Tourist information Uzbekistan, with all the useful things to know before leaving for a trip or vacation in this state of Central Asia.
Uzbekistan in a nutshell
- Capital: Tashkent
- Area in square kilometers: 447,400
- Population: 28,095,900 (2011)
- Religion: Sunni Muslim majority, Orthodox minority and other Muslim minorities.
Where is it
Uzbekistan, a central Asian state, is a presidential republic that became independent after the dissolution of the USSR. Landlocked, it borders Kazakhstan to the north and west, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south.
Its territory is mostly occupied by the plains of the Turanico lowland, made up of steppes and wide sandy expanses.
In the north-western part of the country the Kyzylkum desert stretches, while the eastern and north-eastern area is occupied by the extreme offshoots of the Tian Shan chain and the Pamir plateau, where the major rivers that cross Uzbekistan are born, very useful for irrigating fertile land located along their waterways and on the slopes of these mountains, natural features that make these areas among the most populated in the country.
Hydrography
On the border between Uzbekistan, in the territory of the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan, and Kazakhstan there is the Aral lake, a salt lake of oceanic origin, which receives the waters of the rivers Amu Darya and Syr Darya, main rivers of the country.
Unfortunately, the size of the lake has drastically reduced from the post-war period to the present, as it is deprived of the water brought by its inlets, used for the irrigation of desert areas intended for the intensive production of cotton.
This intervention on nature, currently undergoing some recovery attempts, has caused considerable damage to the environment and the population.
Climate
The climate of Uzbekistan is continental, characterized by significant nocturnal temperature fluctuations and a lot of diversity between desert and mountain areas.
Winters are short (December-February), with average temperatures ranging from -6 to 2 ° C (January), while summers are long and torrid, with average temperatures ranging from 26 to 32 ° C (July).
Precipitation is scarce, concentrated mainly in spring (March-April) and autumn (October-November).
Population
The population is made up mostly of Uzbeks (78.3%) and minorities of Tajiks, Kazakhs, Tatars, Russians, Caralpachi, Koreans, Kyrgyz, and others.
Recommended readings- Samarkand (Uzbekistan): what to see
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Time zone
The time zone in Uzbekistan is 4 hours ahead of Italy and 3 hours ahead when daylight saving time is in effect in Italy.
Spoken language
The official language is Uzbek. Also Russian and Tajik are spoken.
Economy
The economic situation in Uzbekistan, despite the independence obtained by the Soviet Union at the time, is still linked to a planned economy system heavily controlled by the government.
The agricultural sector is very important and employs about a third of the active population.
The main crop is cotton, of which the country is one of the world's major producers.
Also in the primary sector, breeding, especially sheep, is also relevant.
The subsoil of the country is rich in deposits of coal, oil, natural gas and can count on significant mineral resources, including gold, silver, copper and other metals.
Do not underestimate the historical, artistic and archaeological heritage of Uzbekistan, in antiquity crossed by the mythical Silk Road, to which the ancient cities of Samarkand and Bukhara are linked, fascinating tourist destinations.
When to go
The best times to visit Uzbekistan are spring (from late March to June) and autumn (from September to mid-November).
Necessary documents
To enter Uzbekistan you need a passport with a residual validity of at least six months from the date of travel.
The entry visa is mandatory and must be requested before departure from the Consular Office of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Rome.
Once inside the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan, within the third day of stay it is mandatory to register at the offices of the Ministry of the Interior (OVIR), at the police offices located in the territory.
Usually this formality is fulfilled by hotels, otherwise it will be necessary to contact a tourist agency.
In addition, at the customs, upon arrival in the country, it is mandatory to fill out a form where the currency and possessions are declared, such as cell phones, cameras and more.
The stamped copy of this document must be returned upon departure.
Currency exchange receipts should also be retained in the event of a request from the customs authorities.
Phone
- The international prefix for calling from Italy to Uzbekistan is: 00998
- The international code for making calls from Uzbekistan to Italy is: 0039
The mobile telephone system is active in the area.
In the main cities and in the major hotels there are internet points.
Electricity
The electric current in Uzbekistan is 220V, 50Hz.
The sockets are type C (European 2-pole) and type I (Australian-Chinese-Argentine with 2 and 3 poles).
It is advisable to have an adapter for electrical outlets.
Currency
The official currency of Uzbekistan is the Sum.
In banks, hotels and at the airport it is possible to exchange currency, as to circulate you need to have cash with you.
Credit cards are accepted only in luxury hotels.
There are some ATMs in Tashkent, to be checked before departure with your bank if the same pin code valid in Italy can be used for withdrawals.
How to get
plane
The Uzbekistan Airways flag carrier connects with direct flights Rome Fiumicino or Milan Malpensa to Tashkent, where the country's main airport is located.
Aeroflot, Turkish Airlines and AirBaltic are some airlines that offer flights with a stopover for Tashkent.
Vaccinations
No mandatory vaccinations are required to enter Uzbekistan.
However, it is useful to follow some hygienic measures, drink only bottled water without adding ice, vegetables are recommended to eat cooked, fruit only if it is possible to peel it personally.
After medical consultation, vaccinations against typhoid, hepatitis A and B are recommended.
Before departure, it is advisable to take out health insurance, which covers medical costs and those relating to any repatriation.
