Tashkent Travel Guide, Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Overview

Location: Tashkent is the capital city of Uzbekistan and is located on the western part of the Altai Mountains. Tashkent is situated on the way from Shymkent to Samarkand. Tashkent lies at the meeting point of Chirchik River. Kashkent is also a lively tectonic region and it has suffered many earthquakes in the past. Tashkent is also the largest city in Uzbekistan and it has advanced amenities.

Population: According to a demographical study in 2006, the total population of Tashkent was 2.1 million. However, according to an unofficial data, Tashkent was inhabited by more than three million people. Tashkent is populated by many ethnic groups and the majority of the inhabitants were the Uzbeks. Other minority groups in Tashkent include Russians, Kazaks, Tatars, Tajiks and Karakalpaks.

Economy: Tashkent has a stable economy and it relies mostly on the commodity production. Some of the commodity products produced in Tashkent include cotton, gold, natural gas and uranium. Uzbekistan demonstrates rigid economic control and they often resist foreign investors. Effective policy and controlled transition to scientific means of production have greatly increased the rate of production thereby improving the national economy. Today, Tashkent has emerged as a major economic centre through central Asia.

Transportation: Tashkent has effective and efficient public transportation system operating inside the city. Public transportations in Tashkent include trams, trolley buses and mini buses operated by the government throughout the city. There are also infinite numbers of registered as well as unregistered taxis operating across the city. Air transportation in Tashkent is operated by the Turkish Airlines and regular flights between Tashkent to Istanbul are available five days a week. Tashkent also has a metro system operating currently on three routes.

Culture and festival: As Tashkent is inhabited by many ethnic groups, there is a mixed culture. Traditional pottery and traditional clothes of Tashkent are very famous and the citizen prefer them. A wide range of yearly festivals is being celebrated in Tashkent and many other international festivals and exhibitions are also held in Tashkent. One of the most famous festivals in Tashkent is the Navruz which is similar to the spring feast and the new year of Central Asia. Bukhara Silk and Spice Festival is another festival widely celebrated in Tashkent.

People: The people of Tashkent are highly religious and they are known for their hospitality. Moreover, the literacy rate of the citizen of Tashkent is very high. More than 90% of the total adults who are above 15 are able to read or write.

Weather: Weather in Tashkent is very cold in winter and the minimum temperature may reach– 15 degrees Celsius on a cold windy day. The summer is not so hot and the average temperature is around 18- 25 degrees Celsius.