Uzbekistan Overview
GENERAL
Official name of the state
Republic of Uzbekistan.
Capital
Tashkent.
Geography
As a country located in Asia according to historyaah, Uzbekistan borders Afghanistan to the south, Turkmenistan to the west, Kazakhstan to the west and north, Kyrgyzstan to the northeast, and Tajikistan to the east. The landscape is extremely varied. In the south and east, the Tian Shan and Pamir-Alaj mountain ranges dominate the landscape. In the northwest, the Aral Sea and the almost deserted Ust-Urt plateau with its numerous cotton fields form a natural border. Much of the country’s area is desert.
Government
Presidential republic since 1992. Constitution of 1992. Unicameral parliament with 250 members, election every five years. Since 1991 independent state of the CIS.
Head of state
Shavkat Mirziyoyev, since December 2016.
Head of government
Shavkat Mirziyayev, since 2003.
Electricity
220 V, 50 Hz.
Time zone
Uzbekistan Time: CET +6
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official language is Uzbek (80%), a Turkic language. Russian (14%) is spoken by a minority.
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following articles can be imported into Uzbekistan duty-free (people over 16 years):
1000 cigarettes or 1 kg of tobacco products;
1.5 liters of alcoholic beverages and 2 liters of wine;
Perfume for personal use;
Goods up to a total value of US $ 10,000 (no vehicles).
When entering the country, a customs declaration must be filled out, which must be presented on departure.
Export restrictions
Medicines for personal use should be declared upon import so that there is evidence of this upon export. Otherwise, the imported drugs could be seen as drugs acquired in Uzbekistan upon departure, which could result in heavy fines and a temporary ban on traveling.
Prohibited imports
Guns, ammunition, drugs, propaganda material directed against Uzbekistan, fruits and vegetables.
Prohibited exports
Objects that are over 75 years old or of particular cultural value may not be exported. When buying, it is best to have a certificate of the age of the goods issued
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Business hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Economy
Federation of German Industries
(Eastern Committee of German Business)
Breite Strasse 29, D-10178 Berlin
Tel: (030) 20 28 14 52.
Internet: www.ostausschuss.de
Austrian
Chamber of Commerce (Eastern Europe Department)
Stubenring 8-10, A-1010 Vienna
Tel: (01) 514 50.
Internet: http://portal.wko.at
United Economic
Chambers Sonnenbergstrasse 48, CH-8032 Zurich
Tel: (043) 268 43 00.
Internet: www.jointchambers.ch
Ministry for Foreign Trade
Ul. T. Sherchenko 75, 74077 Tashkent
Tel: (071) 138 50 88.
Tashkent International Business Center
Gospitalmy Massiv 7, House no.12, Tashkent
Tel: (071) 133 27 07.
Business contacts
Federation of German Industries
(Eastern Committee of German Business)
Breite Strasse 29, D-10178 Berlin
Tel: (030) 20 28 14 52.
Internet: www.ostausschuss.de
Austrian
Chamber of Commerce (Eastern Europe Department)
Stubenring 8-10, A-1010 Vienna
Tel: (01) 514 50.
Internet: http://portal.wko.at
United Economic
Chambers Sonnenbergstrasse 48, CH-8032 Zurich
Tel: (043) 268 43 00.
Internet: www.jointchambers.ch
Ministry for Foreign Trade
Ul. T. Sherchenko 75, 74077 Tashkent
Tel: (071) 138 50 88.
Tashkent International Business Center
Gospitalmy Massiv 7, House no.12, Tashkent
Tel: (071) 133 27 07.
COMMUNICATION
Phone
Dial-up remote service.
Cellphone
GSM 900/1800. Mobile phone companies are Uzdunrobita GSM, Daewoo-GSM, Coscom (Internet: www.coscom.uz) and Uzmacom (Internet: www.uzmacom.uz). The reception / transmission area covers all major towns and the entire province of Tashkent.
Internet
Main provider: Eastlink. There are internet cafes in Tashkent.
Post Office
Post to Western Europe takes between two weeks and two months. Postage paid envelopes can be purchased from post offices. The address should be written on the envelope in the following order: country, zip code, city, street, house number and finally the name of the addressee. Post office opening times: Sat-Thu 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The main post office in Tashkent is open until 7:00 p.m. Tourists can also use the post offices in the large Uzbekintour hotels.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Typically Central Asian you can shop in the bazaars in Tashkent and Samarkand. The offer ranges from herbs and spices to oriental carpets. Many museums sell reproductions of the exhibits and some originals. A special permit is required for the export of objects that are over 100 years old or of particular cultural value. Shop opening times: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (grocery stores), 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (all other shops).
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
There are numerous theaters in Tashkent. Opera and ballet evenings are held in the Navoi Theater opposite the Tashkent Hotel. Prices are very low, with most events starting at 6pm. Live bands often play in restaurants.
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
Tourists still have to stay in hotels that are registered with Uzbektourism. In addition to these hotels, however, there are more and more private accommodations that are also registered. You have to confirm each night in the hotel. Except in the large hotels, mostly built with foreign capital, the service and facilities do not necessarily correspond to western standards, but are constantly being improved. Most hotel rooms have a shower and toilet, but soap and toilet paper are not always available. In all major cities there is at least one Uzbektourism hotel that accommodates foreign guests. If you have not already booked your trip in your home country, you usually have to pay in US dollars.
Camping
Uzbektourism offers camping holidays in the mountains in the main season.
CULTURE
Religion
Mostly Muslim (88%), Russian Orthodox (9%) and Jewish minorities.
Social rules of conduct
Non (bread) should never be placed upside down or on the floor (even in a bag). When entering a house, you take off your shoes, but keep your socks on. Short pants are extremely unusual.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Extreme continental climate, in the south it is warmest and in the north it is coldest.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +998 Area (square km) 447 400 Population 29199942 Population density (per square km) 65 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 103