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| DESTINATIONS ► Uzbekistan ► Khiva-lighthouse in the desert |
The republic of Uzbekistan (447.000 km2) is located in the desert regions of central Asia. In 1991 Uzbekistan declared about its independence.
Uzbekistan borders with 5 states: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Capital : Tashkent.
Official language : Uzbek. Russian is the language of communication.
Population : In Uzbekistan live the representatives of more than 120 nationalities, 75% of them are Uzbeks, 5 %Russians, 5 % Tajiks, 4 %Tatars, 3 % Kazakhs, and also Kyrgyzians, Karakalpaks, Turkmens, Koreans, Ukrainians and Armenians.
Religion : Major portion of the population (about 27 mln.) confesses Islam. In addition to this there are adherents of Christianity, Buddhism and Judaism.
The climate : of Uzbekistan is hot, dry and sharply continental. The north of republic relates to that moderated, the extreme south - to subtropical zones. Warm winter and hot prolonged summer is characteristic for Uzbekistan. Coldest month in the year - January, the hottest - July.
Nature : The large part of the territory of Uzbekistan is occupied with deserts. Southeast of Aral Sea in the valley of Turan stretches desert Kyzyl Kum, which occupies four tenth territories of Uzbekistan and stretches to the adjacent territory of Kazakhstan. It is interrupted only by several residual mountainous areas, which reach height 920 m. To the south from there lies the large steppe landscape, through which flows Amu-Dar'ya. In the east of Uzbekistan lie Turkistan Mountains and foothill landscapes of Tien Shan. |
Khiva-lighthouse in the desert |
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Khorezm - Oasis in which are located Khiva and Urgench, lies between the deserts of Kyzyl Kum and Karakum. It is obliged for its rich plant world to Amu-Dar'ya and its strongly branched system of channels. Many centuries ago Khiva became the place, in which stopped the travelers experiencing thirst. The minarets of city as lighthouses lured the caravans to the city, which presented significant source of income. Khiva is the smallest of the splendid cities along the Silk Road; however, city is not inferior in the competition to such great cities as Samarkand and Bukhara. Here you feel yourself transferred into the past: small alleys, low buildings and many mosques, mausoleums and medreses. In the city were preserved approximately 50 splendid construction of that time. Among the many marvelous constructions there is palace Tosh -Khovli, the masterpiece of eastern architecture. UNESCO it declared Khiva world cultural heritage. |
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