ABOUT UZBEKISTAN



The Republic of Uzbekistan declared September 1, 1991 the Day of Independence. The new country appeared on world map and its priorities were to establish a free democratic society and to develop a market economy. The Republic has been recognized by more than 165 countries and diplomatic relations have been established with more than 120. The embassies of more than 40 countries and many authorized international non-governmental agencies have set up their offices in Tashkent. The embassies of Uzbekistan operate in 25 countries of the world and its consulates 10 countries. The country joined the UN in March 1992.

Since the first days of independence the government of the country has found the way to meet the interests of the Uzbek nation and provide social, political and economic stability.

At present trade-economic links have been established with more than 140 countries. More than 3800 joint ventures operate in the Republic and the total volume of exported goods has increased 1,5 times.

Support to on-going reforms in the economic and social spheres is provided by the international financial structures.

Uzbekistan is developing its co-operation with well-known international organizations such as the EU, OSCE, NATO and is strengthening mutually beneficial bilateral relations with many countries of Europe, America, Asia, Africa, and the countries of the CIS.

Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan
conventional short form: Uzbekistan
local long form: O'zbekiston Respublikasi
local short form: O'zbekiston
Government type:republic
Capital:Tashkent (Toshkent)
Administrative divisions:12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (respublika), and 1 city** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati, Buxoro Viloyati, Farg'ona Viloyati, Jizzax Viloyati, Namangan Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi), Qaraqalpog'iston Respublikasi* (Nukus), Samarqand Viloyati, Sirdaryo Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri**, Toshkent Viloyati, Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch)
Independence:1 September 1991
National holiday:Independence Day, 1 September (1991)
Constitution:new constitution adopted 8 December 1992
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal


 

Culture and Traditions
Culture of Uzbekistan is one of the brightest and original cultures of East. It is inimitable national music, dances and painting, unique national kitchen and clothes. The Uzbek national music is characterized as variety of subjects and genres. The songs and tool plays according to their functions and forms of usage can be divided into two groups: performed in the certain time and under the certain circumstances and performed at any time. The songs connected with customs and traditions, labor processes, various ceremonies, dramatized entertainment representations and games belong to the first group.

The Uzbek people is well-known for its songs. Koshuk - household song with a small diapason melody, covering one or two rows of the poetic text. The dancing character of a melody of this genre provides their performance in support of comic dances. "Lapar" is a dialogue-song. In some areas the term - lapar is applied to wedding songs "Ulan" (which is performed as a dialogue of man and women). Genre "yalla" includes two kinds of songs: a melody of a narrow range, and solo simultaneously with dance. National and professional poems of the poets of East are used as the texts for the songs. The special place in the Uzbek musical heritage occupy "dastans" (epic legends with lyric-heroic content). Also "Makoms"- are the basic classical fund of professional music of oral tradition.

The dances of uzbeks distinguish softness, smoothness and expressiveness of movements, easy sliding step, original movements on a place and on a circle.

The development of national painting began many centuries ago. At 16-17 centuries art of the manuscript and binding in Bukhara and some other urban centers has achieved significant success. The decorating of manuscript included refined calligraphy, performance by water paints and thin ornaments on fields. In Samarkand and especially in Bukhara the Central Asian school of a miniature has achieved a great success and were developed many different style directions. One of them, for example is connected with traditions of Behzod, which characterized with its gentle style of writing the letter and architectural elements.


National clothes
The Uzbek national clothes of the end of XX centuries remain constant up these days. The men in that time carried a direct cover shirts, bottom and top dressing gowns. The dressing gowns were very light and made from cotton wool. There were cuts on each side of dressing gown for convenience at walking. The trousers were made wide, of direct breed lent from top to bottom. Female clothes: dressing gowns, dress, "parandja"- also of wide breed.


Handicrafts
Culture, handicrafts and tourism are rapidly becoming inseparable partners. Local crafts are important elements of culture, and people travel to see and experience other cultures, traditions and ways of living. Crafts products form an important element of the purchases made by tourists, providing an important economic input to the local economy.

Applied art of Uzbeks has a wealth of variety when it comes to style, materials and ornamentation. Silk, ceramics and cotton weaving, stone and wood carving, metal engraving, leather stamping, calligraphy and miniature painting are some genres passed down from ancient times. Back in the past, each region had its own cultural and ethnic traditions the unique features of which were established by local guilds that have strengthened these characteristics through their art.

Uzbek craftsmen nowadays still practice ancient jewellery making techniques for cutting gemstones, grain filigree, granular work, engraving and enamelling, also they are trying to take into account fashion demands and styles.

Embroidery is one of the most popular trends of applied arts in Uzbekistan. Every city of Uzbekistan has its own unique features such as ornamentation, composition, colour range and stitching. The finest kind of embroidery, gold embroidery is still practised in Bukhara.

The art of carpet weaving is also a very ancient form of art throughout Asia and the East, and nowadays it can be found in some of the cities of Uzbekistan today. The art of wood carving is used and adapted in modern interior design. Carved and painted tables, stools, caskets, pencil boxes and bookstands are popular pieces of furniture among local people and tourists. The art of Miniature painting and calligraphy has been revived again in its traditional form as well as some modern variants. For example miniatures stamped on leather, painted on paper miniatures, small lacquered boxes, framed pictures, pencil boxes and many other ideas skilfully painted by masters can be found in Uzbekistan.
Science and Education

Science
Today Uzbekistan is a large scientific center in Central Asia. Almost 300 scientific institutions function in the country. There are a well-developed research basis and a wide scientific fund with over 25,000 skilled scientists and researchers. The scientists of the republic carry out fundamental research in the important trends of modern science contributing greatly in such branches like microelectronics, astronomy, biophysics, genetics and geology.

The accomplishments of Uzbek scientists in probability theory, hydrometeorology and the study of superconductors, medicine and agriculture are well known. During the transition period, the share of public funds allocated for the development of science make up 0.5 - 0.6% of the budget. Over 3.5 billion Soums are allocated annually for research programs carried out by the State Committee on Science and Engineering. Stemming from the issues of Uzbekistan's development, the priority trends in scientific research include the utilization of genetic engineering in the production of new kinds of silkworm cocoons; the development of solar thermal systems; and the development of water-saving irrigation and water conservation technologies.

The Academy of Sciences
The Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan was formed on November 4, 1943, on the basis of 10 scientific-research institutes involving scientists of the evacuated scientific institutions from Ukraine, Byelorussia, and western regions of Russia. Today the Academy of Sciences is a supreme scientific institution in the republic and a center of research. The scientific institutions are incorporated into seven branches depending on the profile of their research: physico- mathematical sciences; mechanics and management processes; earth sciences; chemical-engineering sciences; biological sciences; philosophical, economic and juridical sciences; history, linguistics and literature. During the years of independence the scientists of Uzbekistan have scored great accomplishments in different branches of science. The Academy of Sciences has instituted Gold Medals named after al-Khorezmi, Khabib Abdulayev and Zakhiriddin Babur. Academician Kh. F. Fazylov, in 1993, has become the first holder of the Gold Medal named after al-Khorezmi in the field of natural and engineering sciences. Corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, U.I. Karimov, was the first to be awarded with the Gold Medal named after Z. Babur for his great contribution in the humanities.

In 1992 academician I. Kh. Khamrabayev became the first knight of the Gold Medal named after Kh. Abdullayev for his merits in the field of geology and geophysics.

International Scientific Cooperation
During the years of independence Uzbekistan has established and is developing scientific and technical cooperation with the USA, the European Union, Japan, China, Republic of Korea, India and others. As their basis they have over 60 international agreements in the field of scientific-engineering cooperation and the protection of intellectual property. Partnership relations are established with the scientific and engineering associations of the European Union INTAS and INCO-Copernicus, NATO's scientific committee, the American Civil Research and Development Fund (CRDF), and the Ukrainian Scientific-Research Center. In 1999 about US$4 million was allocated for Uzbek scientists as international grants to implement the scientific and engineering projects. The decree by the Cabinet of Ministers of the republic stipulates a number of financial privileges, including exemption from state payments and taxes for the international scientific-engineering programs implemented in Uzbekistan. Lately a number of joint scientific-engineering projects with the USA, Germany, India, and the CIS countries is carried out along the priority trends on a bilateral basis. The republic regularly hosts international scientific-engineering seminars and conferences in various fields of natural, humanitarian sciences, medicine, agriculture, applied research, the innovation issues, the commercialization of science, the development and the transfer of technologies.

World Science and Uzbek Scientists
Prominent Uzbek scientists working currently are the successors of the scientific traditions and schools which have been set up in the republic during the previous years. A large group of world-famous scientists has been and is still working in the Republic of Uzbekistan. In the field of mathematics the science of Uzbekistan was made famous by such outstanding scientists Academicians Romanivsky V.I., T.N. Kary-Niyazov; T.A. Sarymsakov, T.D. Djuraev, S.K. Sirajdinov; in physics by Academicians U.A. Arifov; S.A. Azimov, WS.V. Starodubscev; in mechanics - Urazbaev M.T., Khodjinova M.A., Rakhmatullin K.A., Usmanhodjaev. In the field of chemistry - Academicians A.S. Sadykov; S.U. Yunusov, M.N. Nabiev; in biology - Academicians Shreder R.R., K.Z. Zakhirov; D.K. Saidov, Rusanov F.N., Mukhamedjanov M.V.; in medicine - Academicians V.V. Vakhidov; S.A. Alimov. The Academicians Kh.M. Abdullaev, H.N. Baimukhamedov, and G.A.Mavlianov in the field of earth science. The Academician Ya. G. Guliamov was an outstanding archeologist. The works by the Academician I.M. Muminov in the field of philosophy have attained world fame. The works by the Academicians Yu. Radjabov (Radjabi), G.G. Guliamov (Ghafur Guliam), Aibek, K.N. Nigmanov (Yashen) in literature and music are well known in the world. Academician Kh.S. Suleimanova did eminent works in the field of jurisprudence. American encyclopaedia "Who is who" published in 1992 in USA included almost thirty names the best Uzbek scientists.

Education
The level of education in Uzbekistan corresponds to the parameters that are typical for the leading states of the world. Ninety-nine per cent of country's population is literate; the principle of general 9-year education is still preserved. Judging by the indices of educational level, Uzbekistan is among the leading countries of the world. The country has managed to preserve the state system of training specialists, thus ensuring wide access to education for all strata of the population. The reform of educational system and training the national specialists is a state priority, that is embodied in the National Program on training the personnel and the Law on Education. In the sector of pre-school education the network of home kindergarten and complexes of "kindergarten - school" has been formed, as well as 800 groups, where children can take up art, music, foreign languages and basis of computerization. Over 400 academic lyceums, secondary schools and colleges have been formed at the expense of state investments. On the basis of the Decree issued by President Islam Karimov, On Establishing New Institutions of Higher Learning, dated February 28, 1992, a number of new universities and their branches was founded in the country. In 1997 the government of Uzbekistan started holding the second stage of reforms in the field of education. At present, any school can choose that program, which more completely meets its requirements and type of teaching, which means a partial decentralization in the system of education. The Asian Bank for Development allotted its credit to the government estimated at US $ 40 million to purchase new text-books for schools and US $50 million for the development of professional institutions network.

The National Program of Training
The National Program of training specialists and the Law on Education have laid the foundation for reformations of the educational system in Uzbekistan. The National Program is oriented to the formation of a new generation of experts with high professional and general culture distinguished for their creative and social activity. The program, among other things, stipulates the formation of absolutely new structures - the academic lyceums and colleges. On February 24, 1998, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a special decree on organizing lyceums, colleges and their management. The reason for the formation of them lies in the fact that students will acquire not only basic but also specialized knowledge on certain disciplines for further training in an institution of higher learning. Within 3 years boys and girls master 2-3 professions. Today there are over 400 academic lyceums and professional colleges in the republic. There are 246 specialized secondary schools where 250,000 students master 170 specialties.

Higher Education
Great attention is paid in the republic to the improvement of educational system and training of qualified specialists. On the basis of the president's decree dated February 28, 1992, twenty-four new institutions of higher learning and their branches to train specialists for principle branches of the national economy were established. Today there are 59 institutions of higher learning function in the republic, including 16 universities, 39 teacher training institutes, medical, technical, economic, agricultural, and other institutes. About 300 thousand students master 276 specialties there. The oldest higher Institutions in Uzbekistan are the National University named after Ulugbek (in past: first - Middle Asian, than Tashkent State University), the Technical Institute ( Polytecnical Institute). Since 1991 the number of higher educational institutions has increased by 30 %. New higher educational institutions have appeared: the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Academy of State and Public Structuring, Academy of Armed Forces, Academy of Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The Academy of State and Social Construction
The academy was set up in April 1995; it is the main institution for training, retraining and raising the level of state employees, government officials, and economic structure experts. The academic education is aimed at the formation in students of modern thinking, great erudition, and competence, initiative and creative approach towards the solution of a problem. There are three faculties at the Academy: the Faculty of State and Public Structuring (training term is 10 months), the Faculty of Bases and Principles of Market Economy (Training term is 10 months), and the Faculty of Intergovernmental Relations and Foreign Economic Ties (Training term is 12.5 months).







Travel Info
How to travel to Uzbekistan
The most convenient way to travel to Uzbekistan is by taking flight to Tashkent, the capital, from main international airports of Europe, Asia and Middle East. The national airline is Uzbekistan Airways (HY), which significantly expanded its routes since independence of Uzbekistan, offers regular flights to London, Birmingham, Amsterdam, Athens, Frankfurt am Main, Paris, Peking, Bangkok, Dhaka, Delhi, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, New York, Seoul, and Tel Aviv. Further, HY offers flights to many destinations within the CIS and Uzbekistan. In addition, Tashkent is also served by several international carriers: Lufthansa (Frankfurt/M and Almaty), Pakistan International Airways (Islamabad), Air India (Delhi), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul), Shinjiang Airways (Urumchi in China) and Arianna (Kabul).

Accomodations:
During the past few years, luxurious hotels were built in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, which are managed by western hotel operators. In addition, there are a number of licensed independent hotels and B&B's that provide suitable accommodation at much lower price. It is necessary for visitors to obtain a registration during the stay in Uzbekistan, which is usually provided by the hotel that you will stay. Most tourist hotel rooms have a shower, private bath, air conditioning, telephone, satellite TV with international channels like CNN, BBC, ESPN.

Weather:
Uzbekistan has an extreme continental climate. It is generally warmest in the south and coldest in the north. Temperatures in December average -8°C (18°F) in the north and 0°C (32 °F) in the south. However, extreme fluctuations can take temperatures as low as -35°C (-31°F). During the summer temperatures can reach 45°C (113°F) and above. Humidity is low. Spring (April to June) and Fall (September through October) are in general the most pleasant times to travel. The weather is mild and in April the desert blooms briefly. In Fall it's harvest time, and the markets are full of fresh fruit. If you're interested in trekking, then summer (July and August) is the best time, because summers are almost dry. In recent years Uzbekistan was notably affected by the global warming and dry-out of the Aral See, which turned snowy cold winters to mild with less precipitation by allowing to travel in the wintertime.

MonthAvg. HighAvg. LowMeanAvg. Precip.Avg. HighAvg. LowMeanAvg. Precip.
Jan42°F26°F33°F2.20 in.6°C-3°C1°C55.9 mm
Feb46°F29°F36°F1.90 in.8°C-2°C2°C48.3 mm
Mar57°F39°F48°F2.80 in.14°C4°C9°C71.1 mm
Apr71°F49°F60°F2.50 in.22°C9°C16°C63.5 mm
May81°F56°F69°F1.30 in.27°C13°C21°C33.0 mm
Jun91°F63°F78°F0.30 in.33°C17°C26°C7.6 mm
Jul96°F66°F82°F0.20 in.36°C19°C28°C5.1 mm
Aug93°F63°F78°F0.10 in.34°C17°C26°C2.5 mm
Sep83°F54°F68°F0.20 in.28°C12°C20°C5.1 mm
Oct69°F45°F56°F1.30 in.21°C7°C13°C33.0 mm
Nov57°F38°F46°F1.80 in.14°C3°C8°C45.7 mm
Dec47°F31°F38°F2.10 in.8°C-1°C3°C53.3 mm

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