Interesting facts about Uzbekistan
The article contains a selection of interesting facts about Uzbekistan, which, despite its geographical proximity to us, is for many a real mystery. We will try to slightly lift the veil of secrecy over this state.
1. Neighbors of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is the only country in the world, all countries whose neighbors end in the “camp”. In the east – Kyrgyzstan, in the north-east, north and north-west – Kazakhstan, in the south-west and south – Turkmenistan, in the south – Afghanistan, and in the south-east – Tajikistan. Uzbekistan, along with Liechtenstein, are the only countries in the world whose neighbors do not have access to the ocean.
2. The ancient city of Samarkand
Cities of Uzbekistan have a rich and long history. The most famous of them is the glorious city of Samarkand, one of the oldest cities in the world. It is listed by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) on the World Heritage List, as the “City – Crossroads of Cultures”.
In the Middle Ages, Samarkand was something of a “Silicon Valley”. Here were collected the most brilliant minds – scientists, philosophers. Samarkand was not only a “crossroads of cultures”, but also knowledge, religions, trade.
3. Ulugbek Observatory
One of the most important observatories in the world of the Middle Ages, built by Ulugbek in the years 1428-1429, is located near Samarkand. In this observatory in 1437 the Gurgan Zij was compiled, a catalog of the starry sky, in which more than one thousand stars were described. There was also determined the length of the star year: 365 days, 6 hours, 10 minutes, 8 seconds (with an error of + 58 seconds).
Author’s note: Ulugbek – Mohammed Taragay ibn Shahrukh ibn Timur Ulugbek Guragan, an eminent mathematician, astronomer, educator and poet of his time, was also interested in history and poetry. He founded one of the most important observatories of the Middle Ages.
4. Great Avicenna
Abu Ali ibn Sina, known in the west as Avicenna, a scientist, philosopher and doctor was born in the village of Afshana, located 30 kilometers northeast of Bukhara. He wrote over 450 works in 29 fields of science. Avicenna left a huge legacy: books on medicine, logic, physics, mathematics and other sciences.
5. Century trees
There are many places where old trees grow. Uzbekistan is no exception. In the area of Altyaryk in the village of Pungan in the Fergana region, a magnificent thick spreading elm with a lush crown flourishes, it is almost 500 years old. The height of this tree is 40 meters, and the trunk is more than 6 meters in diameter.
6. Curse of the grave of Tamerlane
Tamerlane – the great commander and conqueror, who played a significant role in history, was born in the village of Khoja-Ilgar, Kesh (now Shakhrisabz, Uzbekistan). About him tell a lot of fascinating legends. One of the most famous legends is the curse of the grave of Tamerlane. According to legend, after the opening of the grave of Tamerlane, a great and terrible war should begin. Indeed, on June 20, 1941 in Samarkand, Soviet archeologists conducted an autopsy on the tomb, two days before the start of the Great Patriotic War.
7. Chashma-i-Ayub Mausoleum
One of the most beautiful monuments of Uzbekistan is the Chashma-i-Ayub mausoleum. There are many legends and assumptions of the creation of this holy place. According to one of them, during a severe drought, the prophet Ayyub struck the place of the current mausoleum with a staff, and in an instant a spring appeared at this place. Thus, this place has received the name of the Cashma, “spring”. The water in it to this day maintains purity, and is considered healing by the people.
8. Ichan-Kala – a unique city-monument
The historical inner city of Khiva *, surrounded by powerful walls, Ichan-Kala became the first UNESCO World Heritage Site (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in Central Asia. Hundred-year-old fantastic monuments of architecture, fortifications, palaces, mosques, minarets, caravanserais and mausoleums turned Ichan-Kala into a unique historical landmark.
Author’s note: Khiva is a city in the Khorezm region of Uzbekistan.
9. Dinosaur Footprints
In Uzbekistan, on the slopes of the Gissargsky Range, clear traces of dinosaurs have been found. According to scientists, these tracks are over 75 million years old.
10. Pyramids exist in Uzbekistan
It was believed that the pyramids exist only in Egypt and Mexico. As it turned out, not only there. Pyramids with a height of about 15 meters were found in the remote mountain gorges of Samarkand and Kashkadarya. These are real quadrangular pyramids made of stone, but, in contrast to already known ones, not stepped, but smooth. Their age is approximately 2000-2700 years.
Despite the fact that we have listed only 10 interesting facts about this amazing and rich in culture of the country, we are confident that by visiting Uzbekistan, you will certainly add to this list with your own impressions.
