Official name: Republic of UzbekistanPolitical system: Republic
The head of the state: President
Legislature: Two-chamber parliament - Oliy Majlis
Geographical location: in the Middle Asia
Capital: Tashkent - 2,140 million people
Major cities: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Namangan, Andijan, Fergana, Kokand
Official language: Uzbek
Religions: Muslims, Orthodox
Climate: sharply continental, droughty
Average temperature: from -8°C to +4°C in January; from +22°C to +32°C in July
Monetary unit: Uzbek soum (UZS)
Telephone country code: 998
International country code: UZB
Internet domain: .uz
National holidays: September, 1st - the Independence Day (1991)
Major tourist sights: 10 natural preserves; in Samarkand: Afrosiab (VI century B.C.-XIII century) ancient settlement, Architectural Ensembles Registan (XV-XVII centuries), Bibi-Khanym Mosque (XIV century), Shakhi-Zinda (XIV-XV centuries) Necropolis, family Burial-Vault of Timurid Dynasty - Gur Emir Mausoleum (XIV century), Ulugbek Observatory (XV century), Al Bukhari Memorial Complex; in Bukhara: Old Town, Ark Citadel (XV century), Ismail-Samani Mausoleum (IX-X centuries), Poi-Kalyan Ensemble (XII-XVI centuries), Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace (1892-1917); in Khiva: Ichan-Kala Architectural and Historical Preserve (XIX century), including Kunya-Ark Citadel, Islam-Khodge Mosque and Minaret, Tash-Khauli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum (XIII-XIV centuries); in Shakhrisabz: Ak-Saray Palace ruins (XIV-XV centuries), Architectural Ensembles Doru-Siadat (XIV-XIX centuries) and Doru-Tillovat (XV century); in Termez: Khakim at Termezi Mosque (XII century), Buddhist Cultural ancient settlements of Baktric period - Dalverzintepe and Karatepe
