Contents Geographic information Climatic conditions Population Culture National cuisine Tourist resources the nature Handicrafts Great silk road Tashkent Samarkand Bukhara Khiva Shakhrisabz Termez Ferghana valley Chimgan

General information Official name: Republic of Uzbekistan Capital: Tashkent Area: 447.400sq.kms Population: 24.000 000 Language: Uzbek Religion: Muslim majority, Russian orthodox and other minorities Time: +5 hours GMT Electricity: 220v, 50Hz.AC.2 pin plugs Currency: Soum Banks: Monday to Friday

GEOGRAPHICAL SITUATION
The Republic of Uzbekistan is situated in the center of Central Asia between the rivers Amudarya and Syrdarya. The major part of the North - West of its territory is situated on the Turan Lowland, Tian - Shan and Alai Mountain ranges are situated in the south - east and the South - west of it (the right bank of Amudarya River) joins the part of Kizil - Kum desert. Uzbekistan consists of 12 administrative regions and Republic of Karakalpakistan . The territory is app. 447,4 thousand square kilometers, borders on Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tadjikistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan .

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
Dry climate with contrasting and quick transition from the unstable winter to a warm rainy spring, from humid, warm and short spring to a long dry summer, all these are typical for Uzbekistan . Very often autumn begins with sharp Fluctuation of temperature, light frosts, rains, sometimes followed by snow for a short period of time. The transition from autumn to winter is sharp. All of it in combination with general aridity makes the climate of Uzbekistan original. Winters are very unstable: often light and hard frosts are followed by intensive and lasting taws.

The average temperature in July is 30-35 C. However, in the valley, the heart is easily disguised because of the green vegetation, cool steams and artificial brooks along the streets that can be found hidden with cooling parks along the streets and fountains in squares. The temperatures in January is –10, -3 C. Uzbekistan is rich in natural resources, which can be hardly found in any other region processing powerful sources almost of all types of mineral water and a number of beautiful mountainous areas that are not inferior to the Alps.

POPULATION
Uzbekistan is a multinational country. Representatives of more than one hundred nations and folks live on its territory. In 1998 the population of the country was 24 000 000 people. According to the general census of the population in the 1998, the national structure is as follows: Uzbeks make up 74,5 %, Kazakhs-4,1%, Tadjiks-4,8 %, Kirgizes-0,9 %, Turkmens-0,6 %, Tatars-2,4 %, Russians-6,5 %, Ukrainians-0,8 %, Belorussians-0,1 %, Koreans-0,9 %, Jews-0,3 %, other nationalities-4,1 %.

CULTURE
Culture of Uzbekistan is one of the brightest and original cultures of East. It is inimitable national music, dances and painting, unique national kitchen and clothes. The Uzbek national music is characterized as variety of subjects and genres. The songs and tool plays according to their functions and forms of usage can be divided into two groups; Performed in the certain time and under the certain circumstances and performed at any time. The songs connected with customs and traditions, labor processes, various ceremonies, dramatized entertainment representations and games belong to the first club. The dances of Uzbeks distinguish softness, smoothness and expressiveness of movements, easy sliding step, original movements on a place and on a circle.

The development of national painting began many centuries ago. At 16-17 centuries art of the manuscript and binding in Bukhara and some other urban centers has achieved significant success. The decorating of manuscript included refined calligraphy, performance by water paints and thin ornaments on fields. In Samarkand and especially in Bukhara the Cental Asian school of a miniature has achieved a great success and many different style directions were developed. One of them, for example is connected with traditions of Behzod, which characterized with its gentle style of writing the letter and architectural elements.

NATIONAL CUISINE
Uzbek cuisine is one of the most colorful of oriental Cuisine. You will be amazed to find some of the Uzbek recipes are centuries old. They even have various traditional rituals and ways of the preparing and cooking. There are about 1000 different dishes and this includes national drinks, cakes and confectionery products.

Uzbek plov is a very solemn dish. It can be considered as an everyday dish as well as dish for solemn and great events like weddings, parties, and holidays. Rice is the most important component of plov and special spices, raisins, peas or quince will be added to give it extra flavor. It makes this dish very tasty and useful especially after long illness. However, Uzbeks believe that the best plov is always prepared by a man. Salads are served as additional dishes to the plov. One very famous Uzbek appetizer is "kazy", the filled with horsemeat.

Bread is considered as "holy" for the Uzbek people. This traditional belief started in the ancient times and there's a legend behind this. The legend claims that each new Governor would mint his own coins but the payment for the local people for minting new coins were not the coins that were minted but. bread!

According to the tradition, when someone leaves the family he bites a small piece of "Obi-non" (Uzbek bread) and then it is buried until the traveler comes back and eat the whole bread. The tradition of putting bread into a basket and wearing the basket on the head also shows respectful attitude towards the bread. Traditionally Uzbek bread is baked inside the stoves made of clay called tandyr. These fragrant breads are known to be crispy and tasty. Even the great scientist of medicine, Avicenna used the Uzbek bread to cure people from diseases. There are however, two varieties of flatbreads - the common and the fancy ones. Common flatbreads (obi - non/uy-non) are baked from wheat flour with leaven. When baked, their surface is glossy and is sprinkled with sesame seeds or poppy seeds. The Fancy flatbreads are called "Patyr" and may be made from pastry of puff pastry with mutton fat added to keep it fresh for a longer time. Special importance is placed on soups. Uzbek's soup is rich with vegetables and seasonings and contains lots of carrots, turnips, onions and greens. Two popular soups available are mastava and shurpa. Other favorite are the shashlyk and samsa.

Uzbekistan is very famous for its tasty juices prepared from fruits like grapes, rock - melons, water-melons and rose-petals. Uzbeks also serve dry fruits, nuts and almonds which they are well known for. Make sure you try all the Uzbeks cuisine if possible and ask your host for the recipe if you like a particular dish.

TOURIST RESOURCES THE NATURE
During your travel in Uzbekistan you can enjoy the variety of unusual landscapes. For instance, the burning deserts where camels cannot even find a food. Cotton fields, fruits orchards, vegetable gardens and wine yards usually cover the breathtaking scenic valley. The vegetation and animal kingdom are very rich and colorful. There are many species of birds and 40.000 kinds of fauna and flora in Uzbekistan . About 500.000 square hectare of the territory is occupied by forest reserves and national parks.

Various types of mineral water springs are widely spread on the territory of Uzbekistan ; among them are analogies of the well-known Matsesta, Staraya Russia , Tskhaltudo, Naftussi and others, which provide effective treatment for diseases of various organs. Mountain peaks are always snow capped in spring or summer. In summer mountains provide an atmosphere of spring-like fresh - air and coolness. The steppes turn into emerald green carpets for the Greenland and interesting meadows in summer. Anytime is good time to travel in Uzbekistan . There are different activities to participate during the different seasons. It is a place, where peace and tranquility prevail and also a place where you can feel revitalized.

HANDICRAFTS
Culture, handicrafts and tourism are rapidly becoming inseparable partners. Local crafts are important elements of culture, and people travel to see and experience other cultures, traditions and ways of living. Crafts product form an important element of the purchases made by tourists, providing an important economic input to the local economy.

Applied Art of Uzbeks has a wealth of variety when it comes to style, materials and ornamentation. Silk, ceramics and cotton weaving, stone and wood carving, metal engraving, leather stamping, calligraphy and miniature painting are some genres passed down from ancient times. Back in the past, each region had its own cultural and ethnic traditions with the unique features that established by local artisans that have strengthened these characteristics through their art.

Uzbek craftsmen still practice ancient jewelry making techniques for cutting gemstones, grain filigree, granular work, engraving and enameling, also they are trying to take into account fashion demands and styles. Embroidery is one of the most popular trends of applied arts in Uzbekistan . Every city of Uzbekistan has its unique features such as ornamentation, composition, color range and stitching. The finest kind of embroidery, gold embroidery is still practiced in Bukhara.

The carpet weaving is also a very ancient form of art throughout Asia and the East and nowadays, it can be found in some of the cities of Uzbekistan . The art of woodcarving today is used and adopted in modern interior design. Carved and painted tables, stools, caskets, pencil boxes and bookstands are popular pieces among local people and tourists. The Miniature painting and calligraphy has been revived again in its traditional form as well as some modern variants. For example, miniature will be stamped on leather, painted on paper, small lacquered boxes, framed pictures, pencil boxes and other items skillfully painted by masters can be found in Uzbekistan.

GREAT SILK ROAD
For many centuries people of the East and the West were connected by a trading route stretching from South-East Asia to the countries of the Mediterranean Sea and area called " A Silk Road " (Seidenstrasse) by German geographer and geologist of the XIXth century Ferdinand von Richtofen. Silk was major commodity during those dangerous travels along steppes, deserts and mountainous paths. It was one of the most valuable fabrics and Chinese masters kept its producing technology in secret for thousands of years.

However, not only camel caravans carry silk but also a great amount of raw materials and goods made from bronze porcelain, wool and cobalt during many centuries from the East to the West and from West to the East. Besides that the silk roads served as a channel for spreading ideas, technologies, art and religions, promoting mutual enrichments of culture and formation of a common legacy of mankind. The main well-studied part of the road done by UNESCO's representatives, stretched from Italy via Turkey to Iraq and Iran, where wells and reservoirs for caravans and merchants were built; then the road led to Central Asia and over the North Pamirs to Kashgar and Yarkand where it divided into two passing round Takla-makon desert from the North and the South, and meet near Labnor lake, then it went to steppes inhabited by nomadic people and further to China.

Thanks to favorable location Uzbekistan held a central place on the Road. The Great Silk Road passes through all our main cities, which have great tourism potential. The most ancient part of it, built as far back as the V th to VI th centuries BC by Indo-Europeans, connects Bukhara with Samarkand through Vabkent, Gijduvan, and Karminah. The road connecting Bukhara with Samarkand , is forked out in Samarkand . Some of them lead to the North to Tashkent , then through Panjikent and Ahangaran to Chust. From Chust two roads, embracing main cultural centers of Ferghana Valley , merge into one caravan road to Osh ( Kirgizstan ).

To the South from Samarkand "Great Silk Road" over Takhtaqoracha Mountains goes down to Kitab- Shakrisabz and further on through Shirabad to Termez. This route is nearly as ancient as the " Samarkand - Bukhara " branch of the Silk Road . The subsequent years are characterized by the decline of the Great Silk Road. However, cultural and economic relations between different countries of the West and the East had never been ceased. They were maintained by other means and existed in other forms. "The Great Silk Road » that have united people of the East and the West in the course of many centuries, played a great role in the creation of a common culture legacy of mankind.

TASHKENT
Tashkent is one of the largest ancient cities in Central Asia , the capital of Uzbekistan. Tashkent was also known as Chach during the ancient times. Chach exported gold, precious stones, fruits and beautiful horses to other cities and states. Nowadays Tashkent has a population of more than 2,4 million. In Uzbek, Tashkent means “the Stone City ” and is also known as a city of striking contrasts.

Today Tashkent is one of the largest industrial centers in Central Asia that manufactures and repairs modern aircraft's. Tashkent has nearly 20 museums and consequently the Uzbek Art Museum has one of the largest collections of sculptures, paintings and handicrafts in Central Asia . Another Uzbek Museum of Applied Arts displays 30 000 exhibits of handicrafts, traditional jewelry, etc.

The most interesting part of Tashkent is an old town near Eski - Juva Bazaar, the largest market place that sells from cooked food to clothes. Its centerpiece is the Barrakhan Madrassah, a magnificent monument of the 16th century. The Al Bukhariy Islamic Institute, which trains Muslim clergy for the former republic of the Soviet Union , is also located in this complex.

After the devastating earth - quake in 1966, even some of the ancient and well - known architectures from the Middle Ages like the Unus - Khon mausoleum, the Kukeldash madrassah and the Borakhon Madrassah are still standing in Tashkent . There are two underground lines, which connect the eastern, western and southwestern part of the city. The Tashkent Metro is truly amazing and is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. A charming mixture of old and new, Tashkent comes as a highly recommended place for relaxation and holiday.

Historical and architectural monuments in Tashkent:
Kukeldash madrassah
Kaffal Sashi mausoleum
Architectural ensemble of Khazrat Imam
Abul Kasim Madrassah
Barracck-Khan Madrassah
Juma Mosque
Amir Temur Museum Amasterpiece of the modern architecture,
Amir Temur Square,
Mustakillik Square,
Khalqlar Dustligi Square,
Monument of Courage,
Chor - Su plaza
Hast Imom Square,
The Tillya Sheikh Mosque,
Khadra plaza,
Zanghi - Ota the Zanghi - Ota Mausoleum

SAMARKAND
Not many people realize the ancient fairy-tale city of Samarkand is as old as the Eternal City of Rome. It came into existence over 2500 years ago and was referred in ancient chronicles as “the pearl of the Moslem world”. Tamerlane (1336-1405) made Samarkand the capital of his empir, and named it as “the center of the Universe”. He lavishly adorned his beloved town with unique gems of architectural delight.

Let us visit the outstanding architectural monuments of this gem of the Orient, which have been preserved, to our day.

Shakhi-Zinda Ensemble of Mausoleums. This unusual necropolis is located at the southern foot of the Afrosiab mound. Here, the visitor will find unique architectural monuments of the 14 and 15 th centuries that reflect the basic trends in the development of monumental art and architecture during the time of Tamerlane and his descendents (the Timurid dynasty).

The name of “Shakhi-Zinda” which means “ living King” is associated with the imaginary grave of Kusam ibn Abbas who allegedly arrived in Samarkand with the Arab conquerors in the 7 th century and preached Islam. There are numerous legends about Kusam ibn Abbas which say that he was martyred for the faith when he was attacked by “infidels” during prayers and buried in the mausoleum which was built later by Temur in the 14 th century, But nobody is buried there because the history says the uncle of the prophet Muhammed- Kusam ibn Abbas got back from Merv (Turkmenistan) to Mecca, he had never arrived in Samarkand.

Bibi-Khanum Mosque (Masjidi jami, 1399-1404). This is the Grand or Friday Mosque and madrassah of the city of Samarkand , and from its ruins, we can see what an amazing structure it once was. Despite its enormity, a delicate and subtle understanding of the means of ornamentation is quite evident.

Gur-Emir Mausoleum (1405). This is the central part of a major architectural complex originally consisting o two buildings erected by Tamerlane in honor of his favorite grandson Muhammad Sultan. Tamerlane himself was entombed here, as were Shakhrukh, Mironshakh, Ulugbek, and others.

Registan. This is the central square of ancient Samarkand , and the architectural ensemble (15 th -17 th ) found here is truly rivaled by none. It consists of three madrassahs – roughly the equivalent of Moslem universities. Registan means literally “sand place”, although this hardly seems appropriate nowadays. Nonetheless, this is an historic site with which the names of many well-known figures of the East are associated. Among them are the astronomer and scholar Mirzo Ulugbek, the mathematician Ghiyasiddin Kashi, the astronomer Kazyzade Rumi, poets and thinkers Abdurakhman Jami and Alisher Navoi.

Ulugbek Madrassah (1417-1422). This is one of the most ancient educational establishments in Central Asia . In addition to Islamic religious instruction, lectures in such esoteric subjects as philosophy, mathematics and astronomy were given here. Observatory (rasadkhona) of Ulugbek (1429, suburbs of Samarkand) of what was once an impressive three-story building, all that has come down to us are the foundations of the ground floor, circular in plan, and the underground part of the main scientific instrument of the observatory- the base of a giant sextant. It was here that the Star Tables of Ulugbek were drawn up. This catalogue was the most outstanding phenomenon in the historyof medieval Eastern astronomy.

HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL MONIUMENTS OF SAMARKAND
The ancient settlement Afrosiab (the 8th c. BC. the 13th c. AD.)
Observatory of Ulugbek (1428-1429)
The foot of the hill Chupan-ota.
The architectural ensemble Shakhi-Zinda.
Hazret-Hyzr Mosque (the middle of the 19th c.)
Bibi - Khanum Mosque (1399 - 1404)
Madrassah (muslim school)
Of Ulug- bek (1417-1420)
Shir - Dor Madrassah - (1619-1635/36)
Tillya - Kari Madrassah (1647 - 1659/60)
Chor - Su, bazaar dome ( the end of 18th c.)
Rukhabad Mausoleum (1380)
Ak - Saray Mausoleum( 1470)
Gur - Emir Mausoleum (1404)
Namazgoh Mosque(17th c.)
Ishrat - Khona Mausoleum(1464)
Ensemble of Haji - Akhrar (the 15th -20th c.)
Chupon - Ata Mausoleum (1430-1440)
Hadji Abdi Darun Mazar (holy place of burial 15th 19th cc.)
Burial - vault of Hadji Daniyar (19th c.)

BUKHARA
Bukhara is one of the ancient cities of the world. For two and a half millenniums it had been making contributions in development of material and spiritual culture of mankind. Past of Bukhara is filled with important historical events, but many important “pages of history” are lost forever. Written sources about ancient past are very poor. Although first information about Bukhara can be found in Avesta, in Behistuan Writing of Persian king Dariy I, in “Hirodot History” and in works of other antic poets, it wasn't exactly Bukhara , but just western part of ancient Sogdiana. Information about Bukhara oasis as Sogdiana and sogdian people as one of the ancient people of Central Asia was first found in Avesta. From ancient times Bukhara was a center of different races and cultures. About history of forming of population of Bukhara , anthropological research from 2 millennium BC and later time conform that main base of all population was current European races. European-Mongol representatives were also living in Bukhara . Main parts of all population of Bukhara consisted of 2 variants of races of Central Asia regions, typical for Uzbek and Tajik. There were a lot of religions in Bukhara Sogd:Zoroastrism, Mitraism, Nestorian Christianity, Maniheystvo, Islam, Judaism. From 9 century Islam had become main religion.

“Bukhara-i-sharif”, “Noble”, “Sacred”-those few of numerous epithets, given to Bukhara city. Great poets of East of 9-10 centuries, such as Rudaki, Dakiki, Firdousi dedicated their rhymes to this beautiful city. “History of Bukhara ” was written in 10 th century. First period of existence of Bukhara was described in folk stories and numerous legends.

Famous archeologist V.A.Shishkin wrote:” Bukhara oasis can be called “a gift of Zaravshan” as ancients called Egypt as “a gift of Nil”. But Zaravshan, as well as Nil, Ind or Huanhe had been only necessary nature conditions for men, “impregnated” ground with own labor”.

In 16-17 centuries Bukhara was like a face of all Central Asia for Europeans. In that period in literature and in official documents, Central Asia was called as Bukharia.

Bukhara still has architectural and archeological monuments witnessing cultural heritage of all mankind. Among them is the Bukhara Ark (4 century BC-19 century AD)- ancient residence of rulers of Bukhara .

Mausoleum of Samainds (end of 9 th century-beginning of 10 th century) is the pearl of East, the unique masterpiece of world architecture. It's the first time in Central Asia when scorched brick masonry was made this perfect and had a view of organic decoration. In Samanid time, Bukhara had become the capital of all Islam worlds.

Minaret of Kalyan (1127 year) is one of the most beautiful monuments of the past and witnesses skills of architectures and craftsmen of Bukhara .

Mosque of Magoki Attoriy (12-16 th centuries) is also unique one. Its domes are just above the ground level and whole building is deeply immersed in cultural stratification. Archeological researches confirmed that this mosque was build upon the remaining parts of Moh mosque was built upon ancient temples of fire and idols. This mosque is one of the monuments of art culture of all Central Asia . Evidence of ancient position of Bukhara in caravan intersection of tradesmen, can be found in trade domes of 15-16 th : Toki-Sarrafon (dome of exchange), Toki-Telpak Furushon (dome of head gear tradesmen), Toki-Zargaron (jewelry dome) and Tim Abdullakhan.

Lyabi-haus building series display the continuance of architectural traditions of Bukhara . Created in 1620 by court officer Nadir Devan-Begi, it became the compositional center of architectural ensemble, consisting of existing Devan-Begi (1622), khonaqo Nodir Devan-Begi (1620), Kukeldash praying house (1568-1569).

HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENTS OF BUKHARA
Ark(11th - 20th cc.)
Boloi - Hauz Ensemble (the beginning of the 18th - 20th cc.)
Mausoleum of Samanids (the 9th - 10th cc.)
Chashmai - Ayub Mazar (1380 - 1384/85).
Madrassah of Abdullah - Khan (1596/98)
Madrassah of Madariy- Khan (1556/57)
Balyand Mosque (the beginning of the 16th c. )
Gaukushon Ensemble (Mosque, Minaret, Madrassah), (16th c.)
Honaka of Zainutdin - Hadji(1555).
Poi- Kalyan Ensemble(12th -14th cc.)
Labi-Hauz Ensemble (16th -17th cc.)
Kukeldash Madrassah (1568/69)
Hanaka of Nodir - Divan - Begi (1620)
Madrassah of Ulugbek (1417).
Madrassah of Abdulaziz - Khan (1652)
Boloi-Hauz Mosque (1712)
Mausoleum of Saifetdin Boharzity (the second half of the 13th c. - 14th c.)
Mausoleum of Buyan Kulikhan (the second half of the 14th c.-15th or 16th c.)
The out- of- town Mosque Namazgoh the (12th -16th c.)
Hanaka Faizabad (1598/99)
Chor -Minor Madrassah (1807)
Bukhara Emir Palace Sitoraiy - Mokhiy - Khossa (the end of the 19th - the beginning of the 20th c.)

KHIVA
In the Northwestern part of Uzbekistan , on the left bank of the Amu-Darya, in the transition zone between the sultry deserts of Karakum and Kizilkum are situated the lands of ancient Korezm oasis. This land is elevated 100 m. over the sea level and is characterized by sharp continental climate with severe, snow less winters and hot, dry summers. The rainfall amount is the lowest not only in Central Asia but also in the world at large. But even in many abnormal conditions people managed to develop these lands applying artificial irrigation in the III d –beginning of the 2 -nd millennium B.C.

But the archeological data proves that the city existed as early as the VI-VIII th century. First it appeared as a stopping place and later as a caravan –saroy on the ancient trade road near the well, called “Kheivak”, that gave the city its name “Kheiva, or Khiva”.

Beyond thick clay wall there opens a wonderful view of the old city of Khiva with its slender minarets, the cupolas of its mosques and madrasssahs. More monuments of the past have been preserved in Khiva than in Samarkand . Some of them are several centuries old. It looks like a fairy tale oriental city that came to us from the pages of the “Arabian nights”.

Like any other oriental city it has preserved the mediaeval traditional division into two separated parts: the inner city Shakhristan (turned into reservation in 1968), the outer city, where the major part of the population lives now.

In other terms Khiva is divided into the inner city- the Ichankala, and the external city- the Dishankala. Most of the architectural monuments are located with Ichankala, which is surrounded by a powerful fortified wall with 4 gates oriented towards the four main directions. Ichankala rises as a huge grayish-yellow bulk structures. It's very easy to get lost in the labyrinths of Ichankala. From a bird's eye view from an enormous minaret called “Islam-Khodja” (about 50-56 m) you will see a massive grayish cluster of the buildings of Ichankala.

Kalta minor (1855) . Kaltaminor is sent in front of main façade of Mukhammad Aminkhan madrassah. According to the historian Munis it was not completed because of Khan's death in 1855. The minaret was intended to be grandest in the Moslem East. Indeed, with a 14.2 m diameter base, it might have reached 70-80 m in height (the remained part of the Minaret is 26 m).

Mukhammad Amin-khan madrassah is the most significant in the ensemble at the south gates of Ichan-kala and the biggest one in Khiva, was erected in 1851-1855. it was a rich divine school, which possessed vast vakif property and incomes, where the Supreme Moslem Court was located. The madrassah is remarkable for the fact that for the first time in Khiva comfortable two-room apartments were arranged on the ground floor, while small rooms with loggie, facing the street was on the first floor. The decoration of the main façade has exceptional artistic value.

Kukhna-Ark means “an old fortress”. That is what the citadel in Khiva has been called since 1830s, instead of Tash-hauli Palace (“a stone palace'). The construction of the walls of Kukhna-Ark was built by order of Arang-khan, the son of Anusha-khan, in 1686-1688. According to dates, which inscribed on the facing, the building and decoration of Kukhna-Arka didn't cease throughout the 19 th century. The palace has several courtyards – the throne hall, harem, arsenal, mint, cookhouse and garrison. The summer Mosque in Kukhna Ark is part of the Mint ensemble, which sides, with the east wall of Kukhna Ark. The Mint, which was set up by Mukhammad Rakhim khan, I (1806-1825), is where gold and copper coins were minted. It's located among utilitarian brick edifices.

Islam-khoja minaret and madrassah (1908-1910) . Islasm-khoja minaret was built by the minister Islam-khoja of one of Khiva's last khans- Isfandiyar in 1910 and completes the ensemble of Ichan-kala. It's the heighest minaret in Khiva. The height of the minaret is 44.5 metres, diameter is 9.5 m. Islam-khoja madrassah serves as a background for the famous Islam-khoja minaret. It is asymmetrical, a small courtyard is built up with 42 small rooms, only those, only those at the entrance have two stores to give the main façade more composing appearance, with his accentuated by a splendid majolica decoration.

HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENTS OF KHIVA
Mosque and Madrassah of Said - bey (the end of the 18th c. - the beginning of the 19th c.); by the gate Palvon - Darvoza.
Madrassah of Allahkuli Khan (1834/35)
Madrassah of Kutlug Murad Inaq (1804/12)
Tim and Caravan - Serai of AllahKuli Khan (19th c.)
Madrassah of Abdulla Khan (1865)
Mosque and Bath-Chambers of Anush Khan (1657).
Tash - Khauli (the palace of Allahkuli Khan)(1830/36)
Ak Mosque (1832/42).
Juma Mosque and Minaret (1788/89).
Mausoleum of Said Aloutdin (14th c.)
Madrassah of Mukhammad Amin Khan (1851/52)
Kalta Minor Minaret (1855)
Kunya Ark (1868/88)
Minaret of Tura Murat Tur (1888)
Madrassah of Mukhammad Rakhim Khan (1871)
Madrassah of Shergazi Khan (1718/20)
Baglandi Mosque (19th c.)
Madrassah of Arab Khan (1838).
Mausoleum of Allautdin Sheikh who died in 1303, in 1825 the building was thoroughly rebuilt.

SHAKHRISABZ
Shakhrisabz is the hometown of Timur the Great (1336-1405). Shakrisabz means, “Green city”. In the geographic part of the encyclopedia “A sea of mysteries of noble valor “ (the 17 th century) Makhmud ibn Vali wrote, -‘Kesh is a town in Mavara-al-Nahr. Thanks to the abundance of verdure and dazzling flowers it is known as Shakhrisabz. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the world; it has a good and attractive climate… In spring the luster and abundance of the verdure on the slopes reach such a degree they give one the impressionof a heavenly carpet having been laid … anemone and other flowers grow on the roofs pf houses and on the walls”. Shakhrisabz has preserved many outstanding monuments of the close of the 14 th and first half of the 15 th centuries (the golden age of medieval architecture), which were built by order of Timur, the emperor, and his grandson Ulughbek –“the throned scholar”. Shakhrisabz was where the finest oriental architects tried their best.

At present Shakhrisabz retains its historic boundary that is fixed by the remnants of the 14 th and 19 th century walls. However, the southern part was reduced in area due to the town walls being removed 450 m inwards. When Timur began to rebuild Shakhrisabz with amenities on a large scale in 1378-1379, the town was poise-walled with four gates and enriched with a moat, which was spanned with drawbridges. In the 14 th century the total length of the walls of Shakhrisabz equaled 5 km (the area of the town was 770x1730m).

The Ak-Saray Palace was laid in 1380. Its construction was associated with the fourth victorious campaign against Khorezm, when according to the chronicler Abd-ar Rezak Samarqandi, Timur “gave orders to move everyone, who might be of use, from Khorezm to Mavara-al-Nahr and lodge them in Kesh (Shakhrisabz). The masters from Khoresm erected a high palace, which became known as Aka-Saray (“White palace”). The palace made a tremendous impression on its contemporaries, “Nobody in the world has seen or perceived anything like it…” the historian Nizameddin Shami wrote, who was the author of “Zafar-name” (“Book of victories”).

The portal, which still exists, shows that the Palace was built in forms that were typical of Timur's times, which were striking for their grandness and refined ornamentation, specimens of which can be seen to this day on the portal. All that remains of the grand edifice are two separate pylons of the entrance portal, that were once joined together with an arch-one of the biggest of its kind in Central Asia . Its span equaled 22.5 m, while the biggest portal arches of other buildings of Timur's didn't exceed 18.5 m. The pylons were flanked with round minarets on a trimmed foundation. The portal is 38 m high, though before the ravak (which crowned the archway) deteriorated its height was 70 m, which tops a modern 20-storey building.

The effect of immensity is produced by the firmness of the bricks that is faced throughout with ornaments of mosaic. The vast planes of the arch and angular minarets are faced with geometric ornaments of brick mosaic, which stand out in the form of blue belts against a background of ground bricks and blue inscription of Arabic Cufic script. The filigree mosaic fretwork on the walls of Ak-Saray is marvelous, presenting a composition of lines, thick and pure paint, and mosaic of “khaft-rangi” (seven colors): violet-blue, bright-green, ochre-gold, milky-light blue, gilt and white interspersed with brown-red. The historical and religious inscriptions of mosaic and majolica were arranged in intricate designs of shoots, flowers and leaves.

The name of the Palcae had nothing to do with its color (A-Saray menas “ White Palace ), but with its elegance and grandness. Among the inscriptions expressed in verse on the frontage there is the date of the completion of the structure – 798 hejira (16/X-1395-5/X-1396). The palace took 20 years to build. The Spanish envoy Rui Gozales de Clavijo, having traveled via Shakhrisabz in 1404, found it still under construction.

According to contemporaries, the Palace was a vast ensemble of dwellings and public buildings grouped together in a few courtyards. Babur affirmed that the principal domed edifice for meetings of the State Council (Divan) was located on the axis of the main courtyard; the tavadjibeks and divanbeks- halls where the counselors used to assemble- were arranged laterally. The courtyard was spanned with an arcade that led to the guests' halls and living quarters. Clavijo described the Emir's chambers as being decorated with exceptional splendor. He also mentioned the magnificient parks and gardens attached to the dwelling part of the Place.

The diverse designs of mosaic tile corduroys under the canopy of the roofed galleries and premises surrounding the main courtyard (which were discovered by archeologists and restores of Uzbekistan in recent years) testify to the originality of the decoration of the Palace.

Dorussaodat. These two individual monuments- a high mausoleum with a conic dome, known as “Khazrati Imom”, and a subterranean burial-vault- are 40 m apart. At first sight it is difficult to imagine any connection between them. However, the ancient times they formed a part of the Dorussaodat memorial, which was to serve as Timurs burial-vault.

Dorussaodat means “a receptacle of authority and might”. Timur's court chronicler Sharafiddin Ali Yazdiy, recounting the events of 1394, wrote: “… And on the right side and on the left side of the front of the building Timur gave orders to erect khasirs (fences) and burial-vaults for Emir-Zade Jakhangir and other descendants and nobility”. Timur's eldest son Jakhangir died in 1376 at the age of 20. His corpse was removed to Shakhrisabz where masters from Khorezm erected a burial-vault on Timur's instructions: “and extremely high building which beautified Dilkesh”. Jakhangir's mausoleum laid the foundation for Dorussaodat and was included in the north pylon of the entrance portal at the close of the 14 th –turn of the 15 th centuries. A crypt , intended for Timur's interment, was laid on the axis of the edifice. At all events Timur was buried in the Gur-Emir mausoleum in Samarkand . The crypt in Dorussaodat was left unfinished, but the building functioned all the same. “This mosque and chapel are magnificently and gorgeously decorated with gold, lapis lazuli and tiles; a big courtyard with trees and reservoirs was attached to it”- Clavijo wrote, who was well entertained with meat and fruit.

Possibly there were assembly halls (jamaatkhona), a mosque, a library, dwelling cells (khujras) for visitors, a refectory and kitchen for preparing ceremonial dishes. The construction of compact major structures for various purposes was an achievement of 14 th century architects. The creative search of local architects in alliance with new comers led to a new quality of designing on the basis of synthesis of traditions of the peoples of Central Asia and neighboring countries. The purpose of memorials varied: for example Dorussaodat had the combination of a court, like a madrassah, according to Clavijo.

The magnificent edifice was ruined in the second half of the 16 th century. All that was left of the surface part is Jakhangir's mausoleum. Three of its facades retained multi-color brick-mosaic facing of the portal arch in former times; the northern and southern ones were part of the exterior facades; a cylindrical minaret was erected in the north-western corner). In the east there are seen forms of the interior of adjacent premises with stalactite vaulted niches and marble panels.

HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENTS OF SHAKHRISABZ
Ak Saray Palace (1380-1404)
Dorus-saodat ensemble (XIV th c.)
Khazrati Imam mosque (XIV th c.)
Mausoleum of Jahongir ( XIV th c.)
Dorut Tilovat architectural complex: Kok Gumbaz Mosque (1435)
Gumbazi Saidon (XVth - XVIIth c.)
Shamseddin Kulyal’s Mausoleum and Necropolis (XV th c.)

TERMEZ
Termez is one of the most ancient cities of Uzbekistan . It's situated at the confluence of Surkhan darya and Amudarya rivers. Nearby, there is a site of ancient town Termez that existed already in the 3 rd -2 nd centuries B.C. The city was repeatedly subject to conquests and destructions experiencing the growth and decline.

The modern Termez came into being at the end of 19 th century as a result of Pattakesar village and a Russian military sentry confluence. Russian military sentry was located nearby the village. Termez is an important transport junction. It's a port of the Amu-Darya River . There are some archeological and architectural monuments at the environs of Termez. Among them, Kara-Tepa (the 4 th century B.C.-18 th century A.D.) and Fayaz-Tepa (the 4 th century B.C.) Buddhist temple complexes, the mausoleum of Khiakim at Termiziy (9 th - 12 th centuries), an ensemble of Sultan-Saodat (the 11 th -16 th centuries) is particularly interesting.

HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENTS OF TERMEZ:
Kyrk - Kyz (out of town Place Country Estate) (XI th - XIV th cc.)
Palace of Termez rulers (XI th - XII th cc.)
Architectural Complex of Khakim at Termezi (X th - XV th cc.)
Architectural ensemble Sultan - Saodat (X th - XVIII th cc.)
Kokildora Mausoleum - Khanaka (XVI th c.)
Kara - Tepe Monastery (2 - 4th cc. AD.)
Fayaz - Tepe Monastery (1 - 3 cc. AD)
Zurmala Tower(1-2 cc.AD.)

FERGHANA VALLEY
The Ferghana District is in the South of the Ferghana Valley. The wide Yazyavanskaya Steppe is fringed in the South with Altay Mountain Ridge foothills.

Dry continental climate, warm summer and mild winter are characteristics for the region. The region is known for the abundance of sunshine, forest oases, fantastic lines of mountain ridges covered by walnut - trees, cherries and apple trees. There are a lot of beautiful canyons with Tien - Shan spruces and fir trees there. Kokand - one of the most famous cities in Uzbekistan, formerly the capital of the powerful Kokand Khanate which once dominated the whole Ferghana Valley. At the late 19c. - early 20c. Kokand was the second biggest city after Tashkent and its population outnumbered all other regional centers.

The Palace of the last ruler Khudayar Khan is the most significant architectural monument of Kokand. The Khan Palace strikes by richness and the gorgeous decorations. The ornamentation of the Palace includes mosaics of small blaze bricks, Ghancha carvings and murals, woodcarvings. The Modarikhan Mausoleum, associated with the name of the poetess Nadira, is of interest as well. This is a small crypt with two minarets. Fate of Nadira - wife of the Kokand ruler and poet Umarkhan Amiri - was tragic: she was executed by the order of Nasrullah, the Bukhara Emir.

White Gazgan marble and bronze monument in the memory of the poetess was built not far from the Mausoleum. Ferghana, the capital of the Ferghana District, is the biggest industrial city in the Ferghana Valley. It was founded more than one hundred years ago by M.D. Skobelev, the first military governor, under the name of new Margilan. The exhibits of the local Natural History Museum, created in 1896 as a branch of Russian Geographical Society, are the living history of the city.

The Ferghana Valley is well known around the world by the Shakhimardan, Chimion Kizil - Tepa Resorts. There are several health and recreation centers for TB patients at the mountain resort of Shakhimardan. At Chimion balneological resort there are centers for healing the nervous system, intestinal diseases, rheumatism, etc. The Chimion hot springs and mineral waters are famous among the faithful as “Holy Springs” and they attract pilgrims from all over the Central Asia. Margilan one of the biggest cities of the Ferghana District, is the center of the famous Uzbek Silk, hand weaving, embroidery, wood and ghancha carving.

Historical and architectural monuments of Ferghana Valley:
Palace of Khudayar Khan, architectural complex (1870)
Gishtlik Mosque (1913)
Djami mosque and minaret (1809 - 1812)
Mulkabad Mosque (1913)
Dahman- Shakhon and Madarikhan Necropolises (the beginning of the 19th c.)
Madrassah of Said Ahmad Hadja(the Beginning of the 19th c.)
Chakar( Sholdirma ) Mosque (1911)
Mausoleum of Hodja Magiz (18th c)
Djami Complex (19th c)
Mullo Kyrgyz Madrassah ( the beginning of 20th c)
Mavlon Buva Memorial Complex(19th c.)
The ancient Settlement Akhsykent (the 2nd c. BC)

CHIMGAN
Travelling along this country , one can be really surprised by the variety and contrast of landscapes. Any direction changes your world: dunes of hot deserts take turn of oasis’s and valleys, where blue flowered gardens are blooming. Endless steppes smoothly turn into foothills and with the serpentines of mountain passes rising up to the eternal snow - capped peaks. Roaring mountain rivers are getting silent in plains and getting lost in the sands. Green lines of steppes take turn of dark - green carpets of deep forests, and then upper wildflower alpine meadows.

While it is hot summer in the valleys, it is always cool air at the mountains. To visit the Tourist Complex “Chimgan” - an unique possibility for any tourist to choose the holiday tours. “Chimgan” located in the picturesque spurs of the Chatkal range in the western spurs of Tien - Shan is situated in 80 km from the capital of the Uzbekistan - Tashkent. Suitable highways lead to the complex along mountain serpentine. Chimgan has the magical beauty in any time of the year. For an expert or beginner it is the best choice, because skiing season here continue from 20th of December to 5th of April. You can choose the most suitable route in assistance of experts.

Chimgan is the lovely training place of Liliya Cheryazova - the first Olympic Champion of Uzbekistan in winter sports. Exciting routes here attract not only tourists but experts of mountain skiing from Europe - Swiss, Austria, France… Heliskiing rotes are exciting and unique. Skiers start skiing down at the glaciers, where sunburn is wonderful, and it is not cold in summer clothes. Chimgan excites the nature amateurs with unique Ugham - Chatkal reserve. The reserve territory consists of two isolated sites: Bashkizilsay and Maydansay. The first site is located in the south - western spurs of the Chatkal Range. Larger and unspoiled other site located behind the range passes in the northern slopes of it. Besides, the plain territory of 122sq.km. sides with the reserve.

Ugham and Chatkal rivers have the international category, along which floating of sportsmen are arranging. They can be compared only to the full of rapids Colorado - so the experienced floatsmen from the USA, France, Chech Republic, England appraise the water routes along the Chimgan river. In addition to the mountain climbing, rafting, floating, along rivers and Heliskiing tours here are arranged special hunting tours for the amateurs of keen senses.

Tourists arrived at Chimgan for 10 or more days, after a short - term preparing for the route, can enjoy the climbing to the Big Chimgan Peak. A beginner or an expert in mountain climbing can choose the route according to his ability. There are 20 routes with the variety of difficulties blazed to the peak - from the 1st to the 4th category. Deltaplanerists are training and competing at the nearby mountains of the Big Chimgan. Here are all the conditions for tourists to feel the beauty of flying in the sky settled wind, high slopes with the wide valley at foothills.