 Uzbekistan is located in central Asia, bordered by Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. In the south and east of the country, the Pamir-Alai and Tien-Shan mountain ranges dominate and the Kyzyl Kum desert is the major feature of the northeast. Tashkent is the country’s capital, set in the Chirchik river valley. Many buildings in the old city were destroyed by a massive earthquake in 1966 and the new construction is of little architectural interest. Samarkand however, which was founded more than 5000 years ago and flourished until the 16th century, boasts many buildings of historical and architectural interest. The city of Bukhara is situated to the west of Samarkand and at one time was famous for being a centre of Islamic learning.
Uzbekistan is considered the most historically significant of the Central Asian republics, an ancient land lying between the Amu-Darya and Syr-Darya rivers. The country comprises some of the world’s oldest settlements, boasting most of Central Asia’s architectural splendours and a number of the main commercial centres along the Silk Road, the ancient trading route between China and the West during the Roman period.
 Many notable (and also savage) conquerors took control of the region, beginning as early as the 4th century BC. Alexander the Great established a number of cities in Central Asia prior to the opening of the Silk Road trade with China. In the 5th to the 12th centuries AD, Arabs, Huns and Turks arrived from the west and introduced Islam. Mosques and madrassahs were built in Bukhara, Khiva and Samarkand during this time. Most of the cities were subsequently destroyed during Genghis Khan’s invasion of 1220. Timur, also known as Tamerlane, rebuilt some of the important centres, using artists and slaves captured during his successful crusades. Most of the architecture to be seen in Samarkand was build by Timur, and his grandson Ulugbek.
Today visitors are attracted to Uzbekistan for its variety of attractions and activities that include an ancient culture, the intrigue of the historical Great Silk Road, architectural masterpieces, colourful oriental bazaars and outdoor adventures to be had in the mountains and deserts.
There are a number of hotels in the major cities, ranging from top-class luxury establishments to budget lodgings. For families, there are many mid-range hotels offering excellent facilities and entertainment.
Weather
 Uzbekistan’s climate is characterised as being extreme continental. Generally, the weather is the warmest in the south and the coldest in the north with temperatures averaging 0°C in the south in December and -8°C in the north. Extreme fluctuations can see temperatures dropping to as low as -35°C in mid-winter. During the summer months, temperatures can climb to 45°C and higher, although the humidity remains low.
The spring months, from April to June, and the autumnal months of September and October are typically the best for visiting Uzbekistan, as the weather is at its most favourable. If your interest is in trekking however, then the summer months of July and August are the best, as the least precipitation occurs during this time.
History
 Early in the country’s history, Alexander the Great was the first of many famous conquerors of Uzbekistan. It was on his way to India in the 4th century BC, that he married the daughter of a local chieftain. In the 8th century AD, the country was conquered by Muslim Arabs. In the 9th century, the indigenous Samanid dynasty established its empire, but its territory was subsequently overrun by Genghis Khan in 1220.
In the 14th century, Timur (or Tamerlane, as he is known in the west), established an empire with Samarkand as its capital. In fact, most of Uzbekistan’s noted sights date from the Timurid dynasty. A number of Muslim city-states developed, forming strong relations with Persia. During the 16th and 17th centuries, trade with Russia became significant and by the mid-19th century, Russia occupied Tashkent. Later in the same century, Russia conquered all of the Central Asian nations.
In 1876, Russia dissolved the Khanate of Kokand, but allowed the Khanates of Bukhara and Khiva to continue as direct protectorates. The rest of Central Asia was placed under colonial administration and investment was made to develop the infrastructure, to promote the growing of cotton and also to encourage settlement by Russian citizens. The Soviet Socialist Republic of Uzbekistan came into being in 1924.
 Uzbekistan was quite important to Moscow during the Soviet era, particularly for its natural resources and production of cotton. Unfortunately, the irrigation methods used to support the growth of cotton plants caused the Aral Sea to diminish to half of its former volume, and this is considered to be one of the most significant environmental disasters in the world.
The country declared its independence on 1 September, 1991. Islam Karimov was elected president in December of that same year, receiving an overwhelming majority of the votes cast. The elections were not viewed as free and fair by international observers, however. After his election, Karimov encouraged nationalist sentiment that was decidedly anti-Russian and the vast majority of ethnic Russians, which amounted to more than two million people, fled the country. Missionaries from a number of Islamic countries began to popularise a radical interpretation of Islam, and beginning in early 1999, terrorists began attacking targets in cities throughout the country. Many political analysts believe that the ongoing attacks are related to the government’s support of the US-led international campaign against terror.
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