Basic facts
- Official name
- Republic of Uzbekistan
- Capital
- Tashkent
- Area
- 448,978 km²
- Population
- About 37 million (2025)
- State language
- Uzbek
- Currency
- Uzbek so‘m (UZS)
- Time zone
- UTC+5
- Country code
- +998
- Independence
- 1 September 1991
- Administrative units
- Republic of Karakalpakstan, 12 regions, Tashkent city
Figures to be verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before publication.
History
The land of present-day Uzbekistan has been home to some of the oldest urban civilisations of Central Asia, including Sogdiana, Bactria and Khorezm. Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shahrisabz and Termez were key centres on the Great Silk Road, connecting China, India, Persia and the Mediterranean.
The region gave the world scholars such as al-Khwarizmi, Ibn Sina, al-Biruni, Ulugh Beg and Imam al-Bukhari. In the 14th and 15th centuries Samarkand became the capital of the Timurid state and a centre of science and architecture. Uzbekistan declared its independence on 1 September 1991.
State structure
Uzbekistan is a presidential republic. The President is the Head of State. Legislative power is exercised by the bicameral Oliy Majlis, consisting of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate. Executive power is vested in the Cabinet of Ministers.
Economy and investment
Open economy
Currency liberalisation, privatisation and simplified procedures for foreign investors since 2017.
Energy and resources
Natural gas, gold, copper and uranium, with a growing share of solar and wind generation.
Industry and agriculture
Textiles, automotive, chemicals, food processing, cotton and horticulture.
Transport hub
Trans-Afghan and China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway projects linking Central and South Asia.
Investment opportunities, invest.gov.uz
Culture and tourism
Four historic centres of Uzbekistan are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Visitors from many NAM Member States can enter visa-free or with an electronic visa.
Tashkent
Capital, Hazrati Imam complex, metro
Samarkand
Registan, Gur-e-Amir, Shah-i-Zinda
Bukhara
Po-i-Kalyan, Ark fortress
Khiva
Itchan Kala, Kalta Minor