World Guide

Uzbekistan

Country · Asia, Central Asia

Aral Sea
Pictured: Aral Sea · Photo: NASA, derivative work by Zafiroblue05 at en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia bordered by Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Its capital is Tashkent, and the country covers an area of 448,978 km2 with a population of about 37 million in 2025. It offers travellers a range of historical cities, architectural sights, and natural landmarks.

Highlights

The site covers 15 top sights across the country, including cities such as Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara. Key locations include the Registan, Gur-e-Amir, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda, Ulugh Beg Observatory, Afrasiyab, and Ak-Saray Palace in Samarkand, along with the Ark of Bukhara, Kukeldash Madrasah, Chor Minor, and Magok-i-Attari Mosque. Other sights are Itchan Kala, the Aral Sea, Tashkent Tower, and the Amir Timur Museum.

Food and drink

Local dishes include pilaf, tandyr nan, ajapsandali, dimlama, naryn, and shakarap.

When to go

The climate data is for the capital, Tashkent. January and February see daily highs of 5 °C to 7 °C and lows of -6 °C to -4 °C with 55 mm to 64 mm of rain. Temperatures rise through March and April to highs of 13 °C to 20 °C and lows of 1 °C to 6 °C. May brings highs of 25 °C and lows of 11 °C. Summer months from June to August are hot, with daily highs ranging from 31 °C to 34 °C and lows from 16 °C to 19 °C, with very little rain. September cools to a high of 28 °C and low of 12 °C. October and November bring highs of 13 °C to 20 °C and lows of 1 °C to 6 °C. December has a high of 7 °C and a low of -4 °C with 62 mm of rain.

Practical notes

The currency is the Uzbek som. The official language is Uzbek. Plugs are of type C, F, and I, with a voltage of 220 V. Driving is on the right side. The time zone is UTC+05:00.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Uzbekistan

  • Pilaf
  • Tandyr nan
  • Ajapsandali
  • Dimlama
  • Naryn
  • Shakarap

Top sights in Uzbekistan

  1. Aral SeaAral Sea
  2. Gur-e-AmirGur-e-AmirSamarkand
  3. RegistanRegistanSamarkand
  4. Bibi-Khanym MosqueBibi-Khanym MosqueSamarkand
  5. Ark of BukharaArk of BukharaBukhara
  6. Shah-i-ZindaShah-i-ZindaSamarkand
  7. Ulugh Beg ObservatoryUNESCOUlugh Beg ObservatorySamarkand
  8. Itchan KalaUNESCOItchan Kala
  9. AfrasiyabUNESCOAfrasiyabSamarkand
  10. Ak-Saray PalaceAk-Saray PalaceShakhrisabz
  11. Kukeldash MadrasahKukeldash MadrasahTashkent
  12. Chor MinorChor MinorBukhara
  1. Magok-i-Attari Mosque · Bukhara
  2. Tashkent Tower · Tashkent
  3. Amir Timur Museum · Tashkent

UNESCO sites in Uzbekistan →

Weather by month

The warmest month is July, with an average high of 34 °C. The wettest is March, with about 77 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C571320253134332820137
Average low, °C-6-417111619171361-4
Rainfall, mm556477664715637284762
Rainy days101011872111689

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Tashkent (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

Neighbouring countries and territories