Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked Central Asian republic that contains many of the Silk Road's most legendary cities — Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva — with their iconic blue-tiled madrasas and minarets.
Geography & landscape
Uzbekistan sits in Central Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 447,400 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the temperate climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Tashkent, lies near coordinates 41°, 64°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Central Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Uzbekistan.
People & society
The population of Uzbekistan is around 36M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Uzbek, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Uzbekistan is structured as a presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Tashkent, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistani Som (UZS). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Tashkent and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Uzbekistan shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Uzbekistan through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Tashkent, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +998, and clocks are set to the UZT (UTC+5) time zone. ISO standards identify Uzbekistan as UZ (alpha-2) and UZB (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇺🇿, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Tashkent | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | Central Asia | — |
| Population | 36M | people |
| Area | 447,400 | km² |
| Currency | Uzbekistani Som (UZS) | — |
| Calling code | +998 | international dialling |
| Time zone | UZT (UTC+5) | standard time |
| Government type | Presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | UZ | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | UZB | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 41 | degrees |
| Longitude | 64 | degrees |
Did you know?
Uzbekistan is one of just two doubly landlocked countries in the world (along with Liechtenstein).
