities offer courses in English and Russian. There are also Islamic institutes and academies.

Special Days

Variable date

• End of Ramadan, Ramazon Hayiti (Eid al-Fitr)
• 70 days later, Qurbon Hayiti (Eid al-Adha)

Delicious Food

Uzbek cuisine is very tasty! It uses a lot of grain, so bread and noodles are important. Mutton is a popular meat.

The most famous dish is palov. It is made with rice, meat, carrots, and onions. There are many different ways to make it.

Other popular dishes include:

• Shurpa: A soup with meat and fresh vegetables.
• Laghman: Noodle dishes served as soup or a main course.
• Manti, chuchvara, and somsa: Stuffed dough pockets.
• Dimlama: A meat and vegetable stew.
• Various kebabs.

Green tea is the national drink. It is served all day long. Teahouses (chaikhanas) are important places to relax and socialize. Ayran, a cold yogurt drink, is popular in summer.

Sports Fun

Sports are very popular in Uzbekistan. Before 1991, Uzbek athletes competed for the Soviet Union. Now, they have their own national teams.

Football

Football is the most popular sport. The top league is the Uzbekistan Super League. FC Pakhtakor is a very successful team. Uzbek clubs also play in Asian competitions. In 2025, Abdukodir Khusanov became the first Uzbek player in England's Premier League.

Cycling

Uzbekistan is home to famous cyclist Djamolidine Abdoujaparov. He won the green jersey in the Tour de France three times. He was known as 'The Terror of Tashkent' for his fast sprints.

Wrestling

Artur Taymazov is a famous Uzbek wrestler. He won several Olympic medals. Uzbekistan is also the home of the International Kurash Association. Kurash is a traditional Uzbek wrestling style.

Boxing

Boxing is very popular. Uzbek boxers have won many Olympic medals, including gold. At the 2024 Summer Olympics, five Uzbek boxers won gold medals! Ruslan Chagaev was a world champion professional boxer.

Other Sports

Chess is quite popular. Rustam Kasimdzhanov was a world chess champion in 2004. Young players like Nodirbek Abdusattorov are also making headlines.

Other popular sports include basketball, judo, team handball, taekwondo, and futsal. In 2021, Ulugbek Rashitov won Uzbekistan's first Olympic gold medal in taekwondo.

Amazing Places to See

Uzbekistan has many historical and natural sites recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage sites.

Cultural Sites

• Itchan Kala (Khiva), added in 1990
• Historic Centre of Bukhara, added in 1993
• Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz, added in 2000
• Samarkand – Crossroads of Cultures, added in 2001
• Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor, added in 2023

Natural Sites

• Western Tien-Shan, added in 2016
• Cold Winter Deserts of Turan, added in 2023

See also

In Spanish: Uzbekistán para niños

• Health in Uzbekistan
• Outline of Uzbekistan
• Uzbek language